Showing papers in "Holistic Nursing Practice in 2001"
TL;DR: A significant difference was revealed between the pre- and post-WGCTA scores of traditional students and RN-BSN students, but not of accelerated students, indicating the best combination of liberal arts and nursing courses for the development of critical thinking abilities is needed.
Abstract: Although there are multiple ways of achieving baccalaureate-level nursing education, all graduates must demonstrate critical thinking abilities to practice competently. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in critical thinking abilities of students pursuing various pathways in the same baccalaureate nursing curriculum. Traditional, registered nurse-bachelor of science (RN-BSN), and accelerated students completed the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) at the beginning and end of their nursing course sequence. Findings revealed a significant difference between the pre- and post-WGCTA scores of traditional students (t = -2.84, P = .007) and RN-BSN students (t = -2.28, P = .029), but not of accelerated students. Similarities between the curricular pathways that could account for the results were analyzed. Further research is needed to determine the best combination of liberal arts and nursing courses for the development of critical thinking abilities.
62 citations
TL;DR: The art of the therapeutic use of self in relationships involves an aesthetic process of ongoing reflected action, whereby an individual strives toward a sense of harmony and balance within oneself and with the world.
Abstract: Nursing has shifted the focus of its praxis toward a commitment to holistic care. This holistic perspective suggests each nurse must bring an authentic self as the essential element of therapeutic participation with another human being. The art of the therapeutic use of self in relationships involves an aesthetic process of ongoing reflected action, whereby an individual strives toward a sense of harmony and balance within oneself and with the world. The artful use of self provides an opportunity for expansion and personal growth and actualizes the potential to expand the good of all.
60 citations
TL;DR: Following a curriculum revision, a school of nursing selected the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) as a standardized outcomes measure for its bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) program.
Abstract: Following a curriculum revision, which emphasized critical thinking, a school of nursing selected the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) as a standardized outcomes measure for its bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) program. Students in three tracks of the program were administered the CCTST on entry into the nursing curriculum and again on exit. Paired t tests for dependent samples were used to analyze pretest-posttest differences of all students (N = 136) in the program. Results for students in each of the three tracks demonstrated significantly improved (P < or = .05) CCTST scores on all subscales and total scores, with one exception. RN to BSN students' scores on the Analysis subscale approached but did not reach significance (P = .058). Implications for evaluation are discussed.
59 citations
TL;DR: The five concepts of Islamic beliefs from the religious texts of the Qur'an, Sunnah, and Hadith will be discussed followed by the implication of these beliefs for clinical practice.
Abstract: Muslims follow their Islamic traditions as they integrate into the US society. Islamic beliefs are reflected in everyday life, and care is viewed within a holistic context. A lack of understanding of Muslims and their cultural and religious traditions contributes to potential conflicts in health care. The five concepts of Islamic beliefs from the religious texts of the Qur'an, Sunnah, and Hadith will be discussed followed by the implication of these beliefs for clinical practice. Knowledge of these Islamic cultural and religious beliefs will help reduce potential culture care conflicts among Asian-Islamic immigrant women in US hospitals.
45 citations
TL;DR: The approach used to strengthen coping skills in communication, socialization, and self-expression in psychiatric patients using Rogers' theory of unitary human beings as the theoretical framework is described.
Abstract: Many patients with psychiatric disorders struggle with poor skills in coping, communication, socialization, and self-expression that may result in dysfunctional behavioral, cognitive, and emotional responses. Therapeutic music offers a noninvasive approach to strengthen these skills and effect behavior change. At a regional inpatient psychiatric hospital in Colorado, a program of therapeutic music was developed using Rogers' theory of unitary human beings as the theoretical framework. This article describes the approach used to strengthen coping skills in communication, socialization, and self-expression. Suggestions are made for developing a program of music with similar patient populations.
42 citations
TL;DR: Why culture is so vital at all stages of life is described and insight is provided into how death, dying, grief, and loss are viewed from a cross-cultural perspective with a focus on African Americans.
Abstract: Culture is a critical component of what shapes human experience throughout life. Unfortunately, at the end of life cultural considerations often take a back seat to considerations related to disease processes and functional ability. This article describes why culture is so vital at all stages of life. It also attempts to provide insight into how death, dying, grief, and loss are viewed from a cross-cultural perspective with a focus on African Americans. It presents practice implications for health care professionals.
40 citations
TL;DR: A conceptual framework is presented as a model to explain the relationship between variables contributing to critical thinking as it is manifested in clinical judgment and a developmental model is presented to align the development of cognitive capabilities and the application of those capabilities in the subprocesses of the nursing process.
