THIS QUALITATIVE STUDY used a purpo- sive sample of perioperative nurses age 50 or older to descr... more THIS QUALITATIVE STUDY used a purpo- sive sample of perioperative nurses age 50 or older to describe the experience of being an older perioperative nurse. Three themes were identified from data analysis: growing old in the OR, inter personal and organizational concerns, and womes about the future.
Working in health care can be physically stressful. The perioperative setting, which is largely c... more Working in health care can be physically stressful. The perioperative setting, which is largely concealed from other health care workers and the general public, places unique physical demands on its workers. Perioperative personnel are responsible for a variety of physical tasks, including moving and positioning patients, holding extremities, and moving equipment and supplies. As the nursing workforce ages, the physical demands of the perioperative environment may affect the development of musculoskeletal disorders in older nurses. The purpose of this article is to review published research and describe the ergonomic challenges of working in the OR. There currently is a paucity of literature on the effects of ergonomic risk factors on perioperative nurses in the United States. This article also provides some recommendations for perioperative staff members and leaders that may assist them with creating and maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.
Despite recent reports that occupational injuries requiring days away from work decreased since 2... more Despite recent reports that occupational injuries requiring days away from work decreased since 2008, hospitals still remain in the top 10 industries for occupational injury, with 6.7 workers per 100 employees reporting an injury in 2009 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2010). The prevalence of musculoskeletal injury in healthcare workers is well documented in the literature, and back pain is considered to be the most common work-related health problem in nurses (June & Cho, 2011). Many nurses seem to accept that back pain “comes with the job.” This view may prevent many nurses and other healthcare workers from seeking possible solutions, including the use of back exercises, to prevent injury or to improve existing back pain.
Health Disparities. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessar... more Health Disparities. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National
The researchers document the individual and workplace characteristics associated with decreased w... more The researchers document the individual and workplace characteristics associated with decreased work productivity and intent to stay in nursing for nurses employed in direct patient care in the hospital setting. Factors associated with decreased work productivity were age, total years worked as a RN, quality of care provided, job stress score, having had a job injury, and having a health problem. Nurse leaders must place additional efforts on changes needed to improve the hospital workplace environment to decrease job stress, improve RNs' ability to provide quality care, and to assure the health and safety of nurses. Reducing job stress and providing adequate staffing so quality of care can be provided will enhance job satisfaction which will also encourage RNs to stay at the bedside. Improved work environments may delay older RNs' retirement from the workforce.
While the mentally ill are considered to be vulnerable as a group, those who are mentally ill and... more While the mentally ill are considered to be vulnerable as a group, those who are mentally ill and reside in rural communities are at a greater disadvantage due to limited access to health care, a scarcity of resources, and traditional cultural belief systems. Social support has been found to have a direct effect on the well-being of families and individuals. Specific strategies are presented which will assist rural health nurses in providing the support systems necessary to help rural residents in managing and coping with stress and mental health problems. Article: Healthy People 2010 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999) lists the mentally ill as a vulnerable population within the United States. Compared to the average American, the vulnerable have less economic and social resources, have less education, are more likely to be unemployed, have inferior housing, and are exposed to multiple health risks. These vulnerable families have fewer resources to help them cope, ...
Aging of the population has led to an increasing number of caregivers. While research has been co... more Aging of the population has led to an increasing number of caregivers. While research has been conducted on caregiver experiences, less is known about the experiences of African American males in the U.S. This qualitative descriptive study describes the experiences of 13 African American men who acted as caregivers to adult chronically ill or debilitated loved ones, the majority of whom provided care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised Sociocultural Stress and Coping Model (R-SSCM) guided this study. Individual interviews were conducted via the Zoom application. Content analysis revealed four themes: (1) “My time to take the reins”, (2) “It’s a male thang”, (3) “Caring amid a pandemic”, and (4) “Effects of the caregiver’s journey”. This study’s findings in relation to the literature provide overdue attention to the African American male caregiving experience, especially in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The implications of our findings include the need for more culturally ...
The nursing workforce is aging at an unprecedented rate, yet we know very little about the expe-r... more The nursing workforce is aging at an unprecedented rate, yet we know very little about the expe-riences of older staff nurses. A qualitative design with purposeful sampling was used to describe the experience of being an older staff nurse. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 11 staff nurses over the age of 55 who were employed at least part-time in six hospitals located in the southeastern United States. Data analysis was guided by a feminist perspective utilizing the voice-centered relational method developed by Brown and Gilligan. Study findings demonstrate that older nurses are working because they continue to care, despite the stressors of intergenerational conflict with younger nurses, less respect from patients and families, and ineq-uity in pay. Older nurses are confident in their abilities and are capable of meeting the demands of hospital nursing.
