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Biomedical subjects

C Duffield

Publications and source records attributed to C Duffield.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

First-line nurse managers in NSW: perceived role competencies (Part II).

A survey of 412 first-line nurse managers employed in hospitals in New South Wales, Australia was undertaken to determine the competencies they believed an individual should possess to fulfil that managerial role. Factor analyses identified both significant functions of the role as well as areas of role conflict and confusion. 13 factors were identified from 4 major scales indicating that first-line nurse managers perceived their role to be extremely comprehensive in terms of managerial knowledge and skills. The analyses clearly indicate that competencies related to staffing and financial issues are perceived to be essential to role performance. However, the correlation coefficient (factor loadings) indicate that ambiguity exists with competencies concerning patient care, perhaps as the remnants of the charge nurse role are discarded. The findings in this study have been presented in two parts: Part 1 discussed the factors identified in two scales, Functional Management and Patient Care Management; Part II discusses the factors identified in the remaining two scales, Staff Management and Leadership (subdivided into two subscales for analysis).

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1992

Future responsibility and requirements for first-line nurse managers in New South Wales.

Changes to the structure and funding of hospitals in Australia are progressing at a rapid pace. Decentralized organizational structures based on a product concept have increased the responsibility and managerial skills needed of first-line nurse managers. The purpose of this study was to determine a profile of first-line nurse managers in hospitals in New South Wales. Data related to education, experience and career plans were obtained from 318 respondents in 34 hospitals. The results indicate a lack of experience and educational preparation in management which has implications for the role of more senior nurse managers.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The value of drills in developing and maintaining numeracy skills in an undergraduate nursing programme.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether mathematical drills enhanced the ability of students of nursing to calculate drug dosages accurately. First year students were drilled and then tested over the next 2 years in drug calculations. It was found that repeated drilling improved students' ability to calculate drug doses but that this skill level diminished over time, in some instances to predrill levels of accuracy. An increase in the number of correct calculations was noticed in the two semesters in which students had a clinical placement leading the authors to conclude that, contrary to previous findings, work experiences do enhance the ability to calculate medication dosages. As safety and competency are essential in those areas of nursing practice which depend on mathematical ability, educational strategies which develop and retain mathematical skills are needed.

Drug Therapy↗
PubMed1991

Maintaining competence for first-line nurse managers: an evaluation of the use of the literature.

The use of nursing literature is frequently advocated as a means of maintaining competence. The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of references to competencies in the literature with those retained for the role of first-line nurse managers by an expert panel involved in the Delphi technique. In this way, the use of literature in maintaining managerial competence for first-line nurse managers was evaluated. When the 20 most frequently mentioned competencies in the literature were compared with the highest mean scores and those ranked as most important by the expert panel, only two competencies appeared on all three lists. Fifteen competencies were frequently mentioned in the literature but were not identified by the expert panel as important to the role of first-line nurse managers. A further three competencies identified in the literature were excluded by the expert panel, indicating they were not perceived to be a function of first-line nurse managers.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1991

First-line nurse managers: issues in the literature.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the major issues from the literature which confront first-line nurse managers. The increasingly complex environment in which these managers function has, at the very least, significantly altered their role. However, there are other issues confronting those in first-line positions and these are discussed under four broad headings: the role of first-line nurse managers; role conflict and confusion; management skills and functions; and education for first-line nurse managers.

Conflict, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

A shared vision--bridging the theory-practice gap.

The recruitment and retention of nurses continues to be an issue which the nursing profession must address. This paper will argue that the resolution of this problem lies in greater collaboration between the higher education and health care sectors. Collaborative strategies should focus on two major aspects. First of all, strategies to bridge the theory-practice gap are important for the retention of new graduates. Secondly, support for first-line nurse managers is needed since these managers are significant in the assimilation of new graduates into the workforce.

Education, Nursing↗
PubMed1990

Health promotion as a nursing function: perceptions held by university students of nursing.