Abstract: Students entering nursing education present with a range of critical-thinking skills and dispositions that are affected by genetic influences, modeling by others, and formal learning experiences. The experience of higher education further contributes, positively or negatively, to the development of those skills and dispositions over time. A conceptual framework is presented as a model to explain the relationship between variables contributing to critical thinking as it is manifested in clinical judgment. A developmental model is presented to align the development of cognitive capabilities and the application of those capabilities in the subprocesses of the nursing process. Implications for nurse educators related to the understanding of critical-thinking development of students are discussed.
34 citations
TL;DR: An extended epistemology derived from the work of John Heron that better reflects the full range of knowing utilized by holistic nurses is described.
Abstract: The transformation from traditional nursing practice to holistic nursing is one that requires recognition of multiple ways of knowing. Transformative learning theory reflects a strong bias toward cognitive epistemology and propositional knowing. This epistemology, labeled here as truncated, rests on an understanding of experience derived from pragmatism. This article describes an extended epistemology derived from the work of John Heron that better reflects the full range of knowing utilized by holistic nurses. This epistemology provides a foundation for innovative approaches for the development of holistic awareness in the training and continuing professional development of nurses. One such approach, collaborative inquiry, is described.
32 citations
TL;DR: Hospice care is dedicated to alleviating the pain of dying people through bringing unconditional love to the patient's sense of self-hatred and inner criticism.
Abstract: Hospice care is dedicated to alleviating the pain of dying people. In addition to physical, social, and psychological pain, religious or spiritual pain can add to the struggles of many patients. Religious pain is rooted in guilt leading toward punishment and experienced as fear. It is resourced through the positive teachings of the patient's religious legacy. Spiritual pain is rooted in shame leading a patient to abandon hope in God's love. It is resourced through bringing unconditional love to the patient's sense of self-hatred and inner criticism.
27 citations
TL;DR: Paterson and Zderad's humanistic nursing theory can be used to meet the spiritual needs of terminally ill persons in the home setting to help dying persons develop a "more-being" in themselves as the triad of person, family, and nurse share the lived experiences.
Abstract: Paterson and Zderad's humanistic nursing theory can be used to meet the spiritual needs of terminally ill persons in the home setting. The spiritual needs, as identified by Highfield and Cason, are applied to the hospice patient. The comforts of the home environment and humanistic nursing practice are integrated in the "meetings" between dying persons, their families, and hospice nurses. These meetings contribute to fulfilling the spiritual needs of terminally ill persons. Hospice nurses practicing holistic nursing and using caring behaviors help dying persons develop a "more-being" in themselves as the triad of person, family, and nurse share the lived experiences.
26 citations
TL;DR: Study results indicate that clinical nursing practice facilitates both personal and professional development of nurses by fostering an examination of the concepts of self-respect, hope, control, vulnerability, acceptance, loss, and persistence.
Abstract: In this study, a qualitative interpretivist perspective was used to analyze the following research question: How does clinical nursing practice facilitate learning? Forty nurses working in acute care, long-term care, and home care were interviewed about their clinical practice experiences and the learning that resulted. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative method. Study results indicate that clinical nursing practice facilitates both personal and professional development of nurses by fostering an examination of the concepts of self-respect, hope, control, vulnerability, acceptance, loss, and persistence. Implications for continuing educators and staff development instructors are drawn.
TL;DR: This work offers an example of one school's holistic approach to the evaluation of critical thinking by using student writing assignments, which created a model for the development of program-specific critical thinking competencies, and implemented a holistic assessment plan for data collection and analysis.
Abstract: This work offers an example of one school's holistic approach to the evaluation of critical thinking by using student writing assignments. Faculty developed tools to assess achievement of critical thinking competencies, such as analysis, synthesis, insight, reflection, open mindedness, and depth, breadth, and appropriateness of clinical interventions. Faculty created a model for the development of program-specific critical thinking competencies, selected appropriate writing assignments that demonstrate critical thinking, and implemented a holistic assessment plan for data collection and analysis. Holistic assessment involves the identification of shared values and practices, and the use of concepts and language important to nursing.
TL;DR: Staff nurses describe a transformation of perspective when adopting decision-making, leadership-oriented roles and recount the factors that influence and nurture their confidence and acceptance.
Abstract: A major component of nurse job satisfaction is autonomy of clinical practice, recognition by colleagues, and participation in decision making relative to patient outcomes. Shared governance provides the framework for autonomy and control of practice, yet implementation of this model implies staff participation as leaders. Staff nurses describe a transformation of perspective when adopting decision-making, leadership-oriented roles and recount the factors that influence and nurture their confidence and acceptance.
TL;DR: Issues of learning, education, practice, and leadership heighten the appreciation of transformations in professional nursing and awareness of the "culture of technology in nursing" upholds the transformation of professional nursing as an imperative for contemporary knowledgeable practice.
