Showing papers by "Karen Francis published in 2014"
TL;DR: The employed nurse workforce would benefit from a psychosocial capacity building intervention that reduces a nurse's risk profile, thus enhancing retention and reducing burnout.
Abstract: Aim: This is the first two-phase Australian study to explore the factors impacting upon compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression and stress and to describe the strategies nurses use to build compassion satisfaction into their working lives.
Background: Compassion fatigue has been found to impact on job satisfaction, the quality of patient care and retention within nursing. This study provides new knowledge on the influences of anxiety, stress and depression and how they relate to compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue.
Method: In Phase 2 of the study, 10 nurses from Phase 1 of the study participated in individual interviews and a focus group. A semi-structured interview schedule guided the conversations with the participants.
Result: Data analysis resulted in seven main themes: social networks and support; infrastructure and support; environment and lifestyle; learning; leadership; stress; and suggestions to build psychological wellness in nurses.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that a nurse's capacity to cope is enhanced through strong social and collegial support, infrastructure that supports the provision of quality nursing care and positive affirmation. These concepts are strongly linked to personal resilience.
Implications for nursing management: These findings support the need for management to develop appropriate interventions to build resilience in nurses.
291 citations
Book Chapter•
01 Sep 2014
TL;DR: This chapter provides details of methods for building a community profile in which rural nurses and midwives work, which forms the basis for planning to address the burden of disease and inequity in health outcomes and accessibility to services in rural and remote areas.
Abstract: [Extract] Working effectively in any community requires understanding of the community Such an understanding can be obtained through knowing the population demographics, resources and assets of that community Together, these features make up a community profile that forms the basis for planning to address the burden of disease and inequity in health outcomes and accessibility to services in rural and remote areas This chapter provides details of methods for building a community profile in which rural nurses and midwives work
37 citations
TL;DR: This program will equip those seeking endorsement as a NP to effectively work in rural contexts and increase the numbers of rural NPs will improve rural populations access to healthcare and potentially improve health outcomes.
Abstract: Background: Local health services expressed interest in supporting a nurse practitioner (NP) program specifically designed for rural practice environments. Aim: To develop and deliver a generalist NP program that prepares candidates for practice in rural contexts. Methods: The Master of Clinical Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) program was designed with an understanding of the burden of disease impacting on rural Australians, application of the national health priorities, the Australian Government's refocus on preventative health care and rural health workforce shortages. Results: This program offers nurses who work in rural and remote settings an opportunity to advance their careers. Increasing the numbers of rural NPs will improve rural populations access to healthcare and potentially improve health outcomes. Conclusion: This program will equip those seeking endorsement as a NP to effectively work in rural contexts.
27 citations
TL;DR: Findings suggest that preparation–practice gaps are evident in nursing curricula as the broad priorities identified were poorly reflected in undergraduate pre-registration programs.
Abstract: The relevance of pre-registration programs of nursing education to current and emerging trends in healthcare and society could have a significant future impact on the nursing profession. In this article, we use a PESTEL (politics, economics, society, technology, environment, and law) framework to identify significant current and future priorities in Australian healthcare. Following the PESTEL analysis, we conduct a review of the curriculum content of current Australian undergraduate pre-registration nursing curricula. The data were analyzed to determine how nursing curricula were aligned with the priorities identified in the PESTEL analysis. Findings suggest that preparation–practice gaps are evident in nursing curricula as the broad priorities identified were poorly reflected in undergraduate pre-registration programs. The study recommended (a) the establishment of a nationally consistent mechanism to identify current and emerging trends in healthcare and higher education, and (b) an evidence-based framework that enhances forward planning in the design of undergraduate pre-registration nursing curricula.
26 citations
TL;DR: It is recommended that policy makers and nurse leaders in the continuing professional development unit of health service facilities plan CPE activities to meet registered nurses' needs and not simply organizational requirements.
Abstract: Nurses need to participate in CPE to update their knowledge and increase their competencies. This research was carried out to explore their current practice and the future general needs for CPE. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved registered nurses from government hospitals and health clinics from Peninsular Malaysia. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit 1000 nurses from four states of Malaysia. Self-explanatory questionnaires were used to collect the data, which were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Seven hundred and ninety-two nurses participated in this survey. Only 80% (562) of the nurses had engaged in CPE activities during the past 12 months. All attendance for the various activities was below 50%. Workshops were the most popular CPE activity (345, 43.6%) and tertiary education was the most unpopular activity (10, 1.3%). The respondents did perceive the importance of future CPE activities for career development. Mandatory continuing professional education (MCPE) is a key measure to ensure that nurses upgrade their knowledge and skills; however, it is recommended that policy makers and nurse leaders in the continuing professional development unit of health service facilities plan CPE activities to meet registered nurses' (RNs) needs and not simply organizational requirements.
21 citations
TL;DR: It is timely for governments, including in Indonesia, to evaluate health workforce needs in the community and appropriate educational qualifications for delivering optimal health services for older people.
Abstract: Introduction: Ageing and problems concerning the aged are an increasing and concerning reality in developing and underdeveloped countries such as Indonesia. Improving service quality is important to promote and maintain wellness of older persons, especially in rural areas.