Each year 1.5 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury (7BI), and many... more Each year 1.5 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury (7BI), and many of these patients require immediate surgery. 7BI patients provide additional assessment and technological challenges for perianesthesia nursing care. A major goal of PACU nursing is the prevention of secondary head injury during the post- anesthesia period.
Background: Although the inclusion of women in research has been examined in medical publications... more Background: Although the inclusion of women in research has been examined in medical publications, little is known about how federal mandates have influenced the inclusion of women in research published in nursing journals. Objective: This study aimed to examine the inclusion of women in published nursing research from 1995 to 2001, with a focus on the leading causes of mortality. Method: All the articles in each journal were reviewed, and all the research articles that focused on the top 10 causes of death were sampled to measure the inclusion of women, the characteristics of the women included, the funding source, and the topic. Results: Of the 1,149 studies reviewed, 139 met the inclusion criteria, and 117 of these studies included women. Only 15 of the studies reported the age of the women in their samples, and 10 of these included women between the ages of 35 and 64 years. The most frequently reported race was White (n = 21), followed by African American (n = 17), Hispanic (n =...
Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research
Research findings reveal that nurses, including ED nurses, acknowledge a personal bias against th... more Research findings reveal that nurses, including ED nurses, acknowledge a personal bias against the older adult, which reflects past experiences with this group or a negative attitude regarding aging [5,6]. The views of nurses toward the older adult patient are vital to the services they provide to this vulnerable population. The literature indicates that healthcare professionals in the ED lack geriatric-specific educational training [4]. Indeed, most nurses who graduated before 2005 did not receive a stand
Inside the Medicine Cabinet…Do you know your staff's common medication usage and how it can impac... more Inside the Medicine Cabinet…Do you know your staff's common medication usage and how it can impact their practice? Nursing Management. March 2009 ***Reprinted with permission.. No further reproduction is authorized without written permission from the Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins. This version of the document is not the version of record. Figures and/or pictures may be missing from this format of the document.*** *** Note: http://www.lww.com/ *** Note: This is not the final published version Article: A growing number of Americans use prescription and nonprescription medications on a regular basis. An aging population, rapid development and release of new medications, and changes in health practice are all responsible for increased usage.1 Indeed, in any given week, 81% of adults in the United States take at least one medication (prescription or over the counter [OTC]) and at least 50% take a prescription medication.2 Prevalence of use increases with age and by gender, with older women having the greatest medication use.2,3 Most Americans are also likely to take more than one medication (see Table 1). While medications are being used by most Americans, there's little information on the specific medications being used by RNs. Nurses working in hospital settings are faced with high job stress, staffing shortages, and increasing patient acuity and care needs. Many common medications are known to have adverse reactions that may interfere with work performance.
Aim To determine if younger and older hospital employed nurses have differences in their selfrepo... more Aim To determine if younger and older hospital employed nurses have differences in their selfreported health, health related productivity and quality of care. Background An understanding of age cohort differences may assist nurse managers in understanding the health related productivity and potential quality of care concerns of their staff. Method A cross-sectional survey design was utilised. There were 1171 usable surveys returned (47% response rate). Nurses over the age of 50 made up 26% of the respondents. Result Older nurses had a higher body mass index (BMI), higher mental well-being, higher pain scores, a 12% higher prevalence of having health problems, and reported a higher health related productivity loss than younger nurses. Implications for nursing management Nurse managers must determine if their older nurses are being given more difficult, complex patients because of their experience. Perhaps older nurses, especially those with health problems, need assignments that require their assessment and critical thinking skills rather than their strength and physical abilities.
content across the core courses. We present examples of content, strategies, and evaluation metho... more content across the core courses. We present examples of content, strategies, and evaluation methods that demonstrate infusion of gerontology in a nursing theory course, research course, and healthcare law and policy course. Twenty-two of the competencies are addressed in these core courses and provide a foundation for further development in the support and specialty courses for the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nursing administrator, nurse educator, and nurse anesthetist. We also present helpful Web-based resources for older adult care. Article: With the rapidly growing older adult population in the US and the continuing shortage of advanced practice nurses educated to care for older adults, several funded initiatives have been targeted at increasing the number of gerontological nurses. 2-4 However, many baccalaureateprepared nurses admitted to graduate nursing programs lack adequate preparation in gerontological nursing. In fact, Rosenfeld, Bottrell, Fulmer and Mezey reported < 25% of baccalaureate programs even require a gerontological nursing course.5 Because older adults comprise 80% of home care visits, 60% of ambulatory care appointments, and fill 58% of acute hospital beds, 6,7 it is almost inevitable that advanced practice nurses will encounter older adults in their practice.
