PURPOSE: This study was designed to develop Nursing Service Quality Indicators(NSQIs) in nursing homes that would lead to an appropriate evaluation and improvement of nursing service quality. METHODS: The preliminary NSQIs were developed through literature reviews and analysis of existing quality indicators. A content validity testing was done twice by using a panel of experts who were from academia and the clinical areas. The final NSQIs were confirmed and applied in three nursing homes to test feasibility. RESULTS: The preliminary NSQIs had 4 domains and 31 indicators. Two content validity testings were performed. The indicators scoring over .80 CVI for each testing were selected and modified by experts' opinions. The final NSQIs consisted of7 domains and 33 indicators. They were applied in three nursing homes and it was revealed that all the indicators were applicable. CONCLUSION: In this study, it is shown that this new 'Nursing Service Quality Indicators in Nursing Homes' is suitable for a holistic evaluation of nursing service quality of elderly patients in nursing homes. This NSQIs will be able to provide a basis for establishing nursing care standards and improving the nursing care quality in nursing homes.
Humans ; Nursing Evaluation Research ; Nursing Homes/*standards ; Nursing Services/*standards ; *Quality Indicators, Health Care ; Reproducibility of Results

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to identify the factors influencing service quality in nursing homes, and to develop an evaluation instrument for service quality. METHODS: A three-phase process was employed for the study. 1) The important factors to evaluate the service quality in nursing homes were identified through a literature review, panel discussion and focus group interview, 2) the evaluation instrument was developed, and 3) validity and reliability of the study instrument were tested by factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha and Cohen's Kappa. RESULTS: Factor analysis showed that the factors influencing service quality in nursing homes were healthcare, diet/assistance, therapy, environment and staff. To improve objectivity of the instrument, quantitative as well as qualitative evaluation approaches were adopted. The study instrument was developed with 30 items and showed acceptable construct validity. The criterion-related validity was a Pearson correlation coefficient of .85 in 151 care facilities. The internal consistency was Cronbach's alpha=.95. CONCLUSION: The instrument has acceptable validity and a high degree of reliability. Staff in nursing homes can continuously improve and manage their services using the results of the evaluation instrument.
Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Nursing Evaluation Research ; *Nursing Homes/standards ; Program Development ; Quality of Health Care/*standards ; Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop performance measure indicators for hospital nursing units based on a Balanced Scorecard (BSC). METHOD: This study was a methodological study. The development process consisted of 3 stages. The first stage was setting up strategies for nursing units from a nursing department's mission and vision. The second stage was developing performance measure indicators after a validity check. The third stage was modifying developed performance measure indicators and classifying them. RESULTS: 7 strategies were set up according to 4 perspectives of a BSC. 15 performance measure indicators for hospital nursing units were developed, and the indicators were divided into 8 independent indicators and 7 shared indicators according to the degree of performance responsibility. In addition, they were classified into two groups, 7 leading indicators and lagging indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study suggests that performance measure indicators for hospital nursing units provide a framework and method for nursing organizations' performance management. Also, the developed indicators are expected to provide valuable information for successful organization management.
*Quality Indicators, Health Care ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/*standards ; Nursing Care/*standards ; Humans

PURPOSE: A curriculum development model is presented to examine the processes necessary to develop new programs or evaluate existing programs within the philosophy of outcomes-based education in nursing, especially in the context of accreditation. The philosophy of outcomes-based education is to produce individuals who can demonstrate the evidence of competencies in designated areas of education. For nursing education, this means competencies in performing the role of professional nursing as defined by the profession and social needs at the beginning level upon completing a nursing program. METHODS: A curriculum development model has been developed analytically based on the literature and experiences. RESULTS: A 10-step process framework incorporating the tenets of outcomes-based nursing education is illustrated. CONCLUSION: This curriculum development framework can be applied in developing new educational programs in nursing or to evaluate and revise existing programs in anticipation of the accreditation process that is moving with a full force in such countries as Korea.
Accreditation/standards ; Competency-Based Education ; Curriculum/*standards ; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/*standards ; Humans ; Models, Educational ; Students/*psychology

