Background: Over one half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Nurses are on the frontlines of the health care work force and often encounter women with unintended pregnancies in the clinical setting. They may find themselves responsible for options counseling and helping these women to explore their options of pregnancy, adoption and abortion. Discussing these three options in a non-judgmental, well-informed manner allows the woman to consider all possibilities. Leading this type of conversation requires specific skills and knowledge as well as the ability to deliver this information in a therapeutic, nonbiased manner. Purpose: The intent of this study was to analyze data regarding the inclusion of options counseling and abortion education in undergraduate nursing programs in New England. Identification of gaps can provide opportunities for curriculum reform. Due to the enormous impact that nurses have with patients, institutions have a responsibility to provide their students with accurate, honest, factual, current knowledge about options counseling including abortion. Doing so is a public health issue with the incentive of not only providing women with optimal health care and better maternal-fetal outcomes, but also to reduce spending nationwide. This study can support efforts to accomplish these goals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was sent out via email to the faculty members of accredited undergraduate nursing programs throughout New England. It was active for approximately three months between June 2015 and September 2015 with intermittent reminders sent during that time frame. The survey inquired about personal attitudes, inclusion/exclusion of options counseling and abortion education as well as methods used to include this material in the curricula. Results: All states in New England were included in this study. Fifty percent of responding institutions reported that they include options counseling and abortion education in the curricula, while the remaining 50% reportedly do not. When asked to identify reasons that this content is not included in the current curricula, 80% of respondents indicated that it is not a curriculum priority due to time constraints. The main identified methods that support inclusion of options counseling and abortion in the curricula include classroom sessions focused on technical/evidence-based instruction, classroom sessions focused on ethical issues and assigned readings. Conclusions: Options counseling and abortion education is not adequately covered in undergraduate nursing curricula across New England. This data set is remarkably similar to a study done in 1997, showing that in the course of nearly 20 years, there has been little advance in the inclusion of options counseling and abortion education. In many instances, this material is given equal or more attention in ethical discussions rather than focusing on technical evidence-based instruction. Personal attitudes about abortion have been correlated with the inclusions of options counseling and abortion education and likely affect the content that is incorporated in the curricula.

O desenvolvimento desta pesquisa focalizou o processo de trabalho na formação profissional do enfermeiro, visualizada pelos professores do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem de uma Universidade Pública Federal do Município de São Paulo. O estudo teve como objetivos: identificar no Projeto Pedagógico do Curso (PPC) de Graduação em Enfermagem da UNIFESP os processos de trabalho na formação do graduando de enfermagem; verificar quais processos de trabalho do enfermeiro são focados com maior ênfase na formação profissional na perspectiva dos professores e subsidiar na elaboração do Projeto Pedagógico do Curso por meio de propostas apresentadas pelos professores, sujeitos da pesquisa. Para isso, optou-se pela metodologia de pesquisa-ação por conceber uma ampla e explícita interação entre o pesquisador e as pessoas envolvidas na situação investigada, cujo objetivo foi resolver ou esclarecer os problemas da situação observada, o que pressupõe um aumento do conhecimento e do \"nível de consciência\" das pessoas ligadas à situação, bem como o aumento do conhecimento do próprio pesquisador. Na fase diagnóstica analisou-se o PPC, que explorou e identificou por meio dos objetivos gerais do Curso, das séries e das Disciplinas, os processos de trabalho do enfermeiro que foram estudados na fase de ação, cuja técnica de coleta de dados utilizou o Grupo Focal (GF), que contou com a participação de 15 professores em cinco encontros. O observador foi uma psicóloga organizacional de um hospital de ensino. Os resultados mostraram que os objetivos gerais do PPC contemplaram os processos de trabalho cuidar, administrar, educar e pesquisar. O processo de trabalho cuidar foi o mais enfatizado tanto nos objetivos gerais como nos objetivos das séries e o processo de trabalho administrar foi mais relevante nas duas últimas séries. O processo de trabalho educar e pesquisar não foram evidenciados. O GF apontou que a essência do