"A different country, a different language, a different culture " Educational experiences of international nursing students studying in Turkey: A qualitative study.

AIM: This study was aimed at investigating the educational experiences of international nursing students in Turkey. BACKGROUND: Nursing education has now gained an international dimension, which creates an environment where students from different cultures come together. In Turkey, nursing education is expanding internationally due to the increasing number of international students. DESIGN: A descriptive- phenomenological qualitative study. METHODS: The study data were collected from nursing students who came to Turkey from 17 different countries between April 2023 and July 2023 to study at a nursing faculty in Turkey using a semi-structured interview form. Of these students, 27 constituted the study sample. The data collected were analyzed using the content analysis. The COREQ checklist was used in reporting the study. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: a) challenges, b) gains, c) support needs and d) recommendations. Among challenges reported by the participating students were language barriers, cultural adjustment issues and lack of social support. As for the gains of being a foreign student, they stated that they experienced intercultural interaction and improved their language skills, independence and self-confidence. In the study, the need for language support, provision of psychological assistance and cultural adaptation support for these students and the importance of practical recommendations such as mentoring programs and orientation trainings to improve their educational experience were emphasized. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in this study, the importance of targeted strategies in nursing education in areas such as language support, psychological assistance and cultural adaptation was emphasized, which helps international students to have a successful educational experience. It was also concluded that mentoring programs and orientation trainings could enrich the educational processes of students by facilitating their adaptation to their new environment. This study is notable in the literature in that students from 17 diverse countries share the same program and the same prerequisites.

Effects of music on sleep quality and comfort levels of pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES: This pilot randomized controlled experimental study was conducted to investigate effects of music on sleep quality and comfort levels of pregnant women. METHODS: The sample of the study consisted of 70 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The pregnant women were assigned to the music (n=35) and control groups (n=35). In the study, the musical pieces composed in Ussak mode were played for the participants in the music group. The pregnant women in the music group were first asked to empty their bladder and then listen to music for 30 min in a semi-Fowler's position with their head and shoulders raised 30°, in a quiet and dim environment, every other day for two weeks before going to sleep. The Pregnant Information Form, Prenatal Comfort Scale (PCS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - 1 week (PSQI-1 week) were used to collect the study data. RESULTS: The analysis of the mean scores obtained from the overall PSQI-1 week by the pregnant women in the music and control groups by weeks demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference between the music and control groups in the second week (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean scores they obtained from the overall PCS (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Music increased the sleep quality of the pregnant women in the music group, but had no effect on their comfort levels.

Investigation of Anxiety Levels of Nursing Students Related to Intravenous Interventions and Factors Affecting the Anxiety.

This descriptive type study was conducted in order to determine the anxiety levels experienced by nursing students during IV intervention and the factors causing anxiety. The study was completed with a total of 260 students, 86 of whom were year-2, 72 were year-3, and 102 were year-4 students, who voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected online with a Google survey using the Personal Information Form and the Trait Anxiety Inventory. As per the study results, a total of 80.4% of the students were found to experience anxiety during IV interventions, and their trait anxiety (45.10±8.8) levels were moderate. A statistically significant difference was found between the achievement status of the students and their mean trait anxiety score (p<0.05). As a conclusion of the study, the students were found to experience moderate levels of anxiety during IV interventions and their level of anxiety decreased as their achievement levels increased. This was the first study on the subject in our country and new studies are needed.

Does the use of infrared technology (AccuVein AV-500®) for Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation (PIVC) increase the success rate in nursing students? A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: PIVC is one of the essential procedures of modern medicine, and is one of the most widely used and important treatments in the clinical setting. Nevertheless, it is one of the most difficult skills to teach in nursing education, and it is the skill which causes the most anxiety in nursing students. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the teaching method using infrared technology on PIVC success, duration, and the level of psychomotor skills and knowledge in the acquisition of PIVC skills in nursing students. METHODS: This was a pre-test post-test randomized experimental study with a control group. The research was conducted in the Skills and Simulation Laboratory of a Nursing Faculty of a university between December 2019 and February 2020 to examine the effects of teaching PIVC measurement via infrared light on students' success rate. A theory lesson on PIVC followed 15 days later by laboratory practical was carried out with all of the students included in the study. The PIVC Knowledge Evaluation Form as a pre-test. The researchers completed the PIVC Skills Performance Test from observation during the application of the checklist. Immediately after the procedure, the PIVC Knowledge Evaluation Form was applied as a post-test. RESULTS: The procedure success rate of the experimental group was 90%, and that of the control group was 46%. Comparing PIVC skill scores between the groups, the difference was found to be statistically significant (Z = -2.741; p < 0.05). The groups' PIVC knowledge levels increased in a similar way. CONCLUSION: Teaching with infrared technology contributes more to students' success in PIVC skills than does standard teaching. Both methods were effective in developing knowledge of PIVC.