PURPOSE: This study was done to comparatively analyze the general education curriculum of 4-yr and 3-yr nursing schools in Korea. METHODS: Ten university 4-yr nursing schools were selected based on universities in Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing 2010 or "2009 Korea's Best Universities-Top 10" published by Joong-Ang Daily. Ten college 3-yr nursing schools were selected based on colleges in Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing 2010. RESULTS: 1) Generally 4-yr nursing schools maintained the relationships between organizational philosophy/purposes and subjects in the general education curriculum. But 3-yr nursing schools did not. 2) In 4-yr nursing schools there was a relatively higher credits ratio of general education curriculum and selective courses than in 3-yr nursing schools. 3) In 4-yr nursing schools variety of courses was relatively higher than 3-yr nursing schools. 4) In 4-yr nursing schools, operating conditions were relatively better (number of tenure professors, ratio of professors to students, Identification of exclusive organization in charge of the general education curriculum) for the general education curriculum than 3-yr nursing schools. CONCLUSION: The results identify significant differences in the general education curriculum of 4-yr and 3-yr nursing schools in Korea, indicating that 3-yr nursing schools should make efforts to improve the good quality of general education curriculum.
*Curriculum ; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/*standards/trends ; Education, Nursing, Diploma Programs/*standards/trends ; Humanities/*education ; Humans ; Nursing Education Research ; Republic of Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to set up a Nursing Core Competencies required for staff nurses and to set up Objectives for Nursing Clinical Education based on the Nursing Core Competencies. The objectives in this study are to be achieved ultimately through clinical practice because it is a common avenue of work and the basic objective regardless of the education system and curriculum. METHOD: A nursing Core Competencies were established by literature review and verified by 15 experts. Nursing Clinical Education Objectives were established by literature review and analysis, and a survey for validity using a five point Likert scale was given to 257 nursing professors, 503 head-nurses, 509 staff nurses who had less than 3 years clinical experience in 34 general hospitals and 738 senior student nurses from 81 nursing colleges. RESULT: Nine nursing core competencies were set up. In addition 39 Objectives for each of the nursing clinical core competencies were set up. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study will contribute to professional nursing education to provide comprehensive nursing care by applying knowledge to nursing practice to achieve the Nursing Core Competency as a professional nurse.
*Clinical Competence ; Education, Nursing/methods/*standards ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nurse Clinicians/*education ; Nursing Assessment/methods ; Nursing Education Research ; Nursing Staff/*education ; Nursing, Supervisory ; Schools, Nursing ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate RN-BSN students' clinical nursing competency in order to establish baseline data for developing nursing competency based clinical education for RN-BSN students. METHOD: A survey of 1,453 RN-BSN students from 21 nursing schools was conducted using a self administered questionnaire. RESULT: The mean score of the clinical nursing competency was 2.93. The scores for competency were shown as 2.91 for nursing management, 2.94 for developing professionalism & legal implementation, 2.95 for critical thinking, 2.96 for teaching & leadership, and data collection, basic nursing care, and communication were above 3.00. The items perceived as insufficient competency were physical examination and observation & monitoring in data collection, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, psycho-social care, spiritual care, hospice in basic nursing care, application of knowledge and theory, formulating nursing diagnosis, nursing care planning in critical thinking, education material development, leadership, delegation in teaching and leadership, analysis of organization, planning, infection control, role & job description, evaluation of nursing activities in nursing management, quality improvement, and research in developing professionalism and legal implementation. CONCLUSION: This study will contribute to developing a nursing competency based on clinical education for RN-BSN students who have various education needs and clinical backgrounds.
Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; *Clinical Competence ; Curriculum ; Data Collection ; Education, Nursing, Associate/*standards ; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/*standards ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nursing Education Research ; Questionnaires ; *Students, Nursing

INTRODUCTIONVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common risk among critically ill ventilated patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nurse-led education on: (a) knowledge of and compliance with ventilator care bundle (VCB) practices among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses; and (b) reduction in the rates of VAP post intervention.

