Evaluation of a personal professional mentor scheme for newly qualified nurses.

BACKGROUND: Newly qualified nurses are known to experience a range of feelings and fears in the first transitional 12 months post-qualifying, with absence and turnover among potential outcomes. AIM: To evaluate the personal professional mentor role and scheme, a new pastoral support initiative, from the perspective of participating newly qualified nurses. METHODS: Newly qualified paediatric nurses (n=10), who had been assigned a personal professional mentor (an experienced nurse who worked elsewhere in their employing NHS Trust), completed a semi-structured interview. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The personal professional mentor counteracted some aspects of transition isolation for the newly qualified nurses. They were an independent, accessible, experienced confidant and a welcome new supportive role. CONCLUSION: Pairing experienced nurses with newly qualified nurses provided a new type of workplace support during transition. Inexpensive to set up and run, it is an easy addition to any portfolio of support strategies.

Photo-activated CO-release in the amino tungsten Fischer carbene complex, [(CO)5WC(NC4H8)Me], picosecond time resolved infrared spectroscopy, time-dependent density functional theory, and an antimicrobial study.

Picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the photo-induced early state dynamics preceding CO loss in the Fischer carbene complex, [(CO)5WC(NC4H8)CH3]. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations were employed to help in understanding the photochemical and photophysical processes leading to CO-loss. Electrochemical initiated CO release was quantified using gas chromatography. The potential of [(CO)5WC(NC4H8)CH3], as an antimicrobial agent under irradiation conditions was studied using a Staphylococcus aureus strain.

Understanding and meeting your legal responsibilities as a nurse.

Nurses, midwives and nursing students are legally responsible for their actions. This article discusses the legal standard of care required in relation to nursing and midwifery practice and nurses' professional standards and code of conduct. It examines how courts in the UK determine if nurses have met their duty of care and how nurses must ensure they maintain competence to provide safe care. It examines why organisational knowing - understanding the organisation in which one is employed; its people, values and how it works - is important for all nurses, regardless of their level in the organisation. It also discusses workplace incivility and its adverse effects on nurses, patient care and healthcare organisations. The article explains that if nurses are uncertain why they are doing something, they should investigate this further, because the law expects nurses to be able to justify their actions, or failure to act.

A longitudinal, mixed methods investigation of newly qualified nurses' workplace stressors and stress experiences during transition.

AIM: To investigate transition in newly qualified nurses through an exploration of their stressors and stress experiences during their first 12 months postqualifying. BACKGROUND: Globally, thousands of new nurses qualify annually. They are crucial for the profession and healthcare service delivery. Work-related stress has multiple serious consequences, yet there is a lack of robust, empirical evidence that directly analyses newly qualified nurses and the stress they feel and experience in the workplace. Understanding what causes newly qualified nurses' stress is vital to retaining and nurturing this vital component of the workforce. DESIGN: Longitudinal, explanatory sequential mixed methods, cohort study. METHODS: At the point of qualification (n = 288), 6 months postqualifying (n = 107) and 12 months postqualifying (n = 86), newly qualified nurses completed the Nursing Stress Scale, with 14 completing a one-to-one interview at 12 months postqualifying. Data were collected from 2010 - 2012. Inferential statistics, "thematic analysis" and "side-by-side comparisons in a discussion" were used for analysis. RESULTS: Workload was consistently the highest reported stressor with inadequate staffing and managing multiple role demands given as explanations. Incivility within the workplace was a noted stressor. Conversely, being part of "a good team" provided a civil, supportive, facilitative work environment. Entering nurse education with previous healthcare experience had a mediating effect on the reported frequency of stressors. CONCLUSIONS: Newly qualified nurses encounter multiple work-related stressors over their first 12 months postqualifying, which are intrinsically entwined with their transition. Employing organizations need to be more proactive in managing their workload and addressing workplace incivility.

An investigation into the photochemistry of, and the electrochemically induced CO-loss from, [(CO)5MC(OMe)Me](M = Cr or W) using low-temperature matrix isolation, picosecond infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and time-dependent density functional theory.

The photophysics and photochemistry of [(CO)5MC(OMe)Me] (M = Cr or W) were investigated using picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (M = Cr or W), low-temperature matrix isolation techniques (M = Cr), and time-dependent density functional calculations (M = Cr or W). These studies provide unambiguous evidence for the photochemical formation of a long-lived, 18-electron metallaketene species capable of acting as a synthetically useful intermediate. For the Cr complex, an intermediate metallacyclopropanone singlet excited state was detected on the reaction path to the metallaketene species. This metallacyclopropanone excited state species has a lifetime of less than 100 ps and a characteristic bridging carbonyl band at 1770 cm(-1). The tungsten ketene species was also detected but in contrast to the chromium system, this forms directly from a low-lying triplet excited state. The electrochemical release of CO showed a greater efficiency for the chromium complex when compared to the tungsten.