Abstract: Rozzano C. Locsin, RN-C, PhD Fulbright Scholar and Visiting Professor of Nursing Faculty of Medicine Mbarara University of Science and Technology Mbarara, Uganda and Associate Professor of Nursing Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida T HE issues of learning, education, practice, and leadership heighten the appreciation of transformations in professional nursing. A critical issue taking center stage is the continuously debated association among the concepts of technology, caring, and nursing. Often, it is awareness of the “culture of technology in nursing” that upholds the transformation of professional nursing as an imperative for contemporary knowledgeable practice. Culture is “how a group of people think, believe, and behave,” (1,p.13) while technology refers to the Greek concepts techne, the know-how of making things, and logus, the study or rational order of things. 2
TL;DR: Findings indicated that men who were more likely to report excellent health status were older Caucasians, had more than a high school education, an annual income over $25,021, were living with others, and were married.
Abstract: There is limited data on the relationship between perceived health status and the demographic variables of education and income in African American men. A sample of 2,001 men (72% African Americans and 28% Caucasians) who were participating in prostate cancer screening was studied to identify predictors of men's health status. Data on the concepts of self-rated health status, age, race, education, income, living arrangements, and marital status were collected. Findings indicated that men who were more likely to report excellent health status were older Caucasians, had more than a high school education, an annual income over 25,021 dollars, were living with others, and were married. Men more likely to report fair health status were older African Americans, unmarried, had less than a high school education, had an annual income less than 9,600 dollars, were living alone, and were unmarried. Implications for targeting at-risk men are presented.
TL;DR: To provide congruent spiritual care, it was suggested that nurses need to expand their own knowledge and understanding of spirituality; integrate spirituality in their nursing care; and improve communication with their clients and their families.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of spirituality and its expression among persons in a Japanese farming community It was found that spirituality was described as "living in harmony with nature and surrounding people" Common expressions of this spirituality were through faith and ways of worship, prayer, search for inner peace, hope and thanksgiving, including spiritual well-being The latter was defined as showing thanks to nature, ancestors, and people; caring for surrounding people; and peacefully embracing the concept of death To provide congruent spiritual care, it was suggested that nurses need to expand their own knowledge and understanding of spirituality; integrate spirituality in their nursing care; and improve communication with their clients and their families
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the compelling evidence that a significant majority of the older population experience pain that interferes with quality of life and normal functioning, and they identify both acute and chronic pain.
Abstract: Pain is an undertreated, understudied problem in the growing elder population. Clinicians need to consider the compelling evidence that a significant majority of this population experience pain that interferes with quality of life and normal functioning. The barriers to adequate pain management must be addressed and misconceptions corrected. It is critical to identify both acute and chronic pain. Pain assessment and reassessment need to be performed regularly and used in treatment selection. Consideration of physiologic changes that occur in the aged will guide choices of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies. Pain assessment and treatment must be recognized as fundamental care issues.
TL;DR: E Epidemiology and evaluation of hypertension, as well as common pharmacokinetics of several common and new oral and parenteral antihypertensive agents, are described.
Abstract: Hypertensive emergencies and hypertensive urgencies represent a large percentage of major medical emergencies and have the potential of producing serious organ damage or death if not treated promptly and selectively. Several classifications of antihypertensive agents are discussed, with emphasis on selecting agents appropriate for patients' hypertension manifestations and comorbid situations. Epidemiology and evaluation of hypertension, as well as common pharmacokinetics of several common and new oral and parenteral antihypertensive agents, are described. Special nursing considerations of medication administration and gerontology concepts are included.
TL;DR: The traditional historical and cultural roots of the hypnotic experience and use of “trance” and “suggestion" are addressed and how nurses often unknowingly use these phenomena and can intentionally use trance and suggestion in their practices is explored.
Abstract: Trance is a normal psychophysiological phenomenon. Suggestion is the purposeful use of that phenomenon and the heart of hypnosis. Suggestion deepens and enriches trance and promotes beneficial changes, or healing, within the individual. This article addresses the traditional historical and cultural roots of the hypnotic experience and use of "trance" and "suggestion." How nurses often unknowingly use these phenomena and can intentionally use trance and suggestion in their practices is explored.
TL;DR: Within the ambiguous and uncertain world of nursing practice, a scientific and rational approach to decision-making is inappropriate and professional judgment in the decisionmaking process cannot be prescribed.
Abstract: Rozzano C. Locsin, RN-C, PhD Fulbright Scholar and Visiting Professor Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Mbarara University of Science and Technology Mbarara, Uganda and Associate Professor of Nursing Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida I propose that within the ambiguous and uncertain world of nursing practice, a scientific and rational approach to decision-making is inappropriate. More importantly, professional judgment in the decisionmaking process cannot be prescribed, as practitioners cope with the uncertainties and challenges of everyday clinical practice in a very complex and individual way.1(p. 289)
TL;DR: Research has demonstrated that acupuncture may benefit those who suffer from back pain when they have failed to respond to previous treatment by drugs, bed rest, epidural injection, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractics, and surgery.
