Nurses' Perceptions of Pediatric Nursing Functions

The purpose of this study was to describe nurses' perceptions of the importance of pediatric nursing functions and to determine if there were differences in perceptions of nurses in managerial clinical and teaching positions Subjects were 125 pediatric nurses in managerial clinical and teaching positions Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 43 nursing functions on a 9-point scale ranging from highly important to not at all important Mean ratings of pediatric nursing functions were determined and one-way analyses of variance performed. The five nursing functions perceived to be most important were, in order of ranking (a) providing emotional support of children (b) recognizing significant physical deviations, (c) implementing nursing interventions (d) preparing children psychologically for procedures and surgery and (e) identifying nursing problems Significant differences were found between groups in perceptions of the importance of 23 nursing functions mainly in the areas of psychosocial care teaching and nursing process Most differences were between the teaching and managerial groups or between teaching and the managerial and clinical groups combined Differences in perceptions of the importance of a number of nursing functions though not great suggest a need for more dialogue between managers teachers and clinicians.     

Sexual Harassment Policies in Florida School Districts

ABSTRACT: Until recently, little attention has focused on the sexual harassment that occurs in primary and secondary schools. Several school-related lawsuits and study results heightened awareness of the issue. This study investigated the extent to which Florida's school districts complied with the Florida Department of Education's (FDOE) recommendation and guidelines for addressing sexual harassment in schools. District equity coordinators were surveyed regarding policy development, implementation, promotion, education, and effects. Policies were collected for analysis. Most districts responded to the strong encouragement of the FDOE and approved a sexual harassment policy incorporating many of the suggested components. However, policies included only basic information when compared with suggestions from the literature. Results suggest problems with sexual harassment will continue due to lack of efforts in promoting awareness of the policy and education about the issue, which scholars insist are necessary for effectiveness     

Nurses' Perceptions of Pediatric Nursing Functions

The purpose of this study was to describe nurses' perceptions of the importance of pediatric nursing functions and to determine if there were differences in perceptions of nurses in managerial clinical and teaching positions Subjects were 125 pediatric nurses in managerial clinical and teaching positions Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 43 nursing functions on a 9-point scale ranging from highly important to not at all important Mean ratings of pediatric nursing functions were determined and one-way analyses of variance performed. The five nursing functions perceived to be most important were, in order of ranking (a) providing emotional support of children (b) recognizing significant physical deviations, (c) implementing nursing interventions (d) preparing children psychologically for procedures and surgery and (e) identifying nursing problems Significant differences were found between groups in perceptions of the importance of 23 nursing functions mainly in the areas of psychosocial care teaching and nursing process Most differences were between the teaching and managerial groups or between teaching and the managerial and clinical groups combined Differences in perceptions of the importance of a number of nursing functions though not great suggest a need for more dialogue between managers teachers and clinicians.     

School Nurses'' Perceptions of Childhood Obesity

A random sample of 250 nurses from the American School Health Association membership were sent a questionnaire concerning childhood obesity; 88% responded. Most (85%) believed normal weight was important to children's health and that school nurses should be role models by maintaining normal weight (77%). Most also believed counseling children and their parents about weight loss was difficult (71%) and that schools need to do more to alleviate childhood obesity (65%). At least 75% believed all schools should offer a comprehensive health curriculum with units on nutrition and weight control. Likewise, all schools should eliminate "junk food" machines and make special low-calorie lunches available. Only 25% felt competent to prescribe weight loss programs for children, and only 30% found counseling about weight loss professionally gratifying. One-fourth believed, that with proper guidance, children could lose significant amounts of weight or maintain that weight loss. The nurses believed in the importance of normal weight, but appeared skeptical of children's abilities to lose weight as well as their own abilities to provide children with guidance to do so. Finally, they perceived a need for schools to be more active and involved in dealing with childhood obesity.     

School Counselors'' Perceptions of Adolescent Homosexuals

Data from a national survey of secondary school counselors (N = 289) were collected regarding their perceptions of adolescent homosexuality. Most counselors underestimated the prevalence of homosexual adolescents. Almost one in five counselors reported that counseling a homosexual student concerning gay issues would not be professionally gratifying, and 20% thought they were not very competent in counseling gay adolescents. One-fourth of the school counselors reported that teachers seem to exhibit significant prejudice toward homosexual students, and 41% believed schools are not doing enough to help gay students adjust to their school environment. Perceptions of adolescent homosexuality did not vary by gender, age, or education level of the counselors.     