Aim: The aim was to survey nurses with 2 to 3 years' experience to determine what factors were in... more Aim: The aim was to survey nurses with 2 to 3 years' experience to determine what factors were involved in the choice of their first nursing position and if they were still in that position. Background: A false sense that the nursing shortage has ended has occurred with nurses delaying retirement until the economy improves. However, the turnover rate still shows 26% of registered nurses leaving their first hospital position within 2 years. Methods: New graduate nurses were surveyed to determine if nursing was what they expected, what led them to their first position, if they were still in their first position, and factors that may have influenced these decisions. The 159 respondents also commented on their intent to stay and gave free-text responses. Results: Significant difference was found between the current unit worked with both the unit wanted while in nursing school and the unit wanted upon graduation. Positive and negative narrative comments shed light on factors influencing intent to stay. Conclusion: Nurses are concerned with ability to deliver safe care, supportive management, and teamwork. Implications for Nursing Management: Recommendations were made for nursing management in creating an environment of continued learning and teamwork to support new graduate nurses.
The nursing workforce is aging more rapidly than the workforce as a whole, and fewer young people... more The nursing workforce is aging more rapidly than the workforce as a whole, and fewer young people are entering the profession. It is imperative that older nurses be retained, not only for their experience and expertise, but also to prevent worsening an already critical nursing shortage. A descriptive survey design was used to determine the knowledge base and plans for the aging RN workforce by North Carolina hospitals and nursing homes. Nurses over age 55 made up 14.1% of the respondents&amp;amp;#39; RN staff. Most administrators are aware of the aging workforce and wish to retain older nurses. Unfortunately, 94% of facilities have no policies in place to address the needs of older nurses, and 87% admitted to having no immediate plans to do so. Specific recommendations are made to assist nurse managers in retaining the older RN.
Evidence has been reported in support of the reliability and validity of the Jefferson Scale of P... more Evidence has been reported in support of the reliability and validity of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) when used with physicians, medical students, and nurses. This study examined the psychometrics of a modified version of the scale in undergradu-ate nursing students. ...
THIS QUALITATIVE STUDY used a purpo- sive sample of perioperative nurses age 50 or older to descr... more THIS QUALITATIVE STUDY used a purpo- sive sample of perioperative nurses age 50 or older to describe the experience of being an older perioperative nurse. Three themes were identified from data analysis: growing old in the OR, inter personal and organizational concerns, and womes about the future.
Working in health care can be physically stressful. The perioperative setting, which is largely c... more Working in health care can be physically stressful. The perioperative setting, which is largely concealed from other health care workers and the general public, places unique physical demands on its workers. Perioperative personnel are responsible for a variety of physical tasks, including moving and positioning patients, holding extremities, and moving equipment and supplies. As the nursing workforce ages, the physical demands of the perioperative environment may affect the development of musculoskeletal disorders in older nurses. The purpose of this article is to review published research and describe the ergonomic challenges of working in the OR. There currently is a paucity of literature on the effects of ergonomic risk factors on perioperative nurses in the United States. This article also provides some recommendations for perioperative staff members and leaders that may assist them with creating and maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.
Despite recent reports that occupational injuries requiring days away from work decreased since 2... more Despite recent reports that occupational injuries requiring days away from work decreased since 2008, hospitals still remain in the top 10 industries for occupational injury, with 6.7 workers per 100 employees reporting an injury in 2009 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2010). The prevalence of musculoskeletal injury in healthcare workers is well documented in the literature, and back pain is considered to be the most common work-related health problem in nurses (June & Cho, 2011). Many nurses seem to accept that back pain “comes with the job.” This view may prevent many nurses and other healthcare workers from seeking possible solutions, including the use of back exercises, to prevent injury or to improve existing back pain.
Health Disparities. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessar... more Health Disparities. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National
The researchers document the individual and workplace characteristics associated with decreased w... more The researchers document the individual and workplace characteristics associated with decreased work productivity and intent to stay in nursing for nurses employed in direct patient care in the hospital setting. Factors associated with decreased work productivity were age, total years worked as a RN, quality of care provided, job stress score, having had a job injury, and having a health problem. Nurse leaders must place additional efforts on changes needed to improve the hospital workplace environment to decrease job stress, improve RNs' ability to provide quality care, and to assure the health and safety of nurses. Reducing job stress and providing adequate staffing so quality of care can be provided will enhance job satisfaction which will also encourage RNs to stay at the bedside. Improved work environments may delay older RNs' retirement from the workforce.