Abstract: Back pain affects more than 9 million people in the United States and accounts for 25% of disability in all work-related injuries. It has a lifetime prevalence of 60%-90% and it costs more than $50 billion annually to manage back pain. The incidence of back pain in nurses is over 80% and accounts for more than 150 million working days per year being lost. Western treatment of back pain is controversial and often ineffective. Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is practiced widely in the United States. Research has demonstrated that acupuncture may benefit those who suffer from back pain when they have failed to respond to previous treatment by drugs, bed rest, epidural injection, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractics, and surgery. Acupuncture is a powerful and complementary therapy for back pain.
TL;DR: This is a report of the results of a qualitative research study that investigated the informal learning and changes experienced by 20 members of an exemplary chapter of critical care nurses as they advanced from being new members to becoming officers and board members.
Abstract: This is a report of the results of a qualitative research study that investigated the informal learning and changes experienced by 20 members of an exemplary chapter of critical care nurses as they advanced from being new members to becoming officers and board members. Qualitative research methods were used that included analysis of critical incidents, documents, and individual interviews. Methods used, results of the study, and conclusions and recommendations are discussed.
TL;DR: The stories of a cadre of healers in Belize who model an integration of the traditional and the professional and how they have accomplished it are told.
Abstract: Few countries in the world offer health care enthusiasts the chance to explore holistic models more than the tiny country of Belize in Central America. Situated in the lush rain forests of the tropics, Belize provides the context for practitioners who are trying to blend treatment modalities as old as the Mayan Empire with the unrelenting influx of intensive care technologies from the West. Herein are the stories of a cadre of healers in Belize who model an integration of the traditional and the professional and how they have accomplished it.
TL;DR: A demographic profile of the hypertensive adult in South Texas is provided, reflecting Mexican-American populations and suggesting the density of risk factors may be responsible for the patterns of South Texas hypertension.
Abstract: This article provides a demographic profile of the hypertensive adult in South Texas. Hypertension, a silent disease because of its lack of overt signs and symptoms, poses a major public health problem. Few prevalence studies have been completed reflecting Mexican-American populations. South Texas hypertension trends are comparable to national trends. However, the awareness of hypertension in South Texas is lower than that of the national population. The density of risk factors may be responsible for the patterns of South Texas hypertension.
TL;DR: The purpose of this article is to identify four herbs that consumers commonly select for the treatment of hypertension and identify nursing care considerations for their use and to review research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for hypertension.
Abstract: The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization have targeted the treatment of mild or borderline hypertension as a critical health care issue. Conventional practitioners' focus on more intensive treatment for blood pressure elevations in the lower ranges is accompanying the consumer-driven movement toward the use of complementary methods. Over 60 million Americans used herbal therapies in the past year, and visits to complementary care practitioners are expected to increase beyond the 425 million now made annually. The purpose of this article is to identify four herbs that consumers commonly select for the treatment of hypertension and identify nursing care considerations for their use. Additionally, the article reviews research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for hypertension, along with nursing care implications for patients.
TL;DR: An audit tool based on national standards is offered to evaluate how actual treatment measures up to the published standard of care for essential hypertension.
Abstract: Published guidelines set the standard of care for essential hypertension. The authors offer an audit tool based on national standards to evaluate how actual treatment measures up to the published standard of care. The measure of quality of care is based on three assumptions: Recording essential observations is an integral part of optimal health care What is recorded took place and what is not recorded did not take place If documentation of essential events agrees with audit criteria, the outcome of care will most likely be optimal
TL;DR: Clinical practice issues center around obtaining accurate blood pressure measurements and educating patients about health promotion interventions and use of medications, which are important in the education of the beginning nurse student.
Abstract: This article discusses issues and trends in care of the hypertensive client that pertain to practice, education, research, and health policy. Clinical practice issues center around obtaining accurate blood pressure measurements and educating patients about health promotion interventions and use of medications. These topics are important in the education of the beginning nurse student as well. Researchers have studied risk factors, incidence, and prevalence in global populations; use of pharmacologic agents; and investigative methods employing technology. Researchers are beginning to explore more holistic approaches to controlling risk factors before hypertension occurs. Funding for public education regarding prevention and control of hypertension is a number one health policy issue.
TL;DR: Three dominant themes essential to this rural island lifeway emerged: no one is an island, no one lives alone; securely anchored in safe harbor; and weathering the storms.
Abstract: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover, describe, and understand the lived experience of some of Maine's most isolated elder women, those living alone on islands off the coast. Nine women, age 80 and older, were interviewed. Three dominant themes essential to this rural island lifeway emerged: no one is an island, no one lives alone; securely anchored in safe harbor; and weathering the storms. Results were that these women remain actively engaged in life, feeling valued and connected, safe and secure; they are resourceful, resilient, and determined.