processo de trabalho na formação do enfermeiro foi o cuidar, nas competências do aprender a conhecer e a fazer na dimensão técnico-científica. Os processos de trabalho administrar e educar e pesquisar não foram relevantes para os sujeitos e foram considerados meios para o processo de trabalho do enfermeiro cuidar. O pesquisar foi um pouco mais discutido no GF e evidenciou a necessidade do graduando consumir pesquisa durante a formação para desenvolver a crítica e a reflexão sobre a prática profissional. E ainda destacaram alguns nós no processo ensino-aprendizagem, que na maioria das vezes, consideraram que o trabalho dos professores e das Disciplinas pouco integrado e leva os graduandos a terem uma visão fragmentada do processo de trabalho, especialmente o cuidar, na formação do enfermeiro. Os sujeitos do GF propuseram criar espaços de discussões a respeito da formação do enfermeiro na vertente do processo de trabalho e as competências da aprendizagem para subsidiar a reconstrução do PPC mais integrada e assegurar a qualificação do ensino aos graduandos / This study focused on the relationship between undergraduate nursing education and nurses\' work processes, as viewed by the faculty of an undergraduate nursing program of a Federal public university of the district of São Paulo. The objectives of the study were: 1) to identify the nurses\' work processes listed in the undergraduate pedagogical educational planning (Projeto Pedagogico do Curso [PPC]) of the São Paulo Federal University (Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP); and, 2) to determine which of the nurses\' work processes listed in the PPC were emphasized by faculty and subsidized the development of the PPC of the UNIFESP. To that end, action-research methodology guided the design and conduct of this study. This methodology was chosen because it allows explicit interactions between the researcher and the people involved in a specific situation. It is useful to clarify or solve identified issues, which in turn may lead to an increase in knowledge and awareness levels of those people involved in the situation as well lead to increase in knowledge among researchers. In the diagnosis phase, the PPC was analyzed by exploring its general objectives, objectives of each program level, and objectives of specific disciplines, to determine the presence of nurses\' work processes identified during the study\'s action phase. The action phase used a focus group approach to collect data from 15 faculty members during 5 meetings. An organizational psychologist from a teaching hospital moderated all focus group meetings. The results of the analysis of the diagnosis phase suggested that the general objectives listed in the PPC address nurse\'s work processes regarding nursing care, nursing management, nursing education, and nursing research. Nursing care was the most emphasized nurses\' work process on the general objectives and on the objectives of each program level and specific disciplines. Nursing management was most relevant on the objectives of the program levels in last two years of the undergraduate nursing program. There was no evidence that nursing education and research were relevant or emphasized on the objectives of each program levels or specific discipline of the undergraduate nursing program. The findings from the focus group discussions pointed out that nursing care was the most fundamental nurses\' work process that guides undergraduate nursing education. Regarding the technical and scientific domains, the emphasis is placed on the students\' competencies to learn, to gain knowledge, and to acquire skills to provide nursing care. The nurses\' work process regarding management, education, and research were not considered to relevant to undergraduate nursing education by faculty members. These processes are viewed as resources nurses use to provide nursing care. The nurses\' work process regarding research was further discussed during the focus groups; and, there was a consensus that there is a need of undergraduate nursing students to consume research findings to enhance their critical thinking regarding nursing practice. In addition, issues emerged related to the teaching-learning process; there is little integration among the various nursing disciplines, which lead students to perceive a fragmented undergraduate nursing education, especially concerning their preparation to provide nursing care. Faculty members, who were included as participants of the focus groups, expressed willingness to participate in discussion forums regarding nurses\' work processes and competencies to advance the development and implementation of PPC that guarantee a quality undergraduate nursing education