Carboxy derivatised Ir(III) complexes: synthesis, electrochemistry, photophysical properties and photocatalytic hydrogen generation.

In this contribution the synthesis and characterisation of a series of novel mixed ligand iridium(iii) complexes, functionalised with a carboxy ester or phosphonate groups are reported. These groupings are introduced on the 4-position of either the phenyl pyridine or the 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands. A low temperature high yield synthesis for the precursor [Ir(ppy-COOEt)2(µ-Cl)]2 was developed. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these compounds are also described, together with their behaviour as photosensitisers for the generation of hydrogen from water.

Controlled CO release using photochemical, thermal and electrochemical approaches from the amino carbene complex [(CO)5CrC(NC4H8)CH3].

Multimodal photo, thermal and electrochemical approaches toward CO release from the amino carbene complex [(CO)5CrC(NC4H8)CH3] is reported. Picosecond time resolved infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the photo-induced early state dynamics leading to CO release, and DFT calculations confirmed that CO release occurs from a singlet excited state.

New synthetic pathways to the preparation of near-blue emitting heteroleptic Ir(III)N6 coordinated compounds with microsecond lifetimes.

A high yield synthetic route for the preparation of N6 coordinated heteroleptic Ir(III) complexes using bidentate polypyridyl type ligands is described. The complexes are near-blue emitters and show microsecond emission lifetimes, high emission quantum yields and have two quasi-reversible reduction processes between -1.0 and -1.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl.

Recent progress in the development of bimetallic photocatalysts for hydrogen generation.

In this contribution recent developments in the design and application of bimetallic photocatalysts for the generation of hydrogen via intramolecular processes are assessed. The basic concepts of such assemblies are discussed together with an overview of the factors and molecular issues that affect their potential as photocatalysts. Issues that so far have limited progress are discussed and suggestions for future directions are made.

Models for the active site in [FeFe] hydrogenase with iron-bound ligands derived from bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(mercaptomethyl)silanes.

A series of multifunctional (mercaptomethyl)silanes of the general formula type R(n)Si(CH(2)SH)(4-n) (n = 0-2; R = organyl) was synthesized, starting from the corresponding (chloromethyl)silanes. They were used as multidentate ligands for the conversion of dodecacarbonyltriiron, Fe(3)(CO)(12), into iron carbonyl complexes in which the deprotonated (mercaptomethyl)silanes act as µ-bridging ligands. These complexes can be regarded as models for the [FeFe] hydrogenase. They were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, S), NMR spectroscopic studies ((1)H, (13)C, (29)Si), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry to disclose a new mechanism for the formation of dihydrogen catalyzed by these compounds, whereby one sulfur atom was protonated in the catalytic cycle. The reaction of the tridentate ligand MeSi(CH(2)SH)(3) with Fe(3)(CO)(12) yielded a tetranuclear cluster compound. A detailed investigation by X-ray diffraction, electrochemical, Raman, Mössbauer, and susceptibility techniques indicates that for this compound initially [Fe(2){µ-MeSi(CH(2)S)(2)CH(2)SH}(CO)(6)] is formed. This dinuclear complex, however, is slowly transformed into the tetranuclear species [Fe(4){µ-MeSi(CH(2)S)(3)}(2)(CO)(8)].

Excited state localization and internuclear interactions in asymmetric ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) bpy/tpy based dinuclear compounds.

The synthesis of two asymmetric dinuclear complexes with the formula [M(bpy)(2)(bpt)Ru(tpy)Cl](2+), where M = Ru (1a), Os(2a); bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl; Hbpt = 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)1,2,4-triazole and tpy = 2,2',6',2''-terpyridine, is reported. The compounds obtained are characterized by mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR, UV/vis/NIR absorption, luminescence, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Deuterium isotope labeling facilitates assignment of the (1)H NMR and resonance Raman spectra. The interaction between the two metal centers, mediated by the bridging 1,2,4-triazolato moiety in the mixed valent state, is assigned as type II based on the observation of metal to metal charge transfer absorption bands at 7090 and 5990 cm(-1) for 1a and 2a, respectively. The extent of localization of the emissive excited state was determined by transient resonance Raman and emission spectroscopy. Both 1a and 2a show phosphorescence at the same wavelengths; however, whereas for compound 1a the emission is based on the Ru(tpy)Cl- center, for 2a the emissive state is localized on the Os(bpy)(2)- unit. This indicates that also in the excited state there is efficient interaction between the two metal centers.

