Daniela Mecugni

The Italian validation of the Salford-Scott Nursing Values Questionnaire:

Background: To properly direct nursing training and to improve the professional practice to become more effective, it is important to understand students’ values. Literature review has shown that there have been changes in students’ values in the last 20 years. In contemporary students, a general decrease in altruism has been observed, but also a larger appreciation for honesty toward patients has been declared. The analyzed literature did not find validated tools available in Italian that explore personal and professional values of nursing students. Design of the study: This study was an Italian linguistic and cultural adaptation of a research tool. Purpose: The authors aimed to validate, for the Italian context, the Salford-Scott Nursing Values Questionnaire, enhanced by Johnson to explore the nursing profession’s values. Methods: The Beaton Model was used as well as Valmi’s. These models require five phases, with the goal of producing a pre-final version of the instrument for it to then be administered to a sample of the target and expert population. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the Council of the Nursing Degree University course of the Modena and Reggio Emilia University, Reggio Emilia site, and the identity of the subjects was protected at every moment of the testing. Results: Face validation was achieved since the clarity percentile for each item was 100%. Content validity was also reached, measured from the content validity index and the scale validity index. The study has confirmed the reliability of the instrument’s internal consistence with a value of Cronbach’s alpha on 0.95 of total of items. The reliability of the test–retest confirms the stability of the instrument in time (r = 0.908; p = 0.01). Conclusion: The study concludes that the instrument is ready to be administered to the target population, a sample group of nursing students.

Use of High Fidelity Simulation: A Two-Year Training Project Experience for Third Year Students in Nursing Course Degree of Reggio Emilia

Nursing students at the end of their studies are supposed to own skills that allow them, in a short time, to act effectively and safely. Therefore, it is of primary importance that during the training period they have the opportunity, under protected conditions, to practice the management of scenarios realistically representative of the clinical setting.

Is early integration of palliative care feasible and acceptable for advanced respiratory and gastrointestinal cancer patients? A phase 2 mixed-methods study:

Background: There is evidence that early integration of palliative care improves quality of life, lowers spending and helps clarify preferences and goals for advanced cancer patients. Little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of early integration. Aim: Assessing feasibility of early integration of palliative care, and exploring concerns perceived and problems encountered by patients, relatives and oncologists. Design: A phase 2 mixed-methods study (ClinicalTrials.Gov:NCT02078700). Methods: Oncologists of two outpatient clinics offered a specialised palliative care intervention integrated with standard oncological care to all consecutive newly diagnosed metastatic respiratory/gastrointestinal cancer patients. We interviewed samples of patients, relatives and oncologists to explore strengths and weaknesses of the intervention. Results: The intervention was proposed to 44/54 eligible patients (81.5%), 40 (90.1%) accepted, 38 (95.0%) attended the first palliative care visit. The intervention was completed for 32 patients (80.0%). It did not start for three (7.5%) and was interrupted for three patients who refused (7.5%). The Palliative Care Unit performed 274 visits in 38 patients (median per patient 4.5), and 24 family meetings with relatives of 16 patients. All patients and most relatives referred to the usefulness of the intervention, specifically for symptoms management, information and support to strategies for coping. Oncologists highlighted their difficulties in informing patients on palliative intervention, sharing information and coordinating patient’s care with the palliative care team. Conclusion: Early integration of palliative care in oncological setting seems feasible and well accepted by patients, relatives and, to a lesser extent, oncologists. Some difficulties emerged concerning patient information and inter-professional communication.