Background: In Germany, the process of moving pre-registration nursing education into higher education within a faculty of medicine has differed from developments at universities of applied sciences. This is because such a process implies radical change for the status of and relationship between nurses and physicians. Literature review: The body of knowledge on interprofessional undergraduate education of nursing and medical students, including work on the nurse-physician relationship and collaborative practices of nurses and physicians, provides the foundation of this research. Aim: The primary aim has been to involve the active participation of educational practitioners of the nursing and medical professions concerned in working towards a collaborative culture, including interprofessional undergraduate education for nursing and medical students. Methodology and methods: A participatory paradigm position guided this research, using cooperative inquiry as one approach in action research. The inquiry group decided on the methods to be used for the inquiry and planned, acted out, and reflected on eight interprofessional educational sessions in three cycles over a process of two years. Data from inquiry group members' experiences were audiotaped during this process and analysed with a focus on experiential and propositional knowledge development. Inquiry group members gained feedback from nursing and medical students after their interprofessional sessions in eight group discussions. Framework analysis of qualitative data was used to guide data analysis. In addition, students had the option to provide feedback by completing a questionnaire to evaluate the sessions. For the analysis of the questionnaire data descriptive statistics was used. Findings: The 3P model (presage, process, product) was used as a meta-structure for the IPE_NUMESO model to guide further classroom teaching of nursing and medical students. It was found that undergraduate education of nursing and medical students is a complex social process accompanied by mixed emotions and a strong desire to overcome the separation of both professions. Discussion: The research adds new insight into IPE for undergraduate nursing and medical students: emotions, values, and a problematic reality in which both groups of professionals work together (presage), role change in simulation, the asset of a safe learning environment, peer learning, and strategies to overcome the separation (process). Certain experiences are proposed to be worthwhile (product), such as being able to understand the essence of clinical situations and deal with issues like emotions, values, knowledge and its communication, clinical experience, and power. Social learning theory provided a suitable explanatory approach for the findings. Conclusion and recommendations: This research adds to the knowledge on interprofessional education for undergraduate education for nursing and medical students. Considering IPE as a complex social process offers promising potential to transform future collaborative practices by preparing students for a complex and dynamic collaboration of both professions at the patient's bedside. Recommendations for clinical practice, interprofessional education, and policy are presented.

<p>Background: Health care workers, more specifically, nursing students are at increased risk of occupational injury and exposure to blood borne pathogens. Compliance with universal precautions (UP) will minimise risk or transmission of HIV and HBV (Hepatitis B virus) according to the Department of Health of South Africa. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of universal precautions amongst nursing students and their fear of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Rationale: The rationale for the study was to investigate what the students&rsquo / knowledge and practice of UP were, to see if this could be a possible contributing factor to occupational exposure. Research design: The study was a quantitative, cross sectional survey using a questionnaire that included one open ended question. Participants: The participants for the study were the undergraduate nursing students in year levels two to four (n = 253) who and were selected by means of stratified random sampling. Procedures: A questionnaire was administered to the participants by the researcher. Analysis of the data collected was done through statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0) and content analysis. Results: The researcher established that there is indeed a lack of knowledge regarding UP and that the students&rsquo / self reported practice of UP is poor. No statistically significant correlation between knowledge and practice of UP were found. There is underreporting of occupational exposures to staff at the School of Nursing. The majority of students reported a moderate to severe fear for occupational exposures and contributing factors raised by them are reality in the clinical facilities.</p>

