PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of an action learning based creative problem-solving (CPS) course on problem solving, creativity and team-member exchange in nursing students. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study applying a non-equivalent control group pre-post design was employed. Sophomore nursing students (32 in the experimental group and 33 in the control group) were recruited from a university in G-city, Korea. Problem solving, creativity and team-member exchange were measured for the pretest and posttest using self-report questionnaires. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and ANCOVA with SPSS/Win 20.0 program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The scores for problem solving, creativity and team-member exchange in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicate that an action learning based CPS course is an effective teaching method to improve nursing students' competencies. In the future longitudinal studies are needed to assess the long term effects of the course.
Creativity ; Humans ; Korea ; Learning* ; Longitudinal Studies ; Nursing ; Problem Solving ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Students, Nursing* ; Teaching

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing nurse turnover intention in small and medium sized hospitals in the metropolitan area. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A questionnaire was distributed to the nurses in small and medium sized hospitals. The data of 209 nurses was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. RESULTS: Organizational commitment and age were identified as factors influencing turnover intention. These factors explained 56.8% of variance of turnover intention. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that establishment of organizational commitment needs to be discussed and continuously developed. Further study is also necessary to identify the key mechanism in nurse turnover intention.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Intention* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the effects of a blended learning program on ethical values in undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: This study was a one group pretest-posttest design. Seventy-one undergraduate nursing students who were taking a nursing ethics course at K University in S city were conveniently selected. The blended learning program was undertaken for 120 minutes one day weekly for 15 weeks. It consisted of case-based learning through an online method combined with problem-based learning offline. Scores for ethical value were measured using the ethical values scale. RESULTS: The ethical values score increased significantly in the students after the blended learning (p=.004). Of the subgroup of ethical values human-life, relationship with collaborator, and nursing job scores increased significantly in students after the blended learning, respectively (p=.034; p<.001; p<.001), the score for area as relationship with nursing clients decreased significantly in the students after the blended learning (p<.001). CONCLUSION: The blended learning program was identified as an educational program which induces a positive effect on the development of ethical values in undergraduate nursing students, and in future it can be utilized in nursing ethics education.
Education ; Ethics, Nursing ; Humans ; Learning* ; Nursing ; Problem-Based Learning ; Students, Nursing*

PURPOSE: This study was done to measure the level of social support, self-esteem, and empowerment and to identify any effect of social support and self-esteem on the empowerment of nurses. METHODS: The study design was a descriptive survey using questionnaires which were given to 381 nurses in C province. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The mean score for nurses' empowerment was 2.83+/-0.66. Seven individual characteristics, social support(family, meaningful persons, supervisors, and co-workers) and self-esteem accounted for 23.3% of the variance in nurses' empowerment. Prediction elements influencing empowerment of nurses were salary per month, self-esteem, and social support(supervisors). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that it is necessary to increase nurses' empowerment. Social support by supervisors and self-esteem were confirmed as important factors to increase nurses' empowerment. In addition, raising the monthly average income would increase empowerment of nurses.
Humans ; Power (Psychology)* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Sociology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a patient classification system based on nursing care intensity for patients with acute stroke-related symptoms and verify its validity and reliability. METHODS: Data were collected between November, 2013 and February, 2014. The verification for content validity of the patient classification system was conducted by a group of seven professionals. Both interrater reliability and concurrent validity were verified at stroke units in tertiary hospitals. RESULTS: The intensive nursing care for acute stroke patients consisted of 14 classified domains and 56 classified contents by adding 'neurological assessment and observation' and 'respiratory care': 'hygiene', 'nutrition', 'elimination', 'mobility and exercise', 'education or counselling', 'emotional support', 'communication', 'treatment and examination', 'medication', 'assessment and observation', 'neurological assessment and observation', 'respiratory care', 'coordination between departments', and 'discharge or transfer care'. Each domain was classified into four levels such as Class I, Class II, Class III, and ClassIV. CONCLUSION: The results show that this patient classification system has satisfactory validity for content and concurrent and verified reliability and can be used to accurately estimate the demand for nursing care for patients in stroke units.
Classification* ; Humans ; Nursing Care ; Nursing* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Stroke* ; Tertiary Care Centers