While the mentally ill are considered to be vulnerable as a group, those who are mentally ill and... more While the mentally ill are considered to be vulnerable as a group, those who are mentally ill and reside in rural communities are at a greater disadvantage due to limited access to health care, a scarcity of resources, and traditional cultural belief systems. Social support has been found to have a direct effect on the well-being of families and individuals. Specific strategies are presented which will assist rural health nurses in providing the support systems necessary to help rural residents in managing and coping with stress and mental health problems. Article: Healthy People 2010 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999) lists the mentally ill as a vulnerable population within the United States. Compared to the average American, the vulnerable have less economic and social resources, have less education, are more likely to be unemployed, have inferior housing, and are exposed to multiple health risks. These vulnerable families have fewer resources to help them cope, ...
Aging of the population has led to an increasing number of caregivers. While research has been co... more Aging of the population has led to an increasing number of caregivers. While research has been conducted on caregiver experiences, less is known about the experiences of African American males in the U.S. This qualitative descriptive study describes the experiences of 13 African American men who acted as caregivers to adult chronically ill or debilitated loved ones, the majority of whom provided care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised Sociocultural Stress and Coping Model (R-SSCM) guided this study. Individual interviews were conducted via the Zoom application. Content analysis revealed four themes: (1) “My time to take the reins”, (2) “It’s a male thang”, (3) “Caring amid a pandemic”, and (4) “Effects of the caregiver’s journey”. This study’s findings in relation to the literature provide overdue attention to the African American male caregiving experience, especially in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The implications of our findings include the need for more culturally ...
The nursing workforce is aging at an unprecedented rate, yet we know very little about the expe-r... more The nursing workforce is aging at an unprecedented rate, yet we know very little about the expe-riences of older staff nurses. A qualitative design with purposeful sampling was used to describe the experience of being an older staff nurse. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 11 staff nurses over the age of 55 who were employed at least part-time in six hospitals located in the southeastern United States. Data analysis was guided by a feminist perspective utilizing the voice-centered relational method developed by Brown and Gilligan. Study findings demonstrate that older nurses are working because they continue to care, despite the stressors of intergenerational conflict with younger nurses, less respect from patients and families, and ineq-uity in pay. Older nurses are confident in their abilities and are capable of meeting the demands of hospital nursing.
Each year 1.5 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury (7BI), and many... more Each year 1.5 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury (7BI), and many of these patients require immediate surgery. 7BI patients provide additional assessment and technological challenges for perianesthesia nursing care. A major goal of PACU nursing is the prevention of secondary head injury during the post- anesthesia period.
Background: Although the inclusion of women in research has been examined in medical publications... more Background: Although the inclusion of women in research has been examined in medical publications, little is known about how federal mandates have influenced the inclusion of women in research published in nursing journals. Objective: This study aimed to examine the inclusion of women in published nursing research from 1995 to 2001, with a focus on the leading causes of mortality. Method: All the articles in each journal were reviewed, and all the research articles that focused on the top 10 causes of death were sampled to measure the inclusion of women, the characteristics of the women included, the funding source, and the topic. Results: Of the 1,149 studies reviewed, 139 met the inclusion criteria, and 117 of these studies included women. Only 15 of the studies reported the age of the women in their samples, and 10 of these included women between the ages of 35 and 64 years. The most frequently reported race was White (n = 21), followed by African American (n = 17), Hispanic (n =...
Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research
Research findings reveal that nurses, including ED nurses, acknowledge a personal bias against th... more Research findings reveal that nurses, including ED nurses, acknowledge a personal bias against the older adult, which reflects past experiences with this group or a negative attitude regarding aging [5,6]. The views of nurses toward the older adult patient are vital to the services they provide to this vulnerable population. The literature indicates that healthcare professionals in the ED lack geriatric-specific educational training [4]. Indeed, most nurses who graduated before 2005 did not receive a stand
Inside the Medicine Cabinet…Do you know your staff's common medication usage and how it can impac... more Inside the Medicine Cabinet…Do you know your staff's common medication usage and how it can impact their practice? Nursing Management. March 2009 ***Reprinted with permission.. No further reproduction is authorized without written permission from the Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins. This version of the document is not the version of record. Figures and/or pictures may be missing from this format of the document.*** *** Note: http://www.lww.com/ *** Note: This is not the final published version Article: A growing number of Americans use prescription and nonprescription medications on a regular basis. An aging population, rapid development and release of new medications, and changes in health practice are all responsible for increased usage.1 Indeed, in any given week, 81% of adults in the United States take at least one medication (prescription or over the counter [OTC]) and at least 50% take a prescription medication.2 Prevalence of use increases with age and by gender, with older women having the greatest medication use.2,3 Most Americans are also likely to take more than one medication (see Table 1). While medications are being used by most Americans, there's little information on the specific medications being used by RNs. Nurses working in hospital settings are faced with high job stress, staffing shortages, and increasing patient acuity and care needs. Many common medications are known to have adverse reactions that may interfere with work performance.