<p>Background: Health care workers, more specifically, nursing students are at increased risk of occupational injury and exposure to blood borne pathogens. Compliance with universal precautions (UP) will minimise risk or transmission of HIV and HBV (Hepatitis B virus) according to the Department of Health of South Africa. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of universal precautions amongst nursing students and their fear of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Rationale: The rationale for the study was to investigate what the students&rsquo / knowledge and practice of UP were, to see if this could be a possible contributing factor to occupational exposure. Research design: The study was a quantitative, cross sectional survey using a questionnaire that included one open ended question. Participants: The participants for the study were the undergraduate nursing students in year levels two to four (n = 253) who and were selected by means of stratified random sampling. Procedures: A questionnaire was administered to the participants by the researcher. Analysis of the data collected was done through statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0) and content analysis. Results: The researcher established that there is indeed a lack of knowledge regarding UP and that the students&rsquo / self reported practice of UP is poor. No statistically significant correlation between knowledge and practice of UP were found. There is underreporting of occupational exposures to staff at the School of Nursing. The majority of students reported a moderate to severe fear for occupational exposures and contributing factors raised by them are reality in the clinical facilities.</p>

The aim of the research was to improve Taiwanese undergraduate nursing students' attitudes toward and knowledge about older people in order to encourage them to work with older people. People aged 65 and over currently make up 9.7% of the Taiwanese population (Department of Statistics 2006). With the increasing population of older people, health care professionals will have more experiences of caring for older people. However, an increasingly large body of literature suggests that most health care professionals have negative attitudes toward older people and little knowledge about older people. Studies from Western countries have indicated that attitudes toward and knowledge about older people can be improved through a variety of educational efforts. Two studies were conducted to examine these issues. Study 1 involved a cross sectional survey of 302 nursing students from four-year and two-year programs in a university in southern Taiwan. Overall, the results showed that nursing students held positive attitudes toward older people but had poor knowledge about older people. Moreover, the findings suggested that nursing students' intention to work with older people and gender were important factors influencing their attitudes toward older people. Age, nursing program, and living with older people were the variables which made independent contributions to knowledge about older people. Study 2 was a quasi-experimental design using pre-post tests with an intervention (experiental based learning) and control group (usual lecture based learning) (n = 60) to test the impact of a gerontological educational subject. Focus group data were also collected to examine students' reactions to the gerontological nursing subject and the experiential learning strategies used in an experiential-based learning group. The sample was students in the second semester of their second year from the same university used for Study 1. All 60 students were randomly assigned into either experiential-based learning or lecture-based learning groups for their gerontological nursing subject. The data were collected across three time points (pre-test, week 16 and week 20) using 2 validated instruments from Study 1. Qualitative data were also collected from the experimental group after students' clinical practice at week 20. In order to test for the effect of the intervention over time, repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine the effectiveness of the experiential learning approach and clinical practice on each of the dependent variables of attitudes and knowledge. The results of Study 2 indicated that students' attitudes toward and knowledge about older people did not differ between the two groups In addition, there was no change in attitudes following the completion of the gerontological nursing subject. Students in both groups had improved their level of knowledge at the end of the gerontological subject. Therefore, the study hypotheses were not supported. Several factors such as lack of linkage between theoretical concepts and experience, the dominant 'exam culture', students' usual learning style and the structure of the program may explain the results. This was the first study which had introduced experiential learning into the selected university. It was necessary to conduct this initial study to understand the students' reaction to it. Therefore, based on the research findings from both the quantitative and qualitative results, the study indicates that additional studies are needed to continue exploring how experiential learning strategies may be used to improve students' attitudes toward and knowledge about older people.