RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Within an overarching evaluation framework, this study explored the experiences of course participants and administrators of an intercountry master's degree in nursing between South Africa and Mozambique. The lessons learnt were used to inform nursing and health policy for the Mozambican health system. METHODS: Kirkpatrick's four levels of training evaluation and a results-oriented approach to capacity change were integrated to form a hybrid evaluation framework to capture information about course implementation and the context/environment within which it was delivered. The study used quantitative and qualitative methods including a self-administered survey of course participants, document review, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with course administrators and two focus group discussions with course participants. FINDINGS: Participants enrolled in the course primarily to gain new knowledge and to improve health outcomes; course participants and administrators responded positively to the course design, course implementation and the quality of teaching. Knowledge and skills gained help to build graduates' confidence and boost their attitude towards nursing. Paradoxically, graduates felt powerless to transfer knowledge and effect change in practice. CONCLUSION: This collaborative, capacity development project produced postgraduate nurses in two areas of specialization, namely, critical care and trauma nursing and maternal and neonatal health. While course participants gained significant benefits in new skills and knowledge and a higher degree qualification, the rewards available to them in the public health system remain unclear. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Lessons learnt may serve to influence policy decisions about the role of the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in sustaining the output and quality of postgraduate nurses for the Mozambican health system. A strategic approach informed by multilevel policies at government, organizational and managerial levels should be adopted to systematically minimize and remove barriers to the transfer and utilization of knowledge and skills in the workplace.
Asunto(s)
Atención a la Salud/organización & administración , Educación de Postgrado en Enfermería/organización & administración , Política de Salud , Cooperación Internacional , Personal de Enfermería/educación , Adulto , Femenino , Grupos Focales , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mozambique , Sudáfrica , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
AIM: To examine the activities and concerns of critical care nurses and professional critical care nursing organizations around the world and to identify expectations held of nursing leaders and policy makers to help address their concerns. BACKGROUND: This study is the fourth worldwide review of its type. Previous surveys were undertaken in 2001, 2005 and 2009. METHODS: An online descriptive survey was emailed to 88 potential participants from countries with critical care nursing organizations or known critical care nursing leaders. Responses were downloaded into Survey Monkey™ (Version 22) and analysed by geographical region and income level. RESULTS: Fifty-nine respondents from 58 countries completed the questionnaire, of whom 43 had critical care nursing organizations established in their countries and 29 were members of the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. The services provided by the organizations to be of most value were national conferences, website, professional representation, and practice standards and guidelines. Professional policies had been developed by some organizations on workforce, education and practice, while almost half provided their members with either a newsletter or journal. Collectively, the most important issues for critical care nurses were working conditions, provision of formal practice guidelines and competencies, staffing levels and access to quality education programmes. CONCLUSIONS: Important issues continue to challenge the specialty of critical care nursing as new developments, priorities, clinical issues and other global events and influences impact critical care nursing worldwide. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: This study will help guide nursing leaders and policy makers to address the needs of critical care nurses and their patients. Collaborative approaches between the specialty, nursing leaders and health policy advisors will assist to inform appropriate change in areas recommended for further action.
Asunto(s)
Actitud del Personal de Salud , Enfermería de Cuidados Críticos , Sociedades de Enfermería , Competencia Clínica , Humanos , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Administración de Personal , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Encuestas y CuestionariosAsunto(s)
Cuidados Críticos/organización & administración , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/organización & administración , Especialidades de Enfermería/organización & administración , Bachillerato en Enfermería/organización & administración , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Asistentes de Enfermería/educación , Asistentes de Enfermería/organización & administración , Investigación en Enfermería/organización & administración , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/educación , Enfermería Práctica/educación , Enfermería Práctica/organización & administración , Admisión y Programación de Personal/organización & administración , Sociedades de Enfermería/organización & administración , Sudáfrica , Especialidades de Enfermería/educaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This study is the second world survey of critical care nursing organizations (CCNOs). The first survey was undertaken 6 years ago and data were collected from 23 countries over a 2-year period. The aim of the second survey was to profile the issues and activities of critical care nurses and their professional organizations, expanding on the previous survey to obtain both an update of the issues and a wider global perspective. METHODS: A descriptive survey was emailed to 80 potential responding countries with recognized CCNOs or nursing leaders. Responses were analysed descriptively by geographical region. RESULTS: A total of 51 respondents completed the questionnaire over a 6-month period, achieving a return rate of 64%. The most common issues identified by critical care nurses were staffing levels and teamwork. Other important issues included wages, working conditions and access to quality educational programmes. The respondents perceived national conferences, professional representation, standards for educational courses, provision of a website, and educational workshops and forums as the five most important activities that should be provided for critical care nurses by national CCNOs. CONCLUSIONS: Workforce and education issues remain dominant themes among critical care nurses of the world. These issues have changed very little in the last 6 years. Using the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses network of regional CCNOs and critical care nursing leaders has proven to be a successful strategy for the collection of data on world issues and for international communication and support.