Aim: To explore programs and services offered to the elderly in a rural area of Indonesia to support them in promoting and maintaining their wellness. To describe roles and practices of health professionals and teams responsible for delivering services to older people.
Methods: Action research was used with mixed method data collection (interview and survey).
Results: Results demonstrated that activities related to the elderly health programs were limited due to budget and facilities. Practices of health staff for elderly in the community focused on intervention tasks, rather than prevention.
Limitation: Lack of available information on the range of programs and services implemented in Indonesia for the elderly in community settings was a limitation of this study.
Conclusion: Programs and services for older people have been implemented in Indonesia. However, these do not yet meet their needs, especially in rural areas. There is a need for greater focus on health promotion and illness prevention.
Implication for Nursing and Health Policy: Findings contribute to development of international knowledge in community health nursing, as these issues may not be only relevant to Indonesia. It is timely for governments, including in Indonesia, to evaluate health workforce needs in the community and appropriate educational qualifications for delivering optimal health services for older people.
18 citations
TL;DR: The midwives in this study found that establishing partnerships was essential to their work, and revealed that to support women and families who use illicit drugs in their community, partnerships must be based on deep respect and trust.
15 citations
TL;DR: Results across years and sectors of nursing consistently showed dissatisfaction in many aspects of employment, particularly by nurses working in aged care; however, views on staffing numbers, skill mix, workload, work stress, pay and staff morale all showed significant improvements over the decade.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to inform policy for reform in nursing. A survey mailed to members of the Queensland Nurses' Union four times between 2001 and 2010 elicited views on their employment and working conditions, professional development and career opportunities. Results across years and sectors of nursing consistently showed dissatisfaction in many aspects of employment, particularly by nurses working in aged care. However, views on staffing numbers, skill mix, workload, work stress, pay and staff morale all showed significant improvements over the decade. For example in 2001, 48.8% of nurses believed that their pay was poor, whereas in 2010, this had reduced to 35.2%. Furthermore, there was a significant rise throughout the decade in the opinion of the value of nursing as a good career. In light of the need to address nurse workforce shortages, the trends are encouraging; however, more improvements are required in order to support recruitment and retention.
9 citations
Book•
22 Aug 2014TL;DR: Rural Nursing: the Australian Context as discussed by the authors provides readers with an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to practise in rural locations and communities, including pregnancy, parenting, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, ageing and mental health.
Abstract: The Australian rural environment is unique, diverse and challenging for nurses who are the most significant providers of health care in this context. Rural Nursing: the Australian Context provides readers with an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to practise in rural locations and communities. This book includes chapters on pregnancy, parenting, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, ageing and mental health. It examines rurality, population and health demographics, and the different practice opportunities available in rural settings. The authors outline the importance of having well-established professional networks and encourage readers to develop practice skills in response to a particular community. Each chapter features a vignette, reflective questions and a list of websites for further reading. Written by a team of academics and practising rural nurses, Rural Nursing will equip nursing students with the confidence to provide high-quality health care in a range of practice settings.
3 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Nursing students on graduation must be competent and confident novice clinicians and experienced users of information and communication technologies.
Abstract: Nursing students on graduation must be competent and confident novice clinicians and experienced users of information and communication technologies. Further, it is expected that they are able to access, interpret and translate best available evidence when making practice decisions.
3 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the concept of learning communities as defined in the literature and present strategies to address threats to the ongoing viability and usefulness of a learning community to support research training.
Abstract: [Extract] This paper examines the concept of learning communities as defined in the literature. An existing case study is described, and the issues that facilitated and constrained the development of this learning community are considered and discussed. Strategies to address threats to the ongoing viability and usefulness of a learning community to support research training are offered. The influence of leadership styles and their interaction with the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of learning communities is used to support the argument.
Book Chapter•
01 Sep 2014
TL;DR: A chapter of this book considers the place of research in rural nursing and the approaches adopted to ask and answer questions of practice.
Abstract: [Extract] It is fitting that a chapter of this book considers the place of research in rural nursing. Research in health disciplines potentiates quality in healthcare delivery and can introduce new and effective evidence-based practices, consider the success and usefulness of health policies, or describe and comment on clients' or patients' experiences of particular phenomena. Initiating research may at times seem an overwhelming venture, and we hope this chapter will provide insights on how to start. The authors have used a research study the undertook in 2007 with three other colleagues on overseas trained nurses' experiences in rural settings as an exemplar to illustrate the approaches adopted to ask and answer questions of practice (Francis, Chapman, Doolan, Sellick & Barnett, 2008).
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Wellarticulated governance structures and processes, reflecting the expectations of the three partnering organisations, have been key strategies in the formation of the new clinical entity.
Abstract: Cooma Hospital and Health Service, Charles Sturt University and the University of Wollongong have joined forces to establish a regional clinical school to advance nursing and midwifery clinical research and education. Wellarticulated governance structures and processes, reflecting the expectations of the three partnering organisations, have been key strategies in the formation of the new clinical entity.