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T16:15:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MariaBraga.pdf: 1430825 bytes, checksum: a8963c3494d17ab1cc683e37f3207c65 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-19 / The present study was developed with the goal of understanding the construction of the professional identity of nursing teachers of undergraduate nursing from a private institution located in the city of São Paulo. The discussion of the processes of identity formation was based on studies of Placco Vera de Souza, nationally, and Maurice Tardif and Claude Dubar, internationally. In an exploratory stage, we applied a semi-structured questionnaire to five teachers of graduate studies in Nursing and held a semi-directive with two of the participants in order to refine the data collection instruments. The main research made use of interviews with seven teachers of undergraduate degree in Nursing from the same institution. The data from both the exploratory study as the primary research were analyzed with reference to the assumptions of systematic content analysis by Laurence Bardin and Maria Laura P. B. Franco. The results indicated that nurses become teachers driven by the desire to teach and share knowledge, job opportunities, flexible hours and completion of professional income, and are influenced by their teachers and family formation trajectory. The characteristics valued by them at a teacher were: mastery of content taught, especially the technical knowledge, the continuous pursuit of knowledge, ethics, professionalism, humanization. It is noted a preponderance of the characteristics that involve the knowledge of the content at the expense of pedagogical issues. The reflection and concern about Teaching are present in their speech, as the constant quest to overcome the difficulties in the profession. They consider Teaching profession as a role of prominence in the same way that Nursing. Another factor highlighted in the responses was the strong representation of nurses in the professional career of respondents. In their reports, it was revealed that the construction as teachers occurs continuously throughout the career, which is evident in their speech when they claim to be better teachers now than earlier, despite being a prickly walk initially, it became pleasurable and significant over time. It is emphasized here the importance of valuing the knowledge of the teacher, because only starting with this knowledge, plus theoretically and conceptually working it, teachers will be able to expand the understanding of the work process in health that, now a days, has become highly complex. / O presente estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de compreender a construção da identidade profissional de enfermeiros docentes do curso de graduação em Enfermagem de uma instituição privada localizada na cidade de São Paulo. Para tanto, discute os processos de constituição identitária pautado nos estudos de Vera Placco de Souza, no âmbito nacional, e de Maurice Tardif e Claude Dubar, no âmbito internacional. Em uma etapa exploratória, foi aplicado um questionário semi-estruturado a cinco professoras da pós-graduação em Enfermagem e realizada uma entrevista semi-diretiva com dois desses participantes com o objetivo de refinar os instrumentos de coleta. A pesquisa principal fez uso de entrevista realizada com sete professores do curso de graduação em Enfermagem da mesma instituição. Os dados, tanto do estudo exploratório como da pesquisa principal, foram analisados tendo como referência os pressupostos da análise de conteúdo sistematizados por Laurence Bardin e Maria Laura P. B. Franco. Os resultados indicaram que os enfermeiros se tornam professores impelidos pelo desejo de ensinar e de compartilhar conhecimentos, oportunidade de trabalho, flexibilidade de horário e complementação da renda profissional, e são influenciados por professores de sua trajetória formativa e por familiares. As características valorizadas por eles em um professor foram: o domínio do conteúdo ensinado, sobretudo o saber técnico; a busca contínua do conhecimento; ética; profissionalismo; humanização. Nota-se um predomínio das características que envolvem o conhecimento dos conteúdos em detrimento das questões pedagógicas. A reflexão e preocupação com a Docência estão presentes em suas falas, assim como a busca constante para a superação das dificuldades existentes na profissão. Eles consideram a Docência uma profissão com um papel social de destaque do mesmo modo que a Enfermagem. Outro fator destacado nas respostas foi a forte representação do enfermeiro na carreira profissional dos pesquisados. Em seus relatos, foi possível perceber que sua construção como docentes ocorre de forma contínua ao longo da carreira, o que fica evidenciado em suas falas quando afirmam serem melhores professores agora do que no início de sua trajetória profissional e que, apesar de ser uma caminhada espinhosa inicialmente, tornou-se prazerosa e significativa com o passar do tempo. Ressalta-se aqui a importância de se valorizar os saberes do professor, partindo deles e trabalhando-os teórica e conceitualmente para que o docente amplie a compreensão do processo de ensino em saúde que, no mundo contemporâneo, tornou-se de alta complexidade.

