Cross‐sectional survey of the disaster preparedness of nurses across the Asia–Pacific region

Healthcare workers who have received disaster preparedness education are more likely to report a greater understanding of disaster preparedness. However, research indicates that current nursing curricula do not adequately prepare nurses to respond to disasters. This is the first study to assess Asia–Pacific nurses' perceptions about their level of disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 757 hospital and community nurses in seven Asia–Pacific countries. Data were collected using the modified Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool. Participants were found to have overall low‐to‐moderate levels of disaster knowledge, skills and preparedness, wherein important gaps were identified. A majority of the variance in disaster preparedness scores was located at the level of the individual respondent, not linked to countries or institutions. Multilevel random effects modelling identified disaster experience and education as significant factors of positive perceptions of disaster knowledge, skills, and management. The first step toward disaster preparedness is to ensure frontline health workers are able to respond effectively to disaster events. The outcomes of this study have important policy and education implications.     

Safety,risk, and aggression: Health professionals’ experiences of caring for people affected by methamphetamine when presenting for emergency care

The crystalline form of methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth (crystal methamphetamine) or ICE, is a highly‐addictive and powerful stimulant. Users of crystal meth often require emergency care, and are associated with a substantial burden of care by emergency care providers. The aim of the present qualitative study was to explore health professionals’ experiences of providing care for patients affected by ICE who presented to the emergency department (ED). Nine semistructured interviews were conducted. The major theme, ‘staying safe’, was revealed, in which participants described their experiences of being exposed to potentially unsafe situations, and their responses to challenging behaviours, including aggression. The findings highlight the need for ED staff to understand the nature of ICE use and its adverse impact on the mental and physical health of users. Furthermore, it is clear that establishing and maintaining safety in the emergency care setting is of utmost importance, and should be a priority for health‐care managers.     

Web resource appraisal process (WRAP): A framework to establish critically appraised nursing knowledge—an active web based learning exercise

There have been dramatic advances in Internet technology in the past 10 years. However, for the Internet to reach its full potential for nursing practice and education, improvements in the quality and accessibility of health care information on the Internet are needed.This paper describes the development of a Web Resource Appraisal Process (WRAP).The WRAP consists of a template and series of online tutorials designed to facilitate the development of online resources for nursing. The WRAP can be described as a content focused authoring tool. The WRAP directs users through a range of high quality international health websites and databases in order to collect information related to specific practice areas. The WRAP then provides an ordered structure for the presentation of this information in an online format.The WRAP is a website with three main functions. Firstly, it is a teaching and learning resource promoting interactive learning using online resources. Secondly, the WRAP promotes the application of research evidence to practice by providing a standardised framework for the critical review of information resources. Thirdly, the WRAP provides a mechanism for the collaborative documentation of nursing knowledge.This paper concludes by discussing implications of the WRAP for the development, documentation and dissemination of knowledge across the health professions.     

Motivations to nurse: An exploration of what motivates students in Pacific Island countries to enter nursing

The aim of this study was to explore the motivations of student nurses enrolled in nursing courses across a variety of Pacific Island countries. The image of nursing, the desire to help others, family and friends in the profession, personal experience, security, travel opportunities and flexibility have all been identified as motivators for people to enter nursing. To date, what motivates students in Pacific Island countries to enrol in a nursing course has not been investigated. An exploratory qualitative approach using focus group interviews with 152 nursing students was undertaken. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis, revealing four themes: (i) helping others; (ii) ‘making a difference for my people’; (iii) following in the footsteps of others; and (iv) financial and professional gain. In a time of health and nursing workforce shortages, developing a deeper understanding of what drives people can be used to improve recruitment strategies in the future.     

An overview of structuration theory and its usefulness for nursing research

Abstract  Anthony Giddens' theory of structuration is a theory of social action, which claims that society should be understood in terms of action and structure; a duality rather than two separate entities. This paper introduces some of the central characteristics of structuration theory, presenting a conceptual framework that helps to explore how people produce the systems and structures that shape their practice. By understanding how people produce and reproduce structures, then there is the potential for changing them. Criticisms that have been raised about the theory are introduced, followed by examples of how the theory might be useful to nursing research. Structuration theory can be employed to explore how nurses produce, reproduce, and transform nursing practice through social interaction across time and space.