The precursors's adaptation to pregnancy, prenatal attachment and maternal self-confidence

We investigated the precursors for prenatal attachment (PA), adaptation to pregnancy and maternal self-confidence, and the relationship of these variables with each other. This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2020. Data were obtained using an online survey from social media groups. The mean Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire scores of women had a negative and moderate correlation with mean Pharis Self-Confidence Scale (r=-0.287, p=.000) and negative and weak correlation with mean Prenatal Attachment Inventory scores (r=-0.317, p=.000). Women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques had a higher level of readiness to give birth (17.62 ± 5.22) than women who conceived spontaneously (29.57 ± 6.15) (β=-0.285, t=-3.547, p=.002). We concluded that when women's adaptation to pregnancy increased in the prenatal period, their PA level and self-confidence towards baby care increased. The results of this study may guide healthcare professionals in terms of improving care for women who have attachment and adaptation problems during pregnancy. Women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques can be reassured that infertility does not have a negative impact on their readiness for birth. Healthcare professionals could ensure adaptation in women who have problems with adaptation during pregnancy by initiating interventions that support PA and increase the maternal self-confidence levels of women.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? There were few studies examining the relationship between women's conception style with prenatal attachment (PA), adaptation to pregnancy, and maternal self-efficacy.What do the results of this study add? In this study, it was determined that women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques have higher levels of being ready to give birth than women who conceived spontaneously without medical assistance. Additionally, it was found that as women evaluate themselves positively in the prenatal period, their PA and maternal self-confidence level regarding baby care increased.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Since this study examines the precursors of maternal self-confidence, PA and adaptation to pregnancy in Turkish pregnant women, it was shown that studies in different cultures are needed in terms of generalisability of the results. In addition, there is a need to identify risky women who have low self-confidence in baby care during pregnancy and have attachment and adjustment problems, and to culture-specific intervention programs need to be developed and tested.

The relationship between nursing students' professional attitudes and caring behaviors: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the relationship between nursing students' professional attitudes and caring behaviors.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The research is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study. The study was conducted with 202 nursing students. The participation rate was 95%.

FINDINGS

The total Instrument of Professional Attitude for Student Nurses mean score was 106.708 ± 20.24 and the Caring Behaviors Inventory-24 mean score of the nursing students was 5.23 ± 0.88. A positive weak correlation was found between total Instrument of Professional Attitude for Student Nurses scores and sub-dimension scores, and Caring Behaviors Inventory-24 total scores of nursing students (p < .05).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The present study has demonstrated that the professional attitudes of students positively affect caring behaviors.

Change management experiences of nursing students in clinical practice: A phenomenological study

BACKGROUND

In healthcare services, nurses' roles and practices make them an integral component of the change process. Therefore, nurses should prepare for their change-creating roles during their education. However, little research regarding change management and the change creation process of nursing students is found in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the needs of undergraduate nursing students when initiating change in practice and to reveal their experiences during the planning and implementation process of change projects.

DESIGN

A descriptive, qualitative design using focus group was conducted.

PARTICIPANTS

The study includes third-year undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a nursing school in Turkey and were enrolled in the Management in Nursing and Clinical Practices courses.

METHODS

Six focus group were conducted with a total of 28 nursing students. Data were collected over one semester via a semi-structured form. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Regarding the change management experiences of the participants, five main themes ("changing world, changing necessities," "view from the perspective of change," "discovering resistance," "developing motivation against resistance," and "change in the perception of change"), and nine sub-themes were determined.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of their change management experiences, nursing students might better contribute to the quality of patient care, think more critically and have more autonomy. Therefore, change process management should be extensively included in nursing education and should be systematically monitored.

Mapping the evidence-based practice research field in nursing from 1995 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based nursing and its practices are increasing rapidly in the health and nursing literature. A holistic image of evidence-based nursing research is needed to address evidence-based studies and available information on nursing.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate evidence-based nursing-related research with bibliometric analysis in order to provide a structured macroscopic overview of its features and advances.

METHODS

A bibliometric analysis of 4,159 publications from 1995 to 2021 was performed to map the literature of evidence-based nursing studies and assess the structure of the scientific community. The studies' publication output and growth trend, authors and collaborations, publishing journals, terms, current trends, subject categories, global distribution and collaboration, and the authors' average number of citations were all assessed.

RESULTS

It was found that the number of evidence-based nursing publications increased until 2016, reaching the publication peak (n = 369), after which they began to decline. Most studies on the topic (n = 543) have been published in the journal Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. Evidence-based knowledge, dissemination, implementation, implementation barriers, and implementation and training curricula in particular fields have all evolved over time as the key concepts of research. The United States (6,218), Australia (1,247), and England (790) are the three nations with the highest number of publications. On the other hand, it is seen that the subject has yet to be discussed in a few developing or underdeveloped countries.