Background. In Canadian baccalaureate nursing education, many schools pair their nursing students with a nurse preceptor to complete a consolidation placement in their final year of studies. The preceptor plays an important role in students’ learning and their success in the program. Although there are many factors that may influence preceptors’ ability to be successful in the role, the literature suggests that self-efficacy may affect their performance as a preceptors and may have an impact on students’ learning and their preceptorship experience. Self-efficacy is defined as a person’s confidence in their abilities to complete a task or goal. As such, preceptors with greater self-efficacy may be more effective in their role and may have a positive impact on students’ learning. Therefore, it is important to assess factors that influence preceptors’ self-efficacy as this knowledge could help inform and target the development of preceptor training programs, preceptor selection criteria and preceptor supports. Objectives. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the factors that affect the self-efficacy of preceptors. Five factors were investigated, including: (1) nursing experience, (2) preceptor experience, (3) vicarious preceptor experience, (4) preceptor training, and (5) the personality trait neuroticism. These variables are derived from Bandura’s (1986) theory of self-efficacy. Design. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional, non-experimental study design. Methods. A total of 95 nurse preceptors participated in the study by completing an online survey and were recruited using multiple strategies, including social media. The survey was comprised of demographic questions, a measure of the Big-Five personality traits, and a measure of clinical teaching self-efficacy. Correlation, independent t-tests and ANOVAs were done to analyze the data. Results. A statistically significant correlation was found between self-efficacy and two independent variables: nursing experience (r = 0.33, p < 0.01) and the personality trait of neuroticism (r = -0.21, p = .05). Additionally, self-efficacy was correlated with agreeableness (r = 0.22, p = .03) and age (r = 0.41, p < 0.01). A statistically significant difference in self-efficacy was found between diploma and bachelor degree nurses (mean difference = 0.37, p = .02), and bachelor degree and graduate degree nurses (mean difference = -0.45, p = .02). Conclusion. Three key results were found to influence the self-efficacy of nurse preceptors. This knowledge can be incorporated into preceptor training, preceptor support and the preceptor selection process.

O desenvolvimento desta pesquisa focalizou o processo de trabalho na formação profissional do enfermeiro, visualizada pelos professores do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem de uma Universidade Pública Federal do Município de São Paulo. O estudo teve como objetivos: identificar no Projeto Pedagógico do Curso (PPC) de Graduação em Enfermagem da UNIFESP os processos de trabalho na formação do graduando de enfermagem; verificar quais processos de trabalho do enfermeiro são focados com maior ênfase na formação profissional na perspectiva dos professores e subsidiar na elaboração do Projeto Pedagógico do Curso por meio de propostas apresentadas pelos professores, sujeitos da pesquisa. Para isso, optou-se pela metodologia de pesquisa-ação por conceber uma ampla e explícita interação entre o pesquisador e as pessoas envolvidas na situação investigada, cujo objetivo foi resolver ou esclarecer os problemas da situação observada, o que pressupõe um aumento do conhecimento e do \"nível de consciência\" das pessoas ligadas à situação, bem como o aumento do conhecimento do próprio pesquisador. Na fase diagnóstica analisou-se o PPC, que explorou e identificou por meio dos objetivos gerais do Curso, das séries e das Disciplinas, os processos de trabalho do enfermeiro que foram estudados na fase de ação, cuja técnica de coleta de dados utilizou o Grupo Focal (GF), que contou com a participação de 15 professores em cinco encontros. O observador foi uma psicóloga organizacional de um hospital de ensino. Os resultados mostraram que os objetivos gerais do PPC contemplaram os processos de trabalho cuidar, administrar, educar e pesquisar. O processo de trabalho cuidar foi o mais enfatizado tanto nos objetivos gerais como nos objetivos das séries e o processo de trabalho administrar foi mais relevante nas duas últimas séries. O processo de trabalho educar e pesquisar não foram evidenciados. O GF apontou que a essência do processo de trabalho na formação do enfermeiro foi o cuidar, nas competências do aprender a conhecer e a fazer na dimensão técnico-científica. Os processos de trabalho administrar e educar e pesquisar não foram relevantes para os sujeitos e foram considerados meios para o processo de trabalho do enfermeiro cuidar. O pesquisar foi um pouco mais discutido no GF e evidenciou a necessidade do graduando consumir pesquisa durante a formação para desenvolver a crítica e a reflexão sobre a prática profissional. E ainda destacaram alguns nós no processo ensino-aprendizagem, que na maioria das vezes, consideraram que o trabalho dos professores e das Disciplinas pouco integrado e leva os graduandos a terem uma visão fragmentada do processo de trabalho, especialmente o cuidar, na formação do enfermeiro. Os sujeitos do GF propuseram criar espaços de discussões a respeito da formação do enfermeiro na vertente do processo de trabalho e as