Nursing student plans for the future after graduation: a multicentre study

BACKGROUND When modelling the nursing workforce, estimations of the numbers and characteristics of new graduates over the forecast period are assumed on the basis of previous generations; however, new graduates may have different plans for their future than those documented previously in different socio-economical contexts. AIMS To explore (a) nursing student plans after graduation and factors influencing their plans, and (b) factors associated with the intention to emigrate. METHODS A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to students attending their final third year of nursing education in seven universities in Italy in 2015. Nine hundred and twenty-three (90.4%) students participated. FINDINGS Four different plans after graduation emerged: about two-thirds reported an intention to look for a nursing job in Italy; the remaining reported (a) an intention to emigrate, looking for a nursing job abroad, (b) an intention to search for a nursing job in both Italy and abroad, and (c) while a few an intention to continue nursing education in Italy. Having previous experience abroad, the need to grow and be satisfied, trusting the target country and a desire to increase knowledge encouraged an intention to emigrate, whereas the desire to stay in a comfortable environment and nurture personal relationships prevented the desire to migrate. CONCLUSION Nursing students may have different plans after graduation, and this should be considered when modelling the nursing workforce of the future. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING/HEALTH POLICY Policymakers should be aware of different plans after graduation to guide healthcare human resource strategies. Knowing these trajectories allows policymakers to estimate the appropriate nursing workforce, and also to act at both macro- and meso-levels, on work environments and opportunities for professional development, according to the different levels of expectations.

[Nursing competences and basic education: descriptive study on new-graduate nurses].

La pressante necessita, delle organizzazione sanitarie, di avere neolaureati fin da subito in grado di assumersi responsabilita, insieme ai radicali cambiamenti del percorso formativo, hanno indotto la comunita professionale nazionale ed internazionale a discutere della preparazione degli infermieri neolaureati. Obiettivo. Descrivere se gli infermieri neolaureati al Corso di Laurea (CdL) in Infermieristica di Reggio Emilia, assunti entro un anno dalla laurea, hanno competenze adeguate alle richieste delle organizzazioni sanitarie. Metodo. Cinquanta coordinatori infermieristici delle Unita Operative, pubbliche o convenzionate, dove lavorano da almeno un mese gli infermieri neolaureati nell’anno accademico 2009-2010, sono stati intervistati telefonicamente. Sono state individuate 34 competenze raggruppate in 6 aree: presa in carico, tecnica, gestionale, comunicazione e relazionale, deontologia professionale e formazione-aggiornamento professionale. Ogni competenze e stata valutata con una scala Likert da 1 incapace a 5 capace. Risultati. L’infermiere neolaureato e in grado di identificare i problemi assistenziali del paziente (media 4.1±0.8), di eseguire le tecniche infermieristiche (media 4.4±0.7) e di rispettare i tempi organizzativi (media 4.2±0.8). Secondo tutti i coordinatori possiede le competenze necessarie per lavorare nelle unita operative. Conclusioni. I livelli di competenza dei neolaureati nelle aree indagate sembrano adeguati per ricoprire il ruolo di infermiere, dopo un breve periodo di affiancamento a infermieri esperti.UNLABELLED The pressing need by the health organizations of new-graduate nurses immediately able to take full charge of the ward, together with the radical changes of nursing education, led the professional community to discuss the education of new-graduate nurses. AIM To describe if new-graduate nurses at the Nursing Degree Course in Reggio Emilia, have the competences adequate to the demands of the health care organizations. METHODS Fifty ward Nursing Manager of a National health Service, where new-graduate nurses of the 2009-2010 academic year were emploied by at least one month were interviewed by phone. A list of 34 competences were identified and grouped into six skill areas (taking care, technical, managerial, communication, professional ethics, education and professional updating); for each, respondents had to rank the level of compentence on a Likert scale from 1 not able to 5 fully able. RESULTS According to Nursing Managers new-graduate nurses are able to identify the patient care problems (mean score 4.1+0.8), to perform nursing techniques (mean score 4.4+0.7) and to meet the deadlines of the organizations (mean score 4.2+0.8). All Nursing Managers agree that new-graduate nurses have required skills and knowledge to work in their units. DISCUSSION The level of expertise of by new-graduates in the areas investigated appears adequate to fulfill the role of nurse in health care organizations after a short period of coaching by a senior nurse.