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.

The effectiveness of familiar olfactory stimulation with lavender scent and glucose on the pain of blood sampling in term neonates: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Neonates are exposed to multiple painful invasive procedures. Pain management in neonates is an ethical and important task for nurses. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of familiar olfactory stimulation with lavender scent and glucose on the pain of blood sampling in term neonates. DESIGN: A randomized, single blind clinical trial. SETTING: Hashemi Nezhad Hospital (Mashhad, Iran). INTERVENTION: Before and during blood sampling, one group was exposed to the scent of lavender (n = 40), the second group received 2 ml of edible glucose 30 % (n = 40), two minutes before the blood sampling, and the third group received no specific intervention (n = 40). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Simultaneously with needle insertion, the Douleur Aigue du Nouveau-ne (DAN) scale was used to calculate the pain score. The duration of crying (in seconds) was measured from start to end (silence). RESULTS: The study participants' mean age was 5.49 ± 2.13 days; 60 % of them were girls, and 65.8 % had the gestational age of 38-39 weeks. The mean pain scores were 4.47 ± 1.81, 4.80 ± 1.92, and 5.97 ± 1.94 in the aromatherapy group, the glucose group, and the control group respectively (p < 0.001). No significant difference was recorded between the groups regarding the crying time (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that use of aromatherapy with lavender and edible glucose as easy and applicable nursing care can reduce the pain of blood sampling in term neonates and can be considered as effective interventions in neonate pain management, although more research is recommended.

Efficacy of a written prayer technique on the anxiety of mothers of children with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a written prayer technique on the anxiety of mothers of children with cancer. METHOD: This clinical trial recruited 90 mothers of children with cancer admitted to the Medical Centre of Tehran. Using a convenience sampling method, we randomly assigned the participants to two groups: control (n = 45) and intervention (n = 45). Data were collected through the Spielberger's anxiety scale and a demographic questionnaire. Maternal anxiety was measured before the intervention, immediately after the three-day intervention, and five weeks after the intervention. We used a writing technique in the intervention and control groups for 20 minutes over three consecutive days. In the intervention group, participants wrote down their sincere desires and wishes that they demanded from God without any worry or stress. The control group spent 20 minutes writing their normal daily schedules; for example, feeding their children or changing their children's clothes. During the three consecutive days of intervention, we asked both groups not to worry about grammar or spelling errors. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.ResultA statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (intervention and control mean, 34.9 ± 9.9 and 47.9 ± 16.2, respectively) relative to anxiety after the intervention (p < 0.001). After five weeks, the intervention group continued to exhibit significantly reduced anxiety compared with the control group (intervention and control mean, 34.7 ± 9.6 and 48.5 ± 16.4; p < 0.001).Significance of resultsThe written prayer technique appears to be an effective, efficient, cost-effective, and practical method for reducing anxiety in mothers of children with cancer.

A Concept Analysis of Spiritual Health.

Spiritual health is an important dimension of health and forms part of a comprehensive care. This study was conducted to redefine and clarify the components of spiritual health based on different worldviews through Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. Being given a life and a soul and having beliefs are the antecedents of spiritual health. The attributes of this concept include a morality-oriented intellectual connectedness with the self, others, and the universe guided by a connection with the Transcendent and Superior being in order to create meaning in life and find its purpose in the context of culture and religion; transcendence is ultimately the consequence of spiritual heath. Using the attributes appeared in this conceptual analysis, nurses can evaluate the spiritual health of their clients and help them create positive outcome by providing appropriate interventions.

Family centered care of hospitalized children: A hybrid concept analysis in Iran.

Background: Family centered care of hospitalized children (FCCHC) is a multidimensional concept, which is directly associated with the context and healthcare system. This study was conducted to analyze the concept of FCCHC in Iran. Methods: This concept analysis was conducted with the use of hybrid model in 3 phases: a literature review in the theoretical phase, semi-structured interviews and descriptive observations in the fieldwork phase, and combination of the results of 2 previous phases in the final analytical phase. Results: The 4 main themes extracted in theoretical phase included "family and healthcare professional participation", "information sharing with families", "family and healthcare professional relationship based on dignity and respect" and "individualized care of family".Moreover, 4 themes were emerged in the fieldwork phase, including "family as a nonparticipant visitor", "one-way education", "non-supportive interactions" and "non-specific care of family". In third phase with combination of the results of 2 phases, the final definition of the concept was presented. Conclusion: FCCHC is a comprehensive care that is affected by human and organizational factors and requires full participation of staff and family, effective interaction with family, education and information sharing with them, and individualized care of each family. By knowing the dimensions of the FCCHC, we will be able to run our activities to provide facilities and features for its optimal implementation in Iran.

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.

A concept analysis of nursing based on islamic sources: seeking remedy.

PURPOSE: This study describes the concept of nursing through an analysis of Islamic sources. METHOD: The concept analysis method of Walker and Avant was used. FINDINGS: Nursing is a process of seeking remedy. Nursing includes a strong educative component to help the human to fulfill his/her human capacities. CONCLUSION: The human is viewed as having individual responsibility for self-care and development of human capacities in accord with human nature. When problems and barriers arise, the role of the nurse is to seek remedy. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The role of the nurse is to assist the human to fulfill his/her human potential. The person is viewed from a holistic lens and spiritual development is more important than physical care.