Birgitta Bisholt

The learning process of recently graduated nurses in professional situations--experiences of an introduction program.

An increased theoretical focus and decreased clinical training have resulted in sharp criticism from health care institutions of the content of the nursing education program. As a consequence of this criticism, employers offer introduction programs to recently graduated nurses after they have completed their nursing education. This study is part one of a larger research study. The aim of the present study was to analyze and describe how recently graduated nurses learn at the place of work and how they seek a meaning in their encounter with that environment. The research method was ethnographic, and the empirical material was based upon data from participant observations, interviews and field notes. The results disclosed that workplaces using the master-apprentice system as a model for supervising recently graduated nurses during the introduction program. The results also showed that the novices have acquired theoretical knowledge and know what action to take, but may have trouble assessing which part of their knowledge to use. The introduction program constitutes an obstacle in the professional development of the novices.

Work stress among newly graduated nurses in relation to workplace and clinical group supervision

AIM The aim was to investigate occupational stress among newly graduated nurses in relation to the workplace and clinical group supervision. BACKGROUND Being a newly graduated nurse is particularly stressful. What remains unclear is whether the workplace and clinical group supervision affect the stress. METHOD A cross-sectional comparative study was performed in 2012. Data were collected by means of a numerical scale measuring occupational stress, questions about workplace and clinical group supervision. One hundred and thirteen nurses who had recently graduated from three Swedish universities were included in the study. RESULTS The stress was high among the newly graduated nurses but it differed significantly between workplaces, surgical departments generating the most stress. Nurses who had received clinical group supervision reported significantly less stress. The stress between workplaces remained significant also when participation in clinical group supervision was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS Newly graduated nurses experience great stress and need support, especially those in surgical departments. Nurses participating in clinical group supervision reported significantly less stress. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT It is important to develop strategies that help to adapt the work situation so as to give nurses the necessary support. Clinical group supervision should be considered as an option for reducing stress.

Clinical group supervision for integrating ethical reasoning Views from students and supervisors

Background: Clinical group supervision has existed for over 20 years in nursing. However, there is a lack of studies about the role of supervision in nursing students’ education and especially the focus on ethical reasoning. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe nursing students’ ethical reasoning and their supervisors’ experiences related to participation in clinical group supervision. Research design: The study is a qualitative interview study with interpretative description as an analysis approach. Participants and research context: A total of 17 interviews were conducted with nursing students (n = 12) who had participated in clinical group supervision in their first year of nursing education, and with their supervisors (n = 5). Ethical considerations: The study was based on the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, and permission was obtained from the Regional Ethical Review Board in Sweden. Findings: The analysis revealed that both the form and content of clinical group supervision stimulated reflection and discussion of handling of situations with ethical aspects. Unethical situations were identified, and the process uncovered underlying caring actions. Discussion and conclusion: Clinical group supervision is a model that can be used in nursing education to train ethical reflection and to develop an ethical competence among nursing students. Outcomes from the model could also improve nursing education itself, as well as healthcare organizations, in terms of reducing moral blindness and unethical nursing practice.

Value conflicts in perioperative practice

Background: The foundation of all nursing practice is respect for human rights, ethical value and human dignity. In perioperative practice, challenging situations appear quickly and operating theatre nurses must be able to make different ethical judgements. Sometimes they must choose against their own professional principles, and this creates ethical conflicts in themselves. Objectives: This study describes operating theatre nurses’ experiences of ethical value conflicts in perioperative practice. Research design: Qualitative design, narratives from 15 operating theatre nurses and hermeneutic text interpretation. Ethical consideration: The study followed ethical principles in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and approval was granted by the local university ethics committee. Findings: The result showed that value conflicts arose in perioperative practice when operating theatre nurses were prevented from being present in the perioperative nursing process, because of current habits in perioperative practice. The patient’s care became uncaring when health professionals did not see and listen to each other and when collaboration in the surgical team was not available for the patient’s best. This occurred when operating theatre nurses’ competence was not taken seriously and was ignored in patient care. Conclusion: Value conflicts arose when operating theatre nurses experienced that continuity of patient care was lacking. They experienced compassion with the patient but still had the will and ability to be there and take responsibility for the patient. This led to feelings of despair, powerlessness and of having a bad conscience which could lead to dissatisfaction, and even resignations.