METHODSA quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest evaluation and observation was used to investigate nurses' knowledge of and compliance with VCB practices, and the incidence of VAP. The study was conducted among 71 nurses, and the intervention involved structured education on VAP and its prevention using VCB in an ICU setting. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTSNurse-led education significantly increased nurses' knowledge of (t[70] = -36.19; p < 0.001) and compliance with (t[65] = -21.41; p < 0.001) VCB practices. The incidence of VAP, which was 39 per 1,000 ventilator days during the two-month period before intervention, dropped to 15 per 1,000 ventilator days during the two-month period following intervention.

CONCLUSIONOur findings show that nurse-led education on VAP and VCB significantly increased knowledge of and compliance with VCB practices among ICU nurses, and was associated with a reduction in the incidence of VAP among intubated and mechanically ventilated ICU patients. Inclusion of recent knowledge and evidence-based VCB guidelines for VAP prevention when educating anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists and other healthcare providers in the critical care setting is recommended.

Adult ; Clinical Competence ; Critical Care ; methods ; standards ; Critical Illness ; Education, Nursing ; Education, Nursing, Continuing ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Nursing ; standards ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; prevention & control ; Respiration, Artificial ; standards ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; standards ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide researchers with a simplified approach to undertaking exploratory factor analysis for the assessment of construct validity. METHODS: All articles published in 2010, 2011, and 2012 in Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing were reviewed and other relevant books and articles were chosen for the review. RESULTS: In this paper, the following were discussed: preliminary analysis process of exploratory factor analysis to examine the sample size, distribution of measured variables, correlation coefficient, and results of KMO measure and Bartlett's test of sphericity. In addition, other areas to be considered in using factor analysis are discussed, including determination of the number of factors, the choice of rotation method or extraction method of the factor structure, and the interpretation of the factor loadings and explained variance. CONCLUSION: Content validity is the degree to which elements of an assessment instrument are relevant to and representative of the targeted construct for a particular assessment purpose. This measurement is difficult and challenging and takes a lot of time. Factor analysis is considered one of the strongest approaches to establishing construct validity and is the most commonly used method for establishing construct validity measured by an instrument.
Analysis of Variance ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Nursing Research/*standards ; Publishing

PURPOSE: To develop and psychometrically test the Korean version of the Cultural Competence Scale for Nurses (K-CCSN). METHODS: A multi-phase questionnaire development method was used to develop the scale from November 2012 to April 2013. The item pool was generated based on literature review, existing scales and in-depth interviews. The content validity was evaluated twice by an expert panel. The scale validation was conducted with a convenience sample of 456 general hospital nurses recruited from five general hospitals and a nursing college in the Seoul Metropolitan Area of South Korea. The construct-related and criterion-related validity and internal consistency reliability of the scale were tested. RESULTS: The 33-item K-CCSN comprised four subscalesdcultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity and cultural skillsdexplaining 53.96% of the total variance. The criterion-related validity was supported by a known-group comparison. The reliability analysis showed an acceptable-to-high Cronbach's alpha in total and for subscales ranging from .879 to .932. CONCLUSION: This preliminary evaluation of psychometric scale properties demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. The K-CCSN is able to provide scientific and empirical data regarding the cultural competence of clinical nurses. However, further studies are needed to test the applicability of the scale in different settings and contexts.
Adult ; *Cultural Competency ; Culturally Competent Care/*standards ; Humans ; *Nursing Staff, Hospital ; Psychometrics/*standards ; Questionnaires ; Reproducibility of Results ; Republic of Korea ; *Students, Nursing