The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on the Comfort and Anxiety of Nursing Home Residents.

Nurses are increasingly using energy therapies such as therapeutic touch (TT) in many countries. This research aimed at finding out the effects of TT on comfort and anxiety of nursing home residents. This research is a quasi-experimental randomized control study which was conducted to investigate the impact of TT on the comfort and anxiety of older people living in a nursing home in Izmir, Turkey, between August 2015 and 2016. The sample of the study was formed from 60 older people who fitted the selection criteria, 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Data were collected using a General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) and a Situational Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A statistically significant difference was found between the measurements of the TT and control groups. According to the results, TT reduces anxiety and increases the comfort level of older people (p < 0.05). Considering the positive results of TT on comfort levels and anxiety, it can be recommended as an independent nursing practice.

Validity and reliability study of the Moral Distress Questionnaire in Turkish for nurses.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish language version of the Moral Distress Questionnaire for nurses. METHOD: methodological study whose sample consisted of 200 nurses working in the internal medicine and surgery clinics of a university hospital. Data was collected using the personal information form and the Moral Distress Questionnaire for nurses. RESULTS: in the Main Components Analysis, the items were grouped under three factors. Findings regarding confirmatory factor analysis: chi-square goodness: 2.28, goodness of fit index: 0.88, comparative fit index: 0.88, non-normed fit index: 0.86, root mean square error of approximation: 0.07. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.79 as a result of the analysis conducted in order to test the internal consistency of the scale. It was seen that these three factors explained 44.92% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: in this present study, the Turkish version of the Moral Distress Questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable for the Turkish society. It is recommended that the Moral Distress Questionnaire for nurses should be used in future studies to be conducted with nurses in order to investigate of issues of ethical dilemma.

Effects of Hand Massage and Therapeutic Touch on Comfort and Anxiety Living in a Nursing Home in Turkey: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of hand massage and therapeutic touch on comfort and anxiety in the elderly living in nursing homes. The study was designed as a randomized controlled, experimental study (with a pre- and posttest control group). The study population comprised 255 older people aged 65-89 living in a nursing home in Izmir, a province in Turkey. The study sample included 30 older patients, who were assigned to hand massage (HM) (n = 10), therapeutic touch (TT) (n = 10) and control (C) (n = 10) groups. Of the elderly who participated in the study, 50% were female and 80% were single. It was determined that TT and HM decreased the anxiety and increased the comfort levels of the elderly living in the nursing home (p < 0.05). It is thought that nurses can easily integrate HM and TT which are non-medical, non-pharmacologic interventions with no adverse effects into care activities.

Validity and reliability study of the Moral Distress Questionnaire in Turkish for nurses / Estudo de validade e confiabilidade do Moral Distress Questionnaire no idioma turco para enfermeiros / Estudio de validación y confiabilidad del Moral Distress Questionnaire en idioma turco para enfermeros

Objective: to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish language version of the Moral Distress Questionnaire for nurses. Method: methodological study whose sample consisted of 200 nurses working in the internal medicine and surgery clinics of a university hospital. Data was collected using the personal information form and the Moral Distress Questionnaire for nurses. Results: in the Main Components Analysis, the items were grouped under three factors. Findings regarding confirmatory factor analysis: chi-square goodness: 2.28, goodness of fit index: 0.88, comparative fit index: 0.88, non-normed fit index: 0.86, root mean square error of approximation: 0.07. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.79 as a result of the analysis conducted in order to test the internal consistency of the scale. It was seen that these three factors explained 44.92% of the total variance. Conclusion: in this present study, the Turkish version of the Moral Distress Questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable for the Turkish society. It is recommended that the Moral Distress Questionnaire for nurses should be used in future studies to be conducted with nurses in order to investigate of issues of ethical dilemma.