CONCLUSIONS

In the last 12 years, evidence-based nursing has been a comprehensive area of research. In comparison with the research areas in its field, it can be speculated that it has a more practical focus. It was determined that the authors' keywords primarily began with research implementation, practice development, and knowledge utilization over time, and then evolved to specific areas, educational areas, process applications, and important current topics such as Covid19.

The experience of becoming a mother following successful in vitro fertilization: A grounded theory

AIM

To develop a theory to explain women's experiences about becoming a mother following successful in vitro fertilization treatment.

DESIGN

This study is a qualitative study based on a constructivist grounded theory approach.

METHODS

Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide initially that was later to be changed to a flexible interview guide between June 2018 and 2019. Interviews were conducted with 18 women, who became pregnant and mothers following successful in vitro fertilization treatment. Data collection and analysis were performed in a cyclic manner using open, axial and selective coding. This study was reported based on consolidated criteria and was used to report qualitative research data.

FINDINGS

The core category, 'non-spontaneous path to motherhood', involved the following four categories: 'the treatment process is exhausting', 'leaving the infertility world', 'pregnancy under the shadow of fear' and 'getting stuck between fertile and infertile worlds' with 10 sub-categories.

CONCLUSION

This study provides valuable insight into experiences of these women about becoming a mother. Unlike the Becoming a Mother Theory, it can be said that the anticipation stage, the first stage in the Becoming a Mother Theory, begins at the moment of embryo transfer in these women. Furthermore, the personal stage, the final stage in the Becoming a Mother Theory, is not completed within the first year after birth, even women were found to conceal experiences of in vitro fertilization treatment from the social environment even after birth.

IMPACT

This study will provide potential support for obstetric healthcare professionals in better understanding women's experiences about becoming a mother following successful in vitro fertilization treatment.

The awareness levels of women for gynecologic cancer in Turkey: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the awareness levels of women for gynecologic cancers and the affecting factors.

METHODS

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 321 women. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS).

RESULTS

The women's mean score (± standard deviation) on the GCAS was 151.08 ± 3.84. It was determined that the awareness of gynecologic cancer in the women who had undergone gynecologic examination and cervical smear test was higher than in other women. It was also determined that the level of education and income level, the status of having gynecologic examination and operation, and the wanting to get information about gynecologic cancer were not found to affect awareness of gynecologic cancers. The gynecologic cancer awareness of the women increased with the increase in age. It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between the years of marriage, gravida, and the number of children, and the total GCAS score.

CONCLUSION

Although the gynecologic cancer awareness levels of the participants were high, they were not at the intended level. Education including early diagnosis, risk factors, and symptoms should be provided to women to increase their awareness of gynecologic cancer.

Effects of a nursing care program based on the theory of human caring on women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer: a pilot study from Turkey

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

This pilot study aimed to determine the effects of a nursing care program based on the Theory of Human Caring (THC) on chemotherapy symptoms, hope, and meaning in life in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer.

DESIGN/METHODS

This pilot study was conducted in a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial on 52 women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer in Turkey. In the present study, the experimental group was given a nursing care program based on the THC alongside routine nursing care for five sessions, while the control group received solely routine nursing care. Data were collected using the Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale, the Herth Hope Scale, and the Life Attitude Profile.

FINDINGS

There was a statistically significant decrease in the frequency, severity, and degree of discomfort of some chemotherapy symptoms in the experimental group. In addition, the mean scores of hope and meaning in life were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS

This study revealed that a nursing care program based on the Theory of Human Caring might be of benefit for decreasing the frequency, intensity, and discomfort level of some chemotherapy symptoms, and also for improving the level of hope and meaning in life in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer.

Experiences of gynecologic oncology nurses regarding caring behaviors: a hermeneutic phenomenological study

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore the caring behaviors experiences of gynecologic oncology nurses.

METHODS

This study was conducted with phenomenological hermeneutical approach. This study was carried out 14 nurses working on women with gynecologic cancer. Data were collected through individual interview method by using semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method.

RESULTS

Caring behaviors experiences of gynecologic oncology nurses were explained by the themes "missed caring behaviors", "transition from work-centered to care-centered approach", and "transition to caring-healing approach". The first theme, "missed caring behaviors" included two subthemes: "focusing on routines" and "superficial relationships". The second theme, "transition from routine to care-centered" included three subthemes: "barrier perception", "off the record" and "controlled attachment". The last theme, "transition to caring-healing" consisted of the subthemes "ideal care conscience", "presenting presence", "looking through her window", "healing with caring behaviors". The main theme was reached as "caring behaviors: the focus of nursing".

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that gynecologic oncology nurses need to adequately and efficiently improve on caring behaviors in an intense caring environment.

