Readiness levels of intern nursing students during the transition to professional practice within the Al Jouf Region in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The transition of newly graduated nurses into the workforce is recognized as a complex undertaking and has been examined extensively in the literature. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the readiness levels of intern nursing students and investigate the factors affecting their transition to professional practice within the Al Jouf region in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The study employed a combination of descriptive, correlational, and qualitative methodologies to conduct its investigation. Data were acquired via an online questionnaire that included demographic information, the Nursing Practice Readiness Scale (NPRS), and two open-ended questions. A total of 135 nursing intern students were recruited to participate in the study. Benner's "novice-to-expert" theory of clinical competence was utilized to guide the theoretical underpinning of the study. RESULTS: Findings revealed that most intern nursing students (63.7%) exhibited a moderate level of readiness. Furthermore, 70.4% and 55.6% of the students showed moderate readiness in terms of their professional attitudes and patient-centeredness, respectively. More than one-third of the students demonstrated a high level of readiness in the self-regulation domain (36.3%), while a similar proportion indicated a high level of readiness in the domain of collaborative interpersonal relationships (33.3%). The students underscored their reliance on the education system as pivotal in enhancing their preparedness for clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Nursing internship programs contribute to a more comprehensive readiness of nurses for active participation in clinical practice as compared to traditional educational programs.

Professional autonomy among nurses in Saudi Arabian critical care units.

BACKGROUND: Professional autonomy is essential in expanding the scope of nursing practice and has been recognized as a top nursing priority. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess Saudi nurses' autonomy level in critical care settings and examine the influence of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics on their autonomy level. METHODS: A correlational design and a convenience sampling approach were used to recruit 212 staff nurses from five Saudi governmental hospitals in Jouf region of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire composed of two sections, including sociodemographic characteristics and the Belgen autonomy scale. The Belgen autonomy scale used in this study measures nurses' autonomy levels and consists of 42 items rated on an ordinal scale. The scale's minimum score of 1 indicates nurses with no authority, while the maximum score of 5 indicates nurses with full authority. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics revealed that nurses in the sample had a moderate overall work autonomy (M = 3.08), with higher autonomy in patient care decisions (M = 3.25) compared to unit operations decisions (M = 2.91). Nurses had the highest level of autonomy in tasks related to preventing patient falls (M = 3.84), preventing skin breakdown (M = 3.69), and promoting health activities (M = 3.62), while they had the lowest level of autonomy in ordering diagnostic tests (M = 2.27), determining the day of discharge (M = 2.61), and planning the unit's annual budget (M = 2.22). The multiple linear regression model (R2 = 0.32, F (16, 195) = 5.87, p < .001) showed that education level and years of experience in critical care settings were significantly related to nurses' work autonomy. CONCLUSION: Saudi nurses in acute care settings have moderate professional autonomy, with higher autonomy in making patient care decisions than unit operations decisions. Investing in nurses' education and training could increase their professional autonomy, leading to improved patient care. Policymakers and nursing administrators can use the study's results to develop strategies that promote nurses' professional development and autonomy.

Experiences, Perceptions, and Coping Patterns of Emergency Department Nurses with Occupational Stressors in Saudi Arabian Hospitals: Mixed-Method Study.

Extended working hours, a complicated workplace environment, and engagement in numerous physical and psychological stressors have been associated with the stressful nature of the nursing profession. Only a few studies have provided some insight into workplace stress and coping strategies adopted by nurses in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. Therefore, this study utilized a mixed-method design to explore the numerous factors that lead to stress among emergency nurses, their experience and perception of stress, and the coping mechanisms they find useful. A survey containing four domains and 86 items was adapted, pilot tested, and validated. The quantitative phase recruited 296 nurses who returned completed questionnaires, and then 21 nurses were interviewed for the qualitative phase. In total, 89.5% (n = 265) of the participants were female, 51% (n = 151) were aged 20-29 years, 83% (n = 246) were non-Saudi nationals, 49% (n = 145) were married, and 82% (n = 245) had a bachelor's degree. The most common causes of occupational stress were work overload, personnel shortages, and inadequate pay. The qualitative phase data revealed five primary themes, including increased workload, rising living costs despite equal compensation, and staff shortages as main stressors. In addition, the study found that praying and spending quality time with friends are the primary coping techniques among nurses. The study results contribute to a better understanding of nurses' working conditions in the emergency department. Additionally, they may contribute to the development of policies and practice reforms to improve Saudi nurses' well-being, health, and overall work experience.