Objetivo: determinar a validade e a confiabilidade da versão em idioma turco do Moral Distress Questionnaire para enfermeiros. Método: estudo metodológico cuja amostra foi composta por 200 enfermeiros atuantes nas clínicas de medicina interna e cirurgia de um hospital universitário. Os dados foram coletados por meio do formulário de informações pessoais e do Moral Distress Questionnaire para enfermeiros. Resultados: na Análise de Componentes Principais, os itens foram agrupados em três fatores. Resultados da análise fatorial confirmatória: qualidade do ajuste do qui-quadrado: 2,28, índice de qualidade do ajuste: 0,88, índice de ajuste comparativo: 0,88, índice de ajuste não normatizado: 0,86, raiz quadrada da média do erro de aproximação: 0,07. O coeficiente alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,79 como resultado da análise realizada para testar a consistência interna da escala. Observou-se que esses três fatores explicaram 44,92% da variância total. Conclusão: neste estudo, a versão turca do Moral Distress Questionnaire foi considerada válida e confiável para a sociedade turca. Recomenda-se que o Moral Distress Questionnaire para enfermeiros seja utilizado em estudos futuros a serem conduzidos, com esses profissionais, para investigar questões de dilema ético.

Objetivo: determinar la validación y confiabilidad de la versión en idioma turco del Moral Distress Questionnaire para enfermeros. Método: estudio metodológico cuya muestra estuvo conformada por 200 enfermeras que trabajaban en clínicas médicas y de cirugía internas de un hospital universitario. Los datos se recopilaron utilizando el formulario de información personal y el Cuestionario de Estrés Moral para enfermeros. Resultados: en el Análisis de Componentes Principales, los ítems se agruparon en tres factores. Resultados del análisis factorial confirmatorio: calidad de ajuste de chi-cuadrado: 2,28, índice de bondad de ajuste: 0,88, índice de ajuste comparativo: 0,88, índice de ajuste no normalizado: 0,86, raíz cuadrada del error de aproximación promedio: 0.07. Se determinó que el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach fue de 0,79 como resultado del análisis realizado para comprobar la consistencia interna de la escala. Se observó que estos tres factores explicaban el 44,92% de la varianza total. Conclusión: en el presente estudio, la versión turca del Cuestionario de Estrés Moral resultó ser válida y confiable para la sociedad turca. Se recomienda que el Cuestionario de Estrés Moral para enfermeros se utilice en futuros estudios, con estos profesionales, para investigar cuestiones de dilema ético.

Effectiveness of online education in teaching breast self- examination.

BACKGROUND: This research evaluated the effectiveness of an online education model in teaching breast self- examination to university staff and students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1,679 women participated in a breast self-examination online training program. Breast self-examination knowledge evaluation forms developed by Maurer (1997) were used in the research and were evaluated on a 100 point scale. Paired t-test and McNemar's Test statistics were employed. RESULTS: The participants scored an average of 46.5 (14.0%) on knowledge on breast self-examination before training, but 77.4 (11.0%) one month after education and 76.7 (9.52%) after six months. There was a clear significant difference between these knowledge levels (p<0.05). Similarly, while the rate for systematic practice of breast self-examination among women was 30.8% before training it increased to 47.8% afterwards. Again the difference was significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Online education is an effective method for teaching breast self-examination to women.

Comfort and anxiety levels of women with early stage breast cancer who receive radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this planned research was to determine the comfort and anxiety levels of women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive type study covered patients that applied to the radiation oncology breast polyclinic of our university hospital between January and May 2011. Patient Identification Form, Radiation Therapy Comfort Questionnaire (RTCQ), Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were completed and analysed. RESULTS: The mean age of the women who participated in the study was 51.6 ± 10.4 years. Mean scores of women were 3.73 ± 0.31 for RTCQ, 29.1 ± 5.88 for SAI and 37.8±6.91 for TAI. While the comfort levels of the women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy were moderate, they experienced only low levels of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: By determining the comfort level of the patient before radiotherapy, besides providing comfort in this direction, eliminating/minimizing anxiety and stress will positively affect radiotherapy application. More attention of nurses to this issue is to be recommended.

