Improving the quality of clinical training in maternal and neonatal health in undergraduate nursing students: a participatory action research.

BACKGROUND: Improving the quality of clinical training is synonymous with accomplishing nursing education goals and improving the quality of nursing care. This study aimed to improve the quality of clinical training in Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) in nursing students. METHODS: This action research was conducted in two cycles from June 2017 to June 2018. The study setting was the School of Nursing and Midwifery of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in southwest Iran. The participants were nursing students, faculty members, clinical trainers, educational managers, and teaching personnel. In the first cycle, semi-structured interviews were held with stakeholders to identify clinical problems and improvement strategies. Based on the results of these sessions, the changes needed to improve the quality of clinical training were planned and implemented. The weaknesses and strengths of the implemented changes were then identified through group discussions with the stakeholders. In the second cycle, a second plan was carried out to correct the weaknesses of the changes planned in the first cycle, and the modifications were implemented and evaluated. RESULTS: The main three categories extracted included an unsystematic curriculum and inadequate monitoring, inadequate resources and facilities, and the student's lack of motivation. The measures taken for improvement included holding communication workshops, developing and internalizing logbooks, reducing the number of students in clinical training groups, using modern clinical training methods, and changing clinical evaluation methods. CONCLUSION: Improving communication skills among the students, trainers, and hospital personnel and using modern clinical training methods, such as conceptual maps, triple jumps, and clinical skill centers, are the best strategies for improving clinical training in MNH nursing students.

Factors affecting nurses' retention in Iranian hospitals.

AIM: This research was conducted to study the factors affecting nurses' retention in Iranian hospitals. BACKGROUND: Health care systems should pay attention to their human resources' retention to deliver health care services and maintain their organizational values. This issue becomes more significant when we consider the human and financial limitations in place. METHOD: Data were analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis based on the model developed by Elo and Kyngäs. Forty-two managers and nurses were selected by purposive sampling. Data were obtained through 45 semi-structured interviews until data saturation was reached. RESULTS: The data analysis resulted in four main categories and 17 subcategories. The main categories included dignity and respect, ethics and spirituality, empathy, and flourishing. The main theme extracted was 'maternal management'. CONCLUSION: The present study proposes 'maternal management' as a strategy to increase the retention of nurses.

Comparing the Concept of Caring in Islamic Perspective with Watson and Parse's Nursing Theories.

BACKGROUND: In the nursing profession, it is apparent that the definition of caring differs between various perspectives. This article compares the difference of caring in Islamic with the Parse and Watson theories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we use concept analyses of Walker-Avants and compare research methods. Material used is all Islamic documents. RESULTS: According to Islamic documents, there are four major types of caring, namely, (1) God taking care of humans, (2) Humans taking care of themselves, (3) Other humans taking care of humans, and (4) The universe taking care of humans and vice versa. God caring for humans affects the three other types of caring. All three definitions of caring have humanistic and holistic view. According to Watson's and Parse's definition, the development of the caring theory is based on the person's experiences that result from human interactions with, and experiences of, their environment. In Islamic definition, although the caring process is affected by environmental experiences and interactions, human not developed only base the effect of environment; rather, it is developed on the basis of human nature and divine commands. God taking care of humans is specific to Islamic perspective and is not found in other definitions. Islamic perspective maintains that God is the creator of humanity and is in charge of guiding humans. A superior form of human can always be discovered. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, nursing implementation in Muslims must be done based on Islamic commands, and Islamic commands are superior to human experiences. However, Islamic commands interpreted with human wisdom and thought can be striving toward excellence.