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☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Advanced Nursing

Motivations, Capacity Preparations and Development of Specialist Nurses: A Descriptive Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Por: Yu Zhao · Shiyu Wang · Siyu Fan · Na Zhang · Zhi Li · Yifeng Gu · Qun Wei · Bihong Yang · Weijuan Ye · Fengping Liu — Febrero 25th 2025 at 11:58

ABSTRACT

Aim

To explore the motivations, capacity preparations and career development plans of specialist nurses (SNs) to provide insights for promoting further specialisation in nursing and enhancing the quality of nursing services.

Design

A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study was conducted.

Methods

The study was conducted from April to May 2024 at a tertiary hospital in China. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit 35 nurses from various departments of the hospital who had completed specialist nursing training and obtained the necessary qualifications. These SNs participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews.

Results

Three overarching themes and ten subthemes were extracted. (1) career choices for SNs, included the following subthemes: ‘Social support’, ‘Specialist nursing is charismatic’, ‘Demand for specialized nursing’ and ‘Possessing specialized nursing qualities’. (2) career preparations for SNs, comprised subthemes such as ‘Professional preparation’, ‘Quality requirements’ and ‘Qualification requirements’. (3) career development for SNs, encompassed subthemes like ‘Personal growth’, ‘Team building’ and ‘Disciplinary developments’.

Conclusions

This study explores the motivations and experiences of SNs' career transitions, highlighting social support, the appeal of specialty nursing, industry demand and professional competence. Governments should provide resources for career preparation, while nurses should enhance their knowledge and skills. Becoming a SN marks a new career phase, requiring skill improvement, teamwork and discipline involvement. The study offers insights for general nurses transitioning to specialty nursing and informs SNs' career planning.

Implications for the Profession

These findings provide important guidance for the career development of nurses as specialists, highlighting the crucial role of government, hospitals and nursing advocates in fostering their professional growth.

Reporting Method

The study was reported following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Impact Statement

(1) Impact on patients: this study underscores the significance of specialised nursing care and its potential to improve patient outcomes through enhanced expertise and individualised care. (2) Impact on clinical practice: by identifying the motivations and preparations for SNs' career transitions, the research emphasises the importance of specialised knowledge and continuous professional development to enhance clinical practice and quality of care. (3) Impact on education: the study advocates for more comprehensive educational programs and continuous professional development for SNs, ensuring they stay updated with the latest practices and research. (4) Impact on social and economic issues: Promoting specialty nursing can help address healthcare challenges, particularly with aging populations and chronic diseases, improving healthcare efficiency and reducing costs through targeted care.

Implications for Practice/Policy

(1) Establishing a standardised training and certification system is essential to ensure the professionalism, consistency and quality of specialist nursing practice. (2) Developing well-defined career pathways with research opportunities, leadership training and skill enhancement programs fosters SNs' professional growth, and strengthens their ability to adapt to evolving healthcare demands. (3) Enhancing professional autonomy and interdisciplinary collaboration will maximise the impact of SNs in improving patient care and driving healthcare innovation.

☐ ☆ ✇ Journal of Clinical Nursing

Correlation Between Symptom Clusters and Self‐Management Among Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Por: Na Zhang · Hui Tu · Xiaoyun Xiong · Ting Guo · Xiaoxue Zhang · Ting Cheng · Ying Peng · Wenxin Li · Yihui Chen — Octubre 25th 2024 at 06:58

ABSTRACT

Aims and Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between symptom clusters and self-management among maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients.

Background

MHD patients experience disease progression and multiple symptom burdens that severely impact quality of life, and self-management of symptoms may significantly improve patient-reported outcomes.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive study included 194 patients undergoing MHD. The patients were assessed using the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI) and the Haemodialysis Self-Management Instrument (HD-SMI). We used descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis and linear regression analysis to examine (1) the level of individual self-management, (2) the presence of symptom clusters by symptom severity and (3) the correlation between symptom clusters and self-management behaviours. This study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE checklist.

Results

The top five most severe symptoms among the patients were itching, feeling tired or lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth and dry skin. We identified five groups of symptoms: (1) poor sleep, (2) neuromuscular, (3) gastrointestinal, (4) skin irritation and (5) psychological. In the present study, MHD patients reported low to moderate levels of self-management behaviours (50.84 ± 10.56), and low self-management ability was correlated with greater severity of the five symptom clusters (p < 0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed that all five symptom clusters were included in the regression equation, explaining 30% of the total variance in self-management skills among MHD patients.

Conclusion

Enhanced awareness of symptom clusters and comprehensive symptom management are necessary to improve patients' quality of life.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practices should incorporate comprehensive symptom assessments to help patients develop effective self-management strategies to improve quality of life.

☐ ☆ ✇ International Wound Journal

The effect of primary closure versus secondary closure techniques on postoperative wound pain in patients undergoing mandibular surgery: A meta‐analysis

Por: Lina Zhang · Lei Li — Marzo 27th 2024 at 00:38

Abstract

This research is intended to explore the influence of second and first degree closure methods on the degree of wound pain and swelling of the face following the removal of the mandible. For the purpose of this study, three data sets, including PubMed and Embase, were selected. A separate statistical analysis was conducted on the choice of the trial, the collection of data and the risk of bias. Differences between trials were analysed with a chi-square approach, with data analyses dependent on I 2. A sensitivity analysis was conducted, and a possible publication bias was evaluated. Ultimately, nine qualifying trials were chosen out of an original pool of 1922 related trials following an in-depth evaluation under the eligibility and exclusion criteria, as well as a follow-up screening. The results indicated that there was no statistically significant change in the degree of post-operation pain after 1 day operation between one or secondary closures of treatment (MD, −0.46; 95% CI, −0.93, 0.01, p = 0.06); the results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in post-operation wound pain after 3 days in two group (MD, −0.15; 95% CI, −0.68, 0.37, p = 0.56); the results showed that there were no statistically different effects on the post-operation wound pain after the 7th day in two groups (MD, −0.14; 95% CI, −0.31, 0.03, p = 0.1). The results showed that there were no statistically different effects on the post-operation wound pain after the 1 day in two groups (MD, −0.26; 95% CI, −0.38, −0.13, p < 0.0001); on the 3rd day after surgery, the face was significantly smaller swelling in the secondary closure of closure compared with the first-stage closure group (MD, −0.70; 95% CI, −1.40, −0.00, p = 0.05). While there is no obvious effect on post-operation wound pain in patients with mandibular surgery, there is significant difference in post-operation face swelling. The findings do not support a preference for any of these methods.

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