Determining the factors that affect breast cancer and self breast examination beliefs of Turkish nurses in academia.

PURPOSE: To define factors that affect the performance status of BSE and confidence of student nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in the academic year 2010-2011 in a nursing faculty in I?zmir, Turkey. "Informative data form" and "Champion's Revised Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS)" were used as data collection forms. RESULTS: The mean age of the participant nurses was 21.0±1.49. The mean CHMS scores of the student nurses were as follows: perceived susceptibility regarding breast cancer, 7.78±2.46; perceived seriousness regarding breast cancer, 22.4±5.43; perceived benefit regarding BSE application, 20.5±4.45; perceived barriers regarding BSE application, 23.8±7.13; perceived confidence regarding BSE application, 36.3±7.78; the mean score of health motivation sub-scale, 25.7±4.59; and mean of the total score of the scale, 36.5±15.01. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes obtained in this study indicated the importance of better education to student nurses, who have a key role in teaching preventive health behaviour including BSE to society and other university students as colleagues.

Nursing diagnoses in elderly residents of a nursing home: a case in Turkey.

There are limited studies on nursing diagnoses of the elderly living in nursing homes worldwide. This study aimed to define the most frequent nursing diagnoses in the elderly residents of a nursing home elder care and rehabilitation center. Seventy-four elderly individuals were included in the study. Data were collected using the "Elderly Individual's Introduction Form" between April 2007 to August 2007. The content of the form was based on a guide to gerontologic assessment, and Gordon's Functional Health Patterns. The nursing diagnoses (NANDA-I Taxonomy II) were identified by the 2 researchers separately according to the defining characteristics and the risk factors. The consistency between the nursing diagnoses defined by the 2 researchers was evaluated using Cohen's kappa (κ). There was an 84.7% agreement about nursing diagnoses defined by the 2 researchers separately. The weighted kappa consistency analyses showed there was an adequate level of consistency (κ = 0.710), and the findings were significant (p < 0.0001). The most frequent diagnoses were ineffective role performance (86.5%), ineffective health maintenance (81.2%), risk for falls (77%), and impaired physical mobility (73%). The diagnosis of ineffective role performance was more frequent in patients with dementia (x(2) =10.993, df = 1, p = 0.001). There was a very significant relationship between dementia and the diagnosis of impaired verbal communication (x(2) = 32.718, df = 1, p = 0.0001). The relationship between mobility disorder and self-care deficit was also significant (x(2) = 19.411, df = 1, p = 0.0001). To improve quality in patient care, nurses should use nursing diagnoses with a systematic assessment and should help the elderly in health promotion or use of the maximum current potential.

Nursing diagnoses in patients having mechanical ventilation support in a respiratory intensive care unit in Turkey.

This research was carried out to find out the nursing diagnoses in patients who have mechanical ventilation support in a respiratory intensive care unit. The study was conducted with 51 evaluations of critically ill adult patients who underwent invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation therapy in 2008. Data collection was based on Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns, and nursing diagnoses were determined according to North American Nursing Diagnosis Association-International (NANDA-I) Taxonomy II. The nursing diagnoses were determined by two researchers separately. The consistency between the nursing diagnoses defined by the two researchers was evaluated by using Cohen's kappa (κ). Forty men (78.4%) and 11 women (21.6%) whose mean ages were 70.19 (SD = 8.96) years were included in the study. Nineteen subgroups of nursing diagnoses about safety/protection domain, and 15 subgroups about activity/rest domain were seen at different rates in the patients. There was a statistically significant difference between mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy or endotracheal tube and decreased cardiac output (d.f. = 1, χ(2) = 4.760, P = 0.029). The relationship between the length of time under mechanical ventilation and impaired physical mobility was considerably significant (d.f. = 3, χ(2) = 24.459, P = 0.000). It was found out that there was a high degree of agreement (96.8%) between the nursing diagnoses defined by the two researchers separately (κ = 0.936, SE = 0.08).