Accountability: a core concept for primary nursing

Summary

• ? The aim of this paper is to explore how the theoretical definitions of accountability might be put into practice within a structure of primary nursing.
• ? Bergman's preconditions leading to accountability (1981) are discussed with respect to traditional ward organization and contrasted with primary nursing. The size of the case-load is identified as a significant factor in the way and the depth with which the concept is operationalized.
• ? Adaptations to nursing roles are necessary in order to facilitate accountability in action. The primary nurse is given authority as both case manager and line manager. The ward manager role changes to focus on resource management and developmental need.
• ? Changes of this nature lead to accountability being viewed in a positive light and an abstract concept becoming grounded in reality.

     

Noticing orthopaedic nursing through the eyes of a work experience student

This paper describes the personal experience of a young person seeing orthopaedic nursing for the first time during a two week work experience placement. Using a diary the author reflects on what she ‘noticed,’ identifying and commenting on important events through the eyes of a novice.     

The role of the mental health nursing leadership

holm a.l. & severinsson e. (2010) Journal of Nursing Management 18, 463–471
The role of the mental health nursing leadership Aim The aim of the present study was to illuminate what the mental health nursing (MHN) leader needs in order to develop her/his leadership role. Background MHN leadership has tended to focus on the nature of the care provided rather than the development of the role. Method This literature review (1998–2008) examines papers from the past decade by means of a synthesis of empirical studies. Results Three themes emerged:

• • clarifying role expectations and areas for development at the same time as increasing the influence on patients with mental health problems;
• • using evidence-based practice to implement improvements and organizational change in mental health; and
• • employing communication skills as well as supporting, nurturing and empowering others.

Conclusion This review provided evidence that the MHN leader needs various skills in order to make enlightened changes that can meet the needs of both patients and staff. Implications for nursing management The MHN leader needs to explore the range of tasks involved in leadership in order to define role expectations and areas for development. These areas include enhancing patient care; reliance on team work; and attending to the personal life of the staff; increasing collaboration within the organization as well as with the community; utilizing the best available evidence; and communicating in order to improve the organization.     

国外护理人员遭受工作场所暴力的研究进展

从研究对象、研究方法以及研究涉及的内容等方面阐述了国外护理人员遭受工作场所暴力的研究进展。     

护理工作环境相关研究进展

本文从护理工作环境的含义、护理工作环境的测量、护理工作环境的相关理论以及与护理工作环境有关的研究进展等方面进行综述,旨在帮助医院及护理管理者了解国内外护理工作环境的相关进展,为进一步的研究和决策提供参考。     

实行月考核制 促进门诊护理工作

探讨对门诊护士长实行月考核制，调动护士长的工作积极性和主动性，挖掘其潜力，激发其热情和创造力，主动自觉抓好门诊护理工作。根据门诊工作特点，从“文明优质服务”“分诊工作”“门诊环境”“护理安全”“人员管理”“消毒隔离”6个方面将内容具体化，确定不同的考核要素分值进行护理质控。     

An exploratory study about meaningful work in acute care nursing

OBJECTIVE. To develop deeper understandings about nurses' perceptions of meaningful work and the contextual factors that impact finding meaning in work. BACKGROUND. Much has been written about nurses' job satisfaction and the impact on quality of health care. However, scant qualitative evidence exists regarding nurses' perceptions of meaningful work and how factors in the work environment influence their perceptions. The literature reveals links among work satisfaction, retention, quality of care, and meaningfulness in work. METHODS. Using a narrative design, researchers interviewed 13 public health nurses and 13 acute care nurses. Categorical‐content analysis with Atlas.ti data management software was conducted separately for each group of nurses. This article reports results for acute care nurses. RESULTS. Twenty‐four stories of meaningful moments were analyzed and categorized. Three primary themes of meaningful work emerged: connections, contributions, and recognition. Participants described learning‐focused environment, teamwork, constructive management, and time with patients as facilitators of meaningfulness and task‐focused environment, stressful relationships, and divisive management as barriers. Meaningful nursing roles were advocate, catalyst and guide, and caring presence. CONCLUSIONS. Nurse administrators are the key to improving quality of care by nurturing opportunities for nurses to find meaning and satisfaction in their work. Study findings provide nurse leaders with new avenues for improving work environments and job satisfaction to potentially enhance healthcare outcomes.     

Forensic psychiatric nursing care--nurses apprehension of their responsibility and work content: a Swedish survey

This questionnaire study aimed to investigate nurses' views regarding the areas of responsibility, work content and the theoretical perspectives found to dominate nursing duties in Swedish forensic care. The sample (n = 350) was chosen randomly from the five forensic units which provide treatment for patients in Sweden and there was a response rate of 70% (n = 246). The role of the nurses consisted mainly of actions related to activities of daily living (ADL)-activities. It is worth noting that, within the area of ADL-activities, practical work on the ward was the nurses' most common responsibility as well as work content. Less dominating aspects, were educating patients' families, leading group discussions with family or patients, co-operating with social authorities as well as activities related to life outside the unit. There were no significant differences with regard to gender but several differences between registered nurses (RNs) and licensed mental nurses (LMNs) were noted. There were mostly weak correlations between areas of responsibility or work content and theoretical perspectives. The results thus suggest that nurses in forensic care view their work to be mainly directed at patients' capacity for ADL-activities, medical psychiatric actions, informing and educating patients and families and assessing patients. An even greater emphasis on these aspects may be warranted because of the patients' serious deficits in social and life skills. It may be useful to consider an increased focus on a psycho-educational approach and to develop and test methods focusing on the development of patients' capacity for activities related to daily living in a broad sense. Further research is needed to investigate whether the aspects that dominate nursing care also coincide with what the patients apprehend as beneficial for their recovery.