The Aftermath of Suicide: A Qualitative Study With Guyanese Families.

INTRODUCTION: The suicide rate in Guyana was five times higher than the world average in 2014 (WHO) which puts Guyana at the top of the list with 44.2 per 100,000 people, the highest suicide rate in the world. For every completed suicide, there are survivors who experience high levels of psychological, physical, and social distress, and report feelings of guilt, shame, social stigma, and search for meaning. AIM: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how family members coped and understand the suicide of their loved one, and to determine what resources were available to help them during this transition. METHOD: Ten family members were recruited to participate in a focus group. The focus group lasted approximately 90 min and was recorded. The audio recordings were later transcribed. RESULTS: Four overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) perceived causes of suicide, (2) perceived solutions, (3) barriers to helping persons who are suicidal, and (4) personal and community reactions to suicide. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses in Guyana are uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in creating and implementing postvention programs for suicide survivors that are culturally and ethnically relevant. Opportunities to partner with schools of nursing in higher income countries are explored.

RELIGION & CARE INTERTWINED; NURSING IN CATHOLIC HOSPITALS 1950-1965.

This qualitative study explores how Catholicism influenced nursing in Catholic hospitals and how nurses met the religious needs of Catholic patients in the 1950s and early 1960s. Six nurses were interviewed who graduated from Catholic schools of nursing between 1952 and 1965 and worked in Catholic hospitals. Results indicate that nursing care was inexorably entwined with meeting the religious needs of Catholic patients. Religious practices were predictable and largely linked to the Holy Sacraments.

Nursing assessment of deep vein thrombosis.

The seriousness of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its accompanying morbidity and mortality make early and accurate diagnosis of key importance. Best clinical practice is supported by the use of a clinical decision model that determines risk based on predisposing factors and certain clinical signs and symptoms.

Nursing students' experiences with incivility in clinical education.

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of nursing students as targets of incivility in clinical settings, to describe their perceptions of specific uncivil and favorable behaviors by nurses, and to examine how nursing students think schools of nursing should address incivility in clinical settings. Four focus groups were conducted comprising 21 prelicensure nursing students. Data were collected with semi-structured interviews. Uncivil behaviors fell into three themes: exclusionary, hostile or rude, and dismissive. Positive experiences occurred when students felt included by the staff nurses in patient care. Schools of nursing should prepare students through discussion. Our research suggests that incivility occurs in clinical education. Further research on a larger scale is needed to provide qualitative and generalizable findings. All health care team members, including students, should be educated about the organization's code of conduct.

Caring for migrant farm workers on medical-surgical units.

Over 3 million migrant farm workers are employed in the United States. Many factors place them at risk for work-related disease and injury. Knowledge of workers' health issues can prepare medical-surgical nurses to anticipate and meet the needs of this underserved population.

Three-Generation Academic Mentoring Teams: A New Approach to Faculty Mentoring in Nursing.

BACKGROUND: New faculty are often not prepared for a career in academia, and the transition can be challenging. They often come from practice environments where work expectations are clearly delineated. PROBLEM: Traditional mentoring programs typically pair new with experienced faculty members who are expected to provide guidance and advice. Results of the hierarchical dyad method have been mixed. APPROACH: Three generations of faculty formed a team composed of a tenured, a midcareer, and a new faculty member. The midcareer educator was better suited to help the novice prepare to teach, as they had recently been through the process, whereas the tenured faculty member was able to provide scholarship support to both. CONCLUSIONS: Providing new faculty with 2 mentors in a constellation format, along with the opportunity to network during structured mentoring meetings, contributed to a smooth onboarding of new faculty and provided scholarship support for the midcareer faculty member.

Health assessment in a 2-week intensive format for second-degree baccalaureate nursing students.

The proliferation of second-degree baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States has led to a critical need for effective strategies to meet the unique learning needs of this group of students. This article describes an innovative approach to delivery of a health assessment course for accelerated nursing students.

Relationships among nurse staffing, adherence to practice guidelines, and patient outcomes in the treatment of hypoglycemia.

BACKGROUND: Despite a growing body of research that suggests a relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes, little is known about the mediators of this relationship. Understanding the unique contribution of nursing in achieving patient outcomes is important for policy recommendations and quality improvement initiatives. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of registered nurse (RN) staffing and RN adherence to practice guidelines as a possible mediator of the nurse staffing-patient outcome relationship. METHOD: A retrospective, correlational design was used to examine the relationships among nurse staffing, nurse adherence to practice guidelines, and patient outcomes in the treatment of hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients. DISCUSSION: Adherence to practice guidelines was low. Nurse staffing was not found to be related to RN adherence to practice guidelines in the treatment of hypoglycemia. Skill mix at 1 study hospital was found to be related to total number of hypoglycemic episodes. Notification of the physician was significantly related to a subsequent change in medication.

Health needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) are a vital component of the U.S. agricultural industry. Despite their important contributions, MSFW are known to be a marginalized population who live in poverty and have poor health indicators. The purpose of this study was to gain a fuller understanding of family composition, employment, migration patterns, health issues and service needs of MSFW in 3 counties in northwest Michigan. The participants were mainly migrant (63%), and men (55%) with an average age of 34.4 years. Educational levels of the sample were low, with 56% reporting 6th grade or below, and an additional 7% reporting no formal education. The majority was originally from Mexico (75%), and Spanish was the first language of 79% of the farmworkers represented in the survey. Work-related health problems and chronic illness were the most commonly perceived health problems and the most commonly requested service was dental. This study adds to the body of knowledge related to farm worker health needs and provides direction for the provision of appropriate health care to this population.

Hypoglycemia in hospitalized adults.

Hypoglycemia is a commonly occurring iatrogenic event in hospitalized patients. Nurses play an important role in the detection, treatment, and prevention of hypoglycemia. The literature regarding hypoglycemia in hospitalized adults and implications for nursing practice is reviewed.

Treatment of hypoglycemia in hospitalized adults: a descriptive study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe hypoglycemia treatment patterns in 2 Midwestern hospitals. METHODS: To describe hypoglycemia treatment patterns, a retrospective chart review of 210 patients who experienced hypoglycemia while hospitalized at 2 Midwestern hospitals was conducted. A total of 484 episodes of hypoglycemia were analyzed for adherence to the 5 steps of the practice guidelines found in the respective hospital policy manuals. RESULTS: Adherence to practice guidelines was low. There was not a single case of adherence to all 5 steps at either study hospital. Adherence to the steps of the guidelines ranged from a low of 2.1% for completion of a 1-hour post-hypoglycemia treatment blood glucose to a high of 70.9% for documentation of the event. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to hypoglycemia practice guidelines was low. Because of the high prevalence of diabetes in acute care settings, it is imperative that hospital care providers become proficient at basic diabetes management.