The focus of this study was on the regulation and management of emotions among professional nurses in a critical care unit in a private hospital in Gauteng. The aim of this project is to explore and describe the level of resilience of professional nurses, in this case specifically, critical care nurses. The background portrays a journey from emotions and emotional experiences as main focus. The main focus was transformed into sequential emotion regulation and management as precursors to emotional intelligence. An initial literature investigation into emotional intelligence among professional nurses in general indicated that: Much international and national research has been conducted on emotional intelligence among nurses; emotional intelligence is an essential aspect of nursing, as an emotion-laden profession; and emotional intelligence implies positive benefits for nurses. The purpose of this study was to enhance professional nurses‟ regulation and management of their emotions in a critical care unit in a private hospital in Gauteng in order to enhance the level of emotional intelligence. Methodology: A qualitative, phenomenological research design was most suitable for this research that was also explorative, descriptive and contextual and within a case study strategy, combined with the use of interviews. C purposive sampling (Botma, et al., 2010:126) was used to select participants. ASE records included incident reports; organisational records of employee satisfaction, as well as documents that portrayed the care rendered in the unit. Participants were informed about the research by means of a PowerPoint presentation. The sample size was established once the research by saturation of data (Botma et al., 2010:200). Participants were informed about the research by means of a slideshow. Conclusion The results re-confirmed the existence of emotional labour in the critical care unit, as well as the different emotions experienced in the critical care unit. Results reflect the strain critical care nurses need to cope with, and the different ways they use to regulate these emotions and emotional experiences. / Thesis (MCur)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The current shortage of nurses is a concern shared by the healthcare industry globally. Whilst the reasons for these shortages are varied and complex, a key factor among them seem to involve an unhealthy work environment. The demanding nature of the critical care environment presents a challenge to many nursing professionals and it carries the risk of a high turn over rate due to the stress and intensity of the critical care environment. The critical care nurse is responsible for caring for the most ill patients in hospitals and the acute shortage of critical care nurses contributes to the intensity and pressures of this environment. Little evidence exists of research conducted to explore and describe the practice environment of the critical care nurse in South Africa. The main aim of this research study was to construct a theory for positive practice environments in critical care units in South Africa, grounded in the views and perceptions of critical care nurses working in the private hospital context. In recognition of the fact that a positive practice environment is considered to be the foundation for the successful recruitment and retention of nurses, it was clear that issues related to staff shortages will not be resolved unless the unhealthy work environment of nurses is adequately addressed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A constructivist grounded theory design was selected to address the inquiry at hand. The study was divided into two phases and pragmatic plurality allowed the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to explore, describe and contextualise the data in order to achieve the overall aim of the study. In phase one, a checklist developed by the researcher was used to describe the demographic profile of the critical care units (n=31) that participated in the study. The perceptions of critical care nurses (n=298) regarding their current practice environment was explored and decribed by using a valid and reliable instrument, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). In phase two, the elements of a positive practice environment were explored and described by means of intensive interviews with critical care nurses (n=6) working in the critical care environment. Concepts related to the phenomenon under investigation were identified by means of an inductive analysis of the data through a coding process and memo-writing. One core conceptual category and six related categories emerged out of the data. In the final phase of the theoretical sampling of the literature, a set of conclusions relevant to the phenomenon under study was constructed. The conclusions deduced from the empirical findings in both phases of the research process were integrated with those derived from the literature review to provide the foundation from which the theory was constructed. FINDINGS: The findings from the first phase of the research process provided information about the context in which the participants operate and assisted in discovering concepts considered relevant to the phenomenon under investigation. A grounded theory depicting the core conceptual category of "being in controi" and its relation to the other six categories was constructed from the data in order to explain a positive practice environment for critical care units in the private healthcare sector in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Research recognises the clear links between nurses’ experience of professional burnout and the quality of the work environment. To that end it is extremely important for nurse managers to create an organisational climate that promotes the emotional stability of nurses. This could help to improve global patient safety by reducing the frequency of adverse events. Many of the factors commonly associated with burnout, also causes unsafe patient care, and poor quality of care. Effectively managing patient safety must be a priority in units where nurses face high pressure. Staff in critical care units (CCUs) spends a tremendous amount of time with people, including the patient, family members, physicians, and other members of the multidisciplinary team that might lead to emotional and physical exhaustion and burnout. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nurse burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A quantitative correlational design was selected to address the research question at hand. A previously developed checklist was used to describe the demographic characteristics of the critical care units that participated in the study (n=31). A total of 298 critical care nurses participated in the study (n=298). Burnout among registered nurses working in these units was explored by means of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale (MBI). The registered nurses’ perceptions of the safety and quality of patient care in their units were explored by means of the RN4CAST questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. FINDINGS: The mean scores for emotional exhaustion measured 2.69, for depersonalisation 1.55 and for personal accomplishment 4.43. From the mean scores of each of the sub–scales of the MBI it was evident that registered nurses working in private critical care units in Gauteng province did not experience burnout. The relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care was investigated by means of a Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results indicated that emotional exhaustion demonstrated a negative relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = –0.275; p=0.00), and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.245; p=0.00). Depersonalisation demostrated a negative relationship with the quality of care in the nursing unit (r = –0.249; p=0.00 and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.205; p=0.00). Personal accomplishment demonstrated a weak positive relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = 0.197; p=0.003) and a moderate positive relationship with patient safety in the unit (r = 0.204; p=0.00). The results demonstrated a relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The current shortage of nurses is a concern shared by the healthcare industry globally. Whilst the reasons for these shortages are varied and complex, a key factor among them seem to involve an unhealthy work environment. The demanding nature of the critical care environment presents a challenge to many nursing professionals and it carries the risk of a high turn over rate due to the stress and intensity of the critical care environment. The critical care nurse is responsible for caring for the most ill patients in hospitals and the acute shortage of critical care nurses contributes to the intensity and pressures of this environment. Little evidence exists of research conducted to explore and describe the practice environment of the critical care nurse in South Africa. The main aim of this research study was to construct a theory for positive practice environments in critical care units in South Africa, grounded in the views and perceptions of critical care nurses working in the private hospital context. In recognition of the fact that a positive practice environment is considered to be the foundation for the successful recruitment and retention of nurses, it was clear that issues related to staff shortages will not be resolved unless the unhealthy work environment of nurses is adequately addressed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A constructivist grounded theory design was selected to address the inquiry at hand. The study was divided into two phases and pragmatic plurality allowed the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to explore, describe and contextualise the data in order to achieve the overall aim of the study. In phase one, a checklist developed by the researcher was used to describe the demographic profile of the critical care units (n=31) that participated in the study. The perceptions of critical care nurses (n=298) regarding their current practice environment was explored and decribed by using a valid and reliable instrument, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). In phase two, the elements of a positive practice environment were explored and described by means of intensive interviews with critical care nurses (n=6) working in the critical care environment. Concepts related to the phenomenon under investigation were identified by means of an inductive analysis of the data through a coding process and memo-writing. One core conceptual category and six related categories emerged out of the data. In the final phase of the theoretical sampling of the literature, a set of conclusions relevant to the phenomenon under study was constructed. The conclusions deduced from the empirical findings in both phases of the research process were integrated with those derived from the literature review to provide the foundation from which the theory was constructed. FINDINGS: The findings from the first phase of the research process provided information about the context in which the participants operate and assisted in discovering concepts considered relevant to the phenomenon under investigation. A grounded theory depicting the core conceptual category of "being in controi" and its relation to the other six categories was constructed from the data in order to explain a positive practice environment for critical care units in the private healthcare sector in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Research recognises the clear links between nurses’ experience of professional burnout and the quality of the work environment. To that end it is extremely important for nurse managers to create an organisational climate that promotes the emotional stability of nurses. This could help to improve global patient safety by reducing the frequency of adverse events. Many of the factors commonly associated with burnout, also causes unsafe patient care, and poor quality of care. Effectively managing patient safety must be a priority in units where nurses face high pressure. Staff in critical care units (CCUs) spends a tremendous amount of time with people, including the patient, family members, physicians, and other members of the multidisciplinary team that might lead to emotional and physical exhaustion and burnout. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nurse burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A quantitative correlational design was selected to address the research question at hand. A previously developed checklist was used to describe the demographic characteristics of the critical care units that participated in the study (n=31). A total of 298 critical care nurses participated in the study (n=298). Burnout among registered nurses working in these units was explored by means of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale (MBI). The registered nurses’ perceptions of the safety and quality of patient care in their units were explored by means of the RN4CAST questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. FINDINGS: The mean scores for emotional exhaustion measured 2.69, for depersonalisation 1.55 and for personal accomplishment 4.43. From the mean scores of each of the sub–scales of the MBI it was evident that registered nurses working in private critical care units in Gauteng province did not experience burnout. The relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care was investigated by means of a Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results indicated that emotional exhaustion demonstrated a negative relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = –0.275; p=0.00), and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.245; p=0.00). Depersonalisation demostrated a negative relationship with the quality of care in the nursing unit (r = –0.249; p=0.00 and patient safety in the unit (r = –0.205; p=0.00). Personal accomplishment demonstrated a weak positive relationship with the quality of nursing care in the unit (r = 0.197; p=0.003) and a moderate positive relationship with patient safety in the unit (r = 0.204; p=0.00). The results demonstrated a relationship between burnout and the safety and quality of patient care in private critical care units in Gauteng. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Anhöriga är en viktig del i vårdandet av en patient, sjukvårdspersonalen behöver därför ha kunskap om hur anhöriga vill bli bemötta. Syftet med litteraturstudien var att beskriva hur anhöriga vill bli bemötta i en akut vårdsituation på ett sjukhus. Studien gjordes utifrån en litteraturstudie där tio vetenskapliga artiklar granskades. Resultatet påvisade att anhöriga beskrev att de ville bli bemötta med respekt och värdighet i en akut vårdsituation genom att patienten vårdades med respekt och värdighet. Tillmötesgåendet från sjukvårdspersonalen relaterat till den anhöriges behov av att få vara nära patienten var betydande för den anhörige. Anhöriga satte stor vikt i att bli bemött från sjukvårdspersonalen med ärlig information som var begriplig, konsekvent och regelbunden. Anhöriga betonar att bemötande i form av stöd och trygghet till sig själva inte var av stor vikt, då anhöriga kände mer stöd och trygghet när patienten prioriterades. Det finns knapphändig forskning om vilka regler och riktlinjer sjukvårdspersonalen ska tillämpa vid bemötandet av anhöriga i akuta vårdsituationer. Det skulle behövas mer utbildning i sjuksköterskans grundutbildning om hur anhöriga generellt vill bli bemötta i vården. / Knowledge about how families want to be replied is essential for the health care team, because the family is an important part of nursing a patient. The aim of this study was to describe how families want to be replied in an acute care situation in hospital. The litterateur review was based on ten scientific articles. The result reveals that the family described that they wanted to be replied with respect and dignity in an acute care situation by the patient being treated with respect and dignity. Accommodating from the healthcare team related to the family’s needs to be close to the patient was significant for the family. The family wanted to be replied with honest information that was consistent, regular and understanding. The family emphasizes that reply in form of support and comfort to themselves was not of great importance, because the family felt more support and comfort when the patient was priority. There is scant research about which rules and guidelines the healthcare team can apply in the reply of the family. The nursing program would need more education in about how families generally want to be replied in the health care.

Background Nurses complete tasks during patient care to promote the recovery, or to maintain the health, of patients. These tasks can be routine or non-routine to the nurse. Non-routine tasks are characterized by unfamiliarity, requiring nurses to seek additional information from a variety of sources to effectively complete the tasks. Nurses’ perception of their problem-solving skills, as characterized by the attributes of personal control, problem-solving confidence, and avoidance-approach style, influences how information is sought. Objectives/Research Questions Guided by the information-seeking behaviour model, this study was designed to: (1) examine how the non-routineness of the task affects nurses’ information-seeking behaviour and the use of accumulated knowledge; and, (2) explore nurses’ perception of their problem-solving abilities. Methods An exploratory cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample of critical care nurses who worked in a hospital setting were selected from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) research participant database. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the proposed relationships. Results Avoidance-approach style and, problem-solving confidence did not have a significant relationship with nurses’ information-seeking behaviour. None of the variables explained use of accumulated knowledge (F = 0.902, p > 0.05). Previous training (p = 0.008), Non-routineness of the task (p = 0.018), and Personal control (p = 0.040) had a positive relationship with information-seeking behaviour (Adjusted R2 = 0.136). Implications The study results provide evidence that problem-solving ability, and in particular the attribute of personal control, influences nurses’ information-seeking behaviour during the completion of nursing tasks. They reveal how information is sought from resources, and what specific information resources are necessary to promote access to, and use of, evidence-based information. The results also help direct efforts towards training nurses in issues related to problem-solving and information-seeking by targeting the development of personal control and retrieving evidence-based information.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1992. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [157]-166).

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1957.