American Journal of Nursing Science 

About: American Journal of Nursing Science is an academic journal published by Science Publishing Group. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Health care & Nurse education. It has an ISSN identifier of 2328-5753. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 400 publications have been published receiving 1862 citations. The journal is also known as: AJNS.

Nurses Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Familiarity Regarding Disaster and Emergency Preparedness – Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The number of reported natural and human-made disasters continues to rise worldwide. Nurses comprise the highest percent of health and medical workforce. Nurses must understand the national disaster management cycle. The present study was aimed to examine nurses' knowledge, attitudes, practices and familiarity regarding disaster and emergency preparedness-Saudi Arabia. Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using five tools to obtain data from 252 two registered batches of bridging nurses students. Five tools were demonstrated to collect data about demographic data, questionnaire for knowledge, attitude and practice to measure disaster preparedness and emergency preparedness information questionnaire to measure nurses' familiarity. The study findings revealed that the mean age score was 26.36±1.82 and for the knowledge level was 21.2 ± 6.0. A highly significant difference was found for attitude and practice regarding disaster preparedness as well familiarity concerned emergency preparedness P≤.000. Based on the present study results; lacking of knowledge and practices with acceptable level of attitude regarding disaster preparedness and neutral familiarity with emergency preparedness were concluded. Thus an integration of clearly titled theory and practice teaching courses about disaster and emergency preparedness into nursing curricula are crucial needed and provided in respect to their learning/training preferences. Further, follow up research are necessary for maximizing nursing education and nursing quality in these critical areas applied to healthcare and community setting.

E-learning During COVID-19 Pandemic: Obstacles Faced Nursing Students and Its Effect on Their Attitudes While Applying It

Abstract: Background: E-learning is the use of the internet and its related devices for educational purposes without geographical restrictions, especially after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to a disruption of education in the classrooms in Egypt and around the world. Teaching and learning via the internet is a novel experience for most teachers and students. Aim: to investigate the effect of obstacles faced nursing students on their attitudes towards e-learning while applying it during COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A descriptive correlational research design. Setting: The study was conducted at Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt. Subjects: A stratified random sample technique was employed for the selection of 30% from the students in each of the four academic years enrolled in Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University during the academic year 2019/2020. Tools: Interviewing questionnaire, attitude towards e-learning scale, and obstacles of e-learning questionnaires. Results: The results revealed that overall, 61.6% of students had negative attitudes towards e-learning. There was the highest level of total obstacles present among academic students in the first year were (67.6%) and the lowest level of total obstacles present among academic students in the fourth year was (55.7%) that faced nursing students during using e-learning. the most common dimensions of obstacles to e-learning were infrastructure and technology, technical and management support, and instructors' characteristics (87.1%, 85.2%, and 82.9%, respectively). Conclusions: There was a high statistically significant negative correlation between obstacles facing nursing students, and their attitudes toward e-learning. Recommendations: The Board Directors of the Faculty of Nursing must take the necessary measures to improve electronic learning and teaching during the closure. Also, a systematic strategy should be followed to implement e-learning since it is a new experience for Menoufia University.

Holistic Nursing Care: Theories and Perspectives

Abstract: Introduction: Holistic medicine and holistic nursing aim at the improvement of healing of the individual as a bio-psycho-social unity, from birth until death. Aim: To search for current data on the value and applications of holistic nursing, placing emphasis on the field of psychiatry. Literature review: International data bases and internet were searched (including Pubmed/Medline). Emphasis was placed on theoretical background, on alternative therapies and on the practical applications of holistic care. Conclusion: Holistic approach takes into account the biological, social and spiritual needs of the patient. A considerable number of alternative therapies can contribute to the management of psychiatric and other diseases.

Stress: Concepts, Theoretical Models and Nursing Interventions

Abstract: Stress is a fact of everyday life and it can be defined either as a reaction or as a stimulus. Over the years and with the progress of science many factors have been identified as sources of stress, such as Biological, Chemicals, Microbial, Psychological, Developmental, Socio-cultural and Environmental. Propose of this study is to present the basic concepts and the main theoretical models of stress, its effects on the individual, the coping strategies and the nursing methods of addressing it. The main theoretical approaches for stress are interpreting it differently, either as a stimulus, as a response or as a transaction. Nurses, after the recognition of patients’ needs and reactions, should choose those interventions that will be the most effective for each particular patient. Most important interventions for alleviating stress are: anxiety reduction, anger management, relaxation and sleep, proper diet, physical exercise, relaxation techniques and effective time management.

The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage Using Lavender Oil on the Level of Pain and Anxiety During Labour Among Primigravida Women

Abstract: Background: Labour pain is considered as one of the most intense forms of pain. Psychological challenge such as anxiety can contribute towards women’s perception of pain and may also affect their labor and birth experience. There are modern many non-invasive methods to relieve pain during childbirth. Among these methods is aromatherapy which is the most popular complementary therapy during child birth. Therefore this study aimed to assess the effect of aromatherapy massage using lavender oil on the level of pain and anxiety during labor among primigravida women. Setting: the study was conducted in the labour department at El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. A purposive sample of 60 pregnant women participated in the study. There were randomly assigned to two groups: The first group (n= 30) received aromatherapy back massage with 2 drops of lavender oil dissolved in 50cc almond oil and the second group (n = 30) received only back massage. Four tools were used to collect the necessary data: An Interviewing Assessment Sheet, Partograph, Visual analogue pain intensity scale (VAS) and Spielberger state-trait anxiety questionnaire. Results of the current study illustrated that the mean pain score before intervention was (7.0) for aromatherapy group and (8.1) for control group. Then after intervention, the mean pain score decreased to 6.4 during active phase for aromatherapy group compared to 8.9 for control group. Also, the mean pain score decreased to 7.7 during transitional phase for aromatherapy group compared to 9.6 for control group. There is a statistical significant difference between the two groups after the intervention. Moreover, the mean anxiety score before intervention was (55.47 and 50.40) respectively among the aromatherapy and control group. However, it decreased during the active and transitional phase to (38.40, 36.63) respectively among aromatherapy group compared to (45.13, 44.07) respectively among control group. The difference was statistically significant. The present study concluded that aromatherapy massage with lavender oil can reduce pain and anxiety during labour. Also, it is an effective way to decrease labor duration. It was recommended that lavender aromatherapy massage can be offered to women in labour for pain relief.