Variables Affecting High School Students’ Perceptions of School Foodservice

Objective To determine if student satisfaction with high school foodservice is directly related to participation in the foodservice.

Design A valid and reliable survey was conducted in a variety of classes such as English, history, and health science in grades 9 through 12, representing students aged 13 through 19 years. Students were asked 38 questions concerning variety of food, food quality, foodservice staff, aesthetics of the serving and dining area, and demographics.

Subjects/setting The study was conducted with 1,823 students from 9 schools representing 4 geographic regions.

Statistical analysis Stepwise multiple regression was used to determine the independent variables (attributes desired by the students) that most highly correlated with the dependent variable (satisfaction with the school foodservice overall).

Results Variables most highly correlated with overall satisfaction were variety of food offered, flavor of food, attractiveness of food on the serving line, staff smiling and greeting students, quality of food choices, choices that allow students to meet cultural and ethnic preferences, courteousness of the staff, and quality of ingredients. Variety of food offered was the best predictor of satisfaction. A statistically significant difference was found (P<.01) between groups that never ate school lunch and those that ate school lunch 3 to 5 times per week on dining ambiance, food quality, and staff. The results indicate that satisfaction with foodservice is associated with purchase behavior in school foodservice programs.

Applications School foodservice and nutrition programs are critically important for providing nutrition to millions of our future leaders. Today it is not enough to prepare healthful, good-tasting food. High school students are sophisticated and are exposed at an early age to a variety of dining experiences including fast foods, ethnic cuisine, and fine dining. These factors have influenced the attributes students use to evaluate school foodservice. To maintain participation levels and financial stability, school foodservice professionals should evaluate student satisfaction with food quality, variety, and other variables that affect overall satisfaction and participation. These data may then be incorporated into continuous quality improvement and strategic planning. Marketing must be incorporated into the strategic plan to influence student participation. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:1424–1428,1431.     

Elementary School Principals'' Perceptions of Childhood Obesity

This survey assessed school principals' perceptions regarding childhood obesity and the schools' role in dealing with the problem. A randomly selected group of 300 school principals was obtained from the National Association of Elementary School Principals; 227 (76%) administrators returned the questionnaire. Fifty-one percent of the principals believed normal weight was important to child health. Although 35% believed schools were not doing enough to alleviate childhood obesity, responses suggested principals oppose schools becoming obesity treatment centers. They do not believe teachers or parents would support such programs. They perceived the school's role to be educational and referral in nature. However, they supported elimination of "junk food" machines (71%) and provision of low calorie lunches (60%). They believed school nurses play the most important role in treating childhood obesity at school.     

中小学领导对学生营养午餐的认识和需求

目的了解中小学领导对学生营养午餐的认识以及学校开展营养午餐存在的问题和困难，为我国学校营养午餐的实施和推广提供科学依据。方法利用深度访谈的方法，对北京、上海等9个城市的33名中小学主管领导进行访谈。结果学校主管领导普遍认识到学生营养问题的重要性，一些校长认为应将营养午餐纳入素质教育之中，但也有少数校长对学生营养午餐持消极态度。学校在开展营养午餐时遇到一些问题和困难，需要社会各方面支持和帮助。结论学校主管领导应加强营养知识的学习，提高对营养午餐的了解。教育、卫生等行政部门应组织相关人员认真总结现有经验，加强对营养餐的系统研究，使学生营养午餐的开展得到科学的指导。     

High School Students'' Perceptions and Misperceptions of AIDS

This study examines the knowledge, beliefs, and sources of information of junior and senior high school students concerning AIDS. The students were found to have a very limited knowledge of AIDS. Males were more knowledgeable about AIDS than were females, but the majority of students were not personally worried about contracting AIDS. The primary sources of AIDS information were TV, newspapers, magazines, and radio. Schools were one of the least often mentioned sources of information.     

High School Students' Perceptions of Nonconsensual Sexual Activity

ABSTRACT: A total of 588 secondary students completed a 25-item survey on perceptions regarding nonconsensual sexual activity. Subjects included an equal percentage of males and females and were predominately White (61%), freshmen (67%), and of lower academic achievement (<3.0 GPA = 57%). Females, African Americans, and those with low academic achievement were more likely to perceive that all or most of their same sex peers were having sex. African American students and those with low academic achievement were significantly more likely than White students and students with high academic achievement (>3.0 GPA) to perceive that all or most of their close friends were having sex. Females were more knowledgeable of nonconsensual sexual activity than were males. Significant differences existed on attitudes and behavioral intentions by gender, race, academic achievement, and perceived sexual activity of close friends.