competências da aprendizagem para subsidiar a reconstrução do PPC mais integrada e assegurar a qualificação do ensino aos graduandos / This study focused on the relationship between undergraduate nursing education and nurses\' work processes, as viewed by the faculty of an undergraduate nursing program of a Federal public university of the district of São Paulo. The objectives of the study were: 1) to identify the nurses\' work processes listed in the undergraduate pedagogical educational planning (Projeto Pedagogico do Curso [PPC]) of the São Paulo Federal University (Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP); and, 2) to determine which of the nurses\' work processes listed in the PPC were emphasized by faculty and subsidized the development of the PPC of the UNIFESP. To that end, action-research methodology guided the design and conduct of this study. This methodology was chosen because it allows explicit interactions between the researcher and the people involved in a specific situation. It is useful to clarify or solve identified issues, which in turn may lead to an increase in knowledge and awareness levels of those people involved in the situation as well lead to increase in knowledge among researchers. In the diagnosis phase, the PPC was analyzed by exploring its general objectives, objectives of each program level, and objectives of specific disciplines, to determine the presence of nurses\' work processes identified during the study\'s action phase. The action phase used a focus group approach to collect data from 15 faculty members during 5 meetings. An organizational psychologist from a teaching hospital moderated all focus group meetings. The results of the analysis of the diagnosis phase suggested that the general objectives listed in the PPC address nurse\'s work processes regarding nursing care, nursing management, nursing education, and nursing research. Nursing care was the most emphasized nurses\' work process on the general objectives and on the objectives of each program level and specific disciplines. Nursing management was most relevant on the objectives of the program levels in last two years of the undergraduate nursing program. There was no evidence that nursing education and research were relevant or emphasized on the objectives of each program levels or specific discipline of the undergraduate nursing program. The findings from the focus group discussions pointed out that nursing care was the most fundamental nurses\' work process that guides undergraduate nursing education. Regarding the technical and scientific domains, the emphasis is placed on the students\' competencies to learn, to gain knowledge, and to acquire skills to provide nursing care. The nurses\' work process regarding management, education, and research were not considered to relevant to undergraduate nursing education by faculty members. These processes are viewed as resources nurses use to provide nursing care. The nurses\' work process regarding research was further discussed during the focus groups; and, there was a consensus that there is a need of undergraduate nursing students to consume research findings to enhance their critical thinking regarding nursing practice. In addition, issues emerged related to the teaching-learning process; there is little integration among the various nursing disciplines, which lead students to perceive a fragmented undergraduate nursing education, especially concerning their preparation to provide nursing care. Faculty members, who were included as participants of the focus groups, expressed willingness to participate in discussion forums regarding nurses\' work processes and competencies to advance the development and implementation of PPC that guarantee a quality undergraduate nursing education

Magister Curationis - MCur / Background: Health care workers, more specifically, nursing students are at increased risk of occupational injury and exposure to blood borne pathogens. Compliance with universal precautions (UP) will minimise risk or transmission of HIV and HBV (Hepatitis B virus) according to the Department of Health of South Africa. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of universal precautions amongst nursing students and their fear of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Rationale: The rationale for the study was to investigate what the studentss knowledge and practice of UP were, to see if this could be a possible contributing factor to occupational exposure. Research design: The study was a quantitative, cross sectional survey using a questionnaire that included one open ended question. Participants: The participants for the study were the undergraduate nursing students in year levels two to four (n = 253) who and were selected by means of stratified random sampling. Procedures: A questionnaire was administered to the participants by the researcher. Analysis of the data collected was done through statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0) and content analysis. Results: The researcher established that there is indeed a lack of knowledge regarding UP and that the students&rsquo; self reported practice of UP is poor. No statistically significant correlation between knowledge and practice of UP were found. There is underreporting of occupational exposures to staff at the School of Nursing. The majority of students reported a moderate to severe fear for occupational exposures and contributing factors raised by them are reality in the clinical facilities. / South Africa