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop a schematized alarm-managing manual for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and to investigate its effects in maintaining continuity in the patients' treatment and promptly resolving alarms when CRRT is being carried out. METHODS: Sixtynurses from two medical intensive care units (ICUs) (one experimental and one control) at one hospital were asked to answer a questionnaire including their CRRT nursing competency and satisfaction with the manual. Data on alarm resolution rate were collected by analyzing existing data, such as the details of each alarm and the number of resolutions around the clock in the CRRT device. RESULTS: The alarm resolution rate and some of CRRT nursing competency scores in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group. The experimental group was also satisfied with the manual. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that the schematized alarm-managing manual can be useful for ICU nurses to resolve alarms and can be used as a guideline. Application of this manual to clinical practices and its use can therefore, be encouraged through continuous educationand promotion.
Intensive Care Units* ; Mental Competency* ; Nursing* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Renal Replacement Therapy*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify moderating and mediating effects of social support in the relationship between work-family conflict, job satisfaction and turnover intention among married women nurses. METHODS: The sample for this study consisted of 225 married female nurses from two hospitals located in Seoul. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS 21.0 program. RESULTS: (a) Social support of married female nurses had significant moderating and mediating effects between work-family conflict and job satisfaction. (b) Social support of married female nurses had significant moderating and mediating effects between work-family conflict and turnover intention. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that social support is an important factor in work-family conflict, job satisfaction and turnover intention among married female nurses. Supervisor support is important to married nurses as social support as it is controlled by the organization. Therefore, supportive relationships based on mutual respect between supervisors and nurses are necessary for a creative organizational atmosphere and system.
Atmosphere ; Female ; Humans ; Intention* ; Job Satisfaction* ; Negotiating* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of clinical nurses over 40 years of age who were shift workers. METHODS: Data were collected from in-depth interviews with 10 clinical nurses over 40 years of age who had at least 10 years of clinical experience and who worked in 5 acute care hospitals. The data were analyzed using Braun & Clark's thematic analysis. RESULTS: One main theme, 3 themes, and 9 subthemes were derived. The main theme was "Sustaining a position still in conflict", and themes were as follows; "Being trained as a professional nurse", "Having unfavorable working conditions and damaged self-esteem", "Trying hard to get a sense of value as an experienced nurse" CONCLUSION: The results of this study show the issues of age and generational diversities in nurses in acute care hospitals. It is necessary to explore various ways to utilize the experience of older clinical nurses for the integrity of nursing organization and the development of the nursing profession.
Nursing ; Qualitative Research

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting the social distance between minority groups and nursing cadets. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A questionnaire was distributed to the entire Armed Forces Nursing Academy cadets. Data from 273 nursing cadets were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and Stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Social distance had positive correlations with collective identity (r=.28) and multiculturalism (r=.37). A negative correlation was found between social distance and perceived threat (r=-.38). Perceived threat, multiculturalism, collective identity, and frequency of contact with minorities were identified as factors affecting the social distance. The model explained 24% of the variables. CONCLUSION: To effectively respond to the minority groups' nursing needs in the army, educational programs which help to reduce the perceived threat, to strengthen multiculturalism, and to establish a healthy collective identity of nursing cadets need to be developed.
Arm ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cultural Diversity ; Minority Groups* ; Nursing* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Distance*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning and essence of happiness by exploring and describing career nurses' lived experiences. METHODS: Qualitative research was used in this study. Hospital nurses who had 3~5 years of experience in the clinical setting were interviewed and the data were analysed using Giorgi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: Six main meanings and seventeen themes emerged. The six main meanings were as follows: self-confidence as a professional nurse, passion for self-realization, feeling of satisfaction in performance of nursing care, being grateful for working environment, emotional intimacy in interpersonal relationships, and taking delight and pleasure in leisure life. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide deep understanding of happiness as positive experiences that increase job satisfaction and aid retention to the nursing profession. These results can be used in the development of effective strategies to improve and expand nurses' happiness.
Happiness* ; Job Satisfaction ; Leisure Activities ; Nursing ; Nursing Care ; Pleasure ; Qualitative Research