Developing compassion and emotional intelligence in nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

PURPOSE

This study examined the effect of the Caring Behavior in Nursing course on the compassion and emotional intelligence levels of nursing students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was carried out using pretest and posttest design. The research sample consisted of the intervention (n = 37) and the control (n = 36) group. Data were collected through "The Emotional Intelligence Evaluation Survey" and "The Compassion Scale."

FINDINGS

It was determined that the compassion levels of the students in the intervention group were statistically significantly higher than the compassion levels of the control group of students.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

It was found that the Caring Behavior in Nursing course was effective in developing compassion.

Experiences of women regarding vaginal examination during labor: A qualitative study

The authors' aim in this study was to examine the experiences of women regarding vaginal examination (VE) performed during labor. This qualitative study is based on a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach. Fourteen women within the first 24 hours of the postpartum period following vaginal birth were enrolled in the study. We created six themes under the categories of "past experiences" and "future expectations". It was revealed that women had many negative feelings during the VE such as pain, ache, embarrassment, and fear. We recommend that the health care providers should inform women about relaxation methods that will reduce pain and discomfort.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Turkish women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A descriptive study

The authors' aim in this study was to determine the vitamin D levels of Turkish women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study design was a descriptive cohort study of a total of 208 infertile women at an IVF center in Turkey. Our findings showed that 4.3% of the women had a replete vitamin D level, 23.6% of the women had insufficient vitamin D levels, and 72.1% of women had deficient vitamin D levels. Our findings suggest that much more effective vitamin D support programs should be implemented for women who are seeking to become pregnant.

European Union Project 'BestCARE': improving nursing care with best complementary therapy strategies

AIM

This paper introduces the study on the European Union Project on complementary therapies and discusses project outputs and results. The goal of the European Union Project was to improve the professional knowledge and skills of women's health and oncology nurses regarding CT.

BACKGROUND

The increasing and widespread use of complementary therapies in the women's health and oncology population requires nurses to be educated about their suitable and safe use. Many nurses do not have proper training in complementary therapies and therefore should not inform their patients about them.

METHODS

The 'Improving the Nursing Care with Best Complementary Therapy Strategies Based on European Union Standards' (BestCARE) project was a strategic partnership within Erasmus plus for vocational education and training. The BestCARE project was coordinated by the Akdeniz University Nursing Faculty and was carried out with six partners from Turkey and Europe.

RESULTS

Fifteen nurses from Turkey and Italy were trained in complementary therapies in England. In addition, training courses and seminars were held in Turkey and Italy for women's health and oncology nurses. The BestCARE programme consisted of 14 work packages. The BestCARE programme was implemented via websites, an e-learning training programme, training videos, reference and handbook, a curriculum proposal on complementary therapies and a simulation laboratory.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND/OR HEALTH POLICY

The BestCARE project allowed nurses to gain knowledge, experience and skills about complementary therapies and created a cultural awareness and sensitivity towards patients, caregivers and health professionals.

How did you choose a mode of birth? Experiences of nulliparous women from Turkey

BACKGROUND

One of the most important decisions that women have to make after becoming pregnant concerns their mode of birth, and these decisions are influenced by complex physiological, psychological and socio-cultural factors.

AIM

To obtain in-depth descriptions of nulliparous women's experiences during the decision-making process for their mode of birth and to reveal their beliefs, attitudes and values.

METHODS

This is a qualitative, phenomenological study that included 29 nulliparous women. Data were collected using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and analysed using the constant comparison method and guidelines developed by Collaizi.

FINDINGS

The women's experiences during their decision-making process for their mode of birth were placed into one of four categories, "getting confused", "no matter what happens", "others influencing women's decisions" and "make a decision one way or the other". Vaginal births were considered under the theme "natural but hard way" and caesarean sections under the theme "easy choice". The women indicated that they wanted to have vaginal births, but that they were not offered knowledge and support about modes of birth from health care professionals and, as a result, they asked their relatives for support.

CONCLUSION

It is important to obtain pregnant women's preferences for modes of birth so that knowledge, support and care can be provided and so that they can be involved in the decision-making process. Therefore, health care professionals should understand pregnant women's experiences during the decision-making process for their mode of birth.

Effect of lifestyle on quality of life of couples receiving infertility treatment

This study investigated the effect of lifestyle on the quality of life among couples undergoing infertility treatment. The research universe consisted of 200 couples undergoing infertility treatment in Akdeniz University's Center of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Techniques. The data collection tools the authors used were a personal information form requesting sociodemographic characteristics and history of infertility, the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale. This study revealed that the quality of life of the women in the study was lower than that of the men. The authors also found that the couples' quality of life was reduced by variables such as advanced age, low education level, unemployment status, lower income, long duration of infertility, high body mass index, history of andrological surgery, and previous experience of assisted reproduction techniques three or more times. Last, it was determined that the couples' quality of life improved as their healthy lifestyle behaviors increased. Demonstrating positive health behavior is likely to improve the quality of life of couples undergoing infertility treatment.