Aim To determine if younger and older hospital employed nurses have differences in their selfrepo... more Aim To determine if younger and older hospital employed nurses have differences in their selfreported health, health related productivity and quality of care. Background An understanding of age cohort differences may assist nurse managers in understanding the health related productivity and potential quality of care concerns of their staff. Method A cross-sectional survey design was utilised. There were 1171 usable surveys returned (47% response rate). Nurses over the age of 50 made up 26% of the respondents. Result Older nurses had a higher body mass index (BMI), higher mental well-being, higher pain scores, a 12% higher prevalence of having health problems, and reported a higher health related productivity loss than younger nurses. Implications for nursing management Nurse managers must determine if their older nurses are being given more difficult, complex patients because of their experience. Perhaps older nurses, especially those with health problems, need assignments that require their assessment and critical thinking skills rather than their strength and physical abilities.
content across the core courses. We present examples of content, strategies, and evaluation metho... more content across the core courses. We present examples of content, strategies, and evaluation methods that demonstrate infusion of gerontology in a nursing theory course, research course, and healthcare law and policy course. Twenty-two of the competencies are addressed in these core courses and provide a foundation for further development in the support and specialty courses for the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nursing administrator, nurse educator, and nurse anesthetist. We also present helpful Web-based resources for older adult care. Article: With the rapidly growing older adult population in the US and the continuing shortage of advanced practice nurses educated to care for older adults, several funded initiatives have been targeted at increasing the number of gerontological nurses. 2-4 However, many baccalaureateprepared nurses admitted to graduate nursing programs lack adequate preparation in gerontological nursing. In fact, Rosenfeld, Bottrell, Fulmer and Mezey reported < 25% of baccalaureate programs even require a gerontological nursing course.5 Because older adults comprise 80% of home care visits, 60% of ambulatory care appointments, and fill 58% of acute hospital beds, 6,7 it is almost inevitable that advanced practice nurses will encounter older adults in their practice.
Aim: The aim was to survey nurses with 2 to 3 years' experience to determine what factors were in... more Aim: The aim was to survey nurses with 2 to 3 years' experience to determine what factors were involved in the choice of their first nursing position and if they were still in that position. Background: A false sense that the nursing shortage has ended has occurred with nurses delaying retirement until the economy improves. However, the turnover rate still shows 26% of registered nurses leaving their first hospital position within 2 years. Methods: New graduate nurses were surveyed to determine if nursing was what they expected, what led them to their first position, if they were still in their first position, and factors that may have influenced these decisions. The 159 respondents also commented on their intent to stay and gave free-text responses. Results: Significant difference was found between the current unit worked with both the unit wanted while in nursing school and the unit wanted upon graduation. Positive and negative narrative comments shed light on factors influencing intent to stay. Conclusion: Nurses are concerned with ability to deliver safe care, supportive management, and teamwork. Implications for Nursing Management: Recommendations were made for nursing management in creating an environment of continued learning and teamwork to support new graduate nurses.
The nursing workforce is aging more rapidly than the workforce as a whole, and fewer young people... more The nursing workforce is aging more rapidly than the workforce as a whole, and fewer young people are entering the profession. It is imperative that older nurses be retained, not only for their experience and expertise, but also to prevent worsening an already critical nursing shortage. A descriptive survey design was used to determine the knowledge base and plans for the aging RN workforce by North Carolina hospitals and nursing homes. Nurses over age 55 made up 14.1% of the respondents&amp;amp;#39; RN staff. Most administrators are aware of the aging workforce and wish to retain older nurses. Unfortunately, 94% of facilities have no policies in place to address the needs of older nurses, and 87% admitted to having no immediate plans to do so. Specific recommendations are made to assist nurse managers in retaining the older RN.
Evidence has been reported in support of the reliability and validity of the Jefferson Scale of P... more Evidence has been reported in support of the reliability and validity of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) when used with physicians, medical students, and nurses. This study examined the psychometrics of a modified version of the scale in undergradu-ate nursing students. ...
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