Investigation of amino acid containing [FeFe] hydrogenase models concerning pendant base effects.

The present investigations deal with the modeling of the peptide surrounding of [FeFe] hydrogenase using amine containing disulphides to simulate possible influences of the amino acid lysine (K237) on the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of biomimetic compounds based on [Fe2S2] moieties. Fe(3)(CO)(12) was reacted with Boc-4-amino-1,2-dithiolane, Boc-Adt-OMe (Adt=4-amino-1,2-dithiolane-4-carboxylic acid, Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl) and Boc-Adp tert-butyl ester (Adp=(S)-2-amino-3-(1,2-dithiolan-4-yl)propionic acid) to elongate the Fecdots, three dots, centeredN distance in comparison to the well known [Fe(2){(SCH(2))(2)NR}(CO)(6)] model complexes. Efforts to deprotect the complexes containing Boc-4-amino-1,2-dithiolane with trifluoroacetic acid result in the formation of [Fe(3)(mu(3)-O)(mu-O(2)C(2)F(3))(6)(OC(4)H(8))(2)(H(2)O)]. The novel [2Fe2S] complexes are characterized using spectroscopic, electrochemical techniques and X-ray diffraction studies.

Synthesis of asymmetric supramolecular compounds using a Ni(0) catalysed homo-coupling approach.

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of dinuclear ruthenium and osmium polypyridyl metal complexes based on the bridging ligands [5-(5'-bipyridin-2',2''-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl)]-1,2,4-triazole (Hpytr-bipy), 2,2'-bis(pyridin-2''yl)-5,5'-bis(pyridin-3''-yl) (bipy-bipy) and 5,5'-bis(pyridin-2''-yl)-3,3'-bis(1,2,4-triazole) (Hpytr-Hpytr) are reported. The dinuclear complexes have been synthesised via a Ni(0) catalysed cross-coupling reaction from brominated precursors. With this approach a mixture of three products is obtained, which are separated by chromatographic methods. The compounds obtained are characterised by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, absorption and emission spectroscopy. The synthetic approach developed offers a new route to asymmetric multinuclear supramolecular structures that is complimentary to the complexes as ligands/complexes as metal approaches.

Spectroelectrochemical properties of homo- and heteroleptic ruthenium and osmium binuclear complexes: intercomponent communication as a function of energy differences between HOMO levels of bridge and metal centres.

A series of binuclear ruthenium and osmium complexes [(bipy)(2)Ru(qpy)Ru(bipy)(2)](4+) (1), [(bipy)(2)Os(qpy)Os(bipy)(2)](4+) (2), [(bipy)(2)Ru(pytr-bipy)Ru(bipy)(2)](3+) (3), [(bipy)(2)Ru(pytr-bipy)Os(bipy)(2)](3+) (4), [(bipy)(2)Os(pytr-bipy)Ru(bipy)(2)](3+)(5) and [(bipy)(2)Os(bpbt)Os(bipy)(2)](2+) (6) {bipy = 2,2'-bipyridyl; qpy = 2,2':5',5'':2'',2'''-quaterpyridyl; pytr-bipy = 3-(2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl)-5-(pyrid-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazolato, and bpbt = 5,5'-bis-(pyrid-2''-yl)-3,3'-bis-1,2,4-triazolato} are reported. Analysis of the electrochemical data focuses on structural factors and on determining the extent of electronic communication between the metal centres in the mixed valence oxidation state. Intervalence charge transfer (IT) bands could be identified in the spectra of the complexes 4 and 6 only. Analysis of their spectroelectrochemical data leads to the conclusion that the IT is superexchange mediated through the HOMO of the bridging ligand.

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxy-functionalized models for the active site in Fe-only-hydrogenases.

The reactions of DL-1,4-disulfanylbutane-2,3-diol and 1,3-disulfanylpropan-2-ol with dodecacarbonyltriiron have been investigated. As main products, the iron complexes 1 and 2 were isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods, as well as single crystal X-ray analysis. Additionally, the unusually large bond angles in the dithiolato bridge was investigated via density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, the electrochemical features have been studied by cyclic voltammetry.