Health care in Australia is more often perceived to be illness rather than health focused in nature. The increasing cost of health care has prompted a movement towards health promotion in the community demanding increasing involvement of health care professionals. This three year study was undertaken to determine the attitudes of students towards health promotion on entry and throughout a tertiary nursing programme. This longitudinal study was exploratory in nature and examined the attitudes of two student cohorts over the programme's three years. Entering students cited the health promotion function more frequently than did those nearing programme completion. There is a need to emphasise health promotion as a role if this is seen as desirable behaviour for comprehensively educated nurses. The perceptions of three intakes of students were examined. The function of health promotion was perceived to be important by entry students and was within the three most frequently mentioned functions.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1989

The competencies expected of first-line nursing managers--an Australian context.

The purpose of this State-wide study was to identify the most important competencies expected of first-line nursing managers. A list of 168 competencies was compiled from the literature and submitted to a panel of 16 expert nursing administrators and academics whose task it was to identify and rank in order the 20 most important of these.

Budgets↗
PubMed1989

The functions of a nurse: perceptions held by university students of nursing.

The transfer of basic nursing education from the hospital to the tertiary education sector provided unique opportunities for research. This study examined student perceptions of the functions in which they believed nurses were involved in the performance of their role. The entry perceptions of students over three years were examined, during which time perceptions of nursing functions did vary. Two student groups were monitored throughout the three years of the nursing program. It was found that perceptions of nursing functions varied according to curriculum content and exposure to a variety of health and illness experiences as well as role models.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1989

The role of nursing unit managers in New South Wales--a Delphi survey.

This study identified the competencies expected of first-line nursing management in New South Wales hospitals. The competencies were determined from the literature and submitted to a Delphi panel of 16 expert nursing administrators and academics whose task it was to delineate those competencies which first-line nursing managers (nursing unit managers) should possess. Considerable consensus existed as only two rounds were required, with little change in opinion occurring between the two rounds. Of the 168 competencies, 12 did not reach the baseline mean of 3.000 (maximum 4.000) and were excluded. The results from both rounds are presented.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1988

Nursing in the 1980s and 1990s--a challenge for managers.

The 1980s have seen a significant number of pressures placed on the health care system and the nursing profession. Such pressures include an adverse economic climate, the impact of technology, the rise of consumerism, the transfer of basic nurse education into the tertiary education sector and the move to privatization in health care. These pressures require skills not previously expected of nurse administrators in order to effect a smooth transition through these times of change. Failure to manage effectively has led to staff shortages and increased industrial militancy, two symptoms present in Australia at the moment. An overview of the present climate in this country is presented for consideration of effective management practices for the future.

Community Participation↗
PubMed1988

Nursing managers--a time to change.

The health care delivery system and the nursing profession have a dynamic relationship. The increasingly complex nature of nursing is reflected in recent industrial awards which have created a clinical career structure. The introduction of a clinical pathway should enable nursing managers to focus their attention on management issues and practices, rather than clinical problems. However, two significant barriers to effective management remain: the basis of appointment of nurses to managerial positions and the lack of management education available. Both issues must be addressed by the profession.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1986

Disaster planning strategies for hospitals.

Considerable agreement exists on objectives for disaster planning in hospitals. However, different strategies have been proposed to achieve these objectives. Some of these strategies are considered from the view point of those hospital personnel directly involved in disaster plans.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Delphi method?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Data Collection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nurses' perceptions of their professional growth on completion of two years of postgraduate education.

In a climate of diminishing financial resources in service industries such as health care and education, it is not surprising that a focus on measuring and ensuring appropriate outcomes is widespread. Graduate education has the potential to make a significant difference to the professional behaviour of graduates. Postgraduate nursing coursework programs have been developed and offered in such a climate, many now charging full course fees, which no doubt stimulates participants and employers to look for value for money in terms of outcomes. A ten year longitudinal study began in 1992 and was designed to determine the impact of postgraduate coursework nursing education on the careers and the professional and personal development of graduates. This paper reports graduates' perception of their personal and professional growth in terms of professional activities such as writing for publication, research, mentoring, and involvement in professional organisations at the completion of their university course. Respondents indicated the course had contributed to increased professional behaviours in all aspects and to a marked improvement in their clinical confidence. Improved self esteem and increased participation in professional activities reflects changing attitudes towards nursing work that have important implications for improved quality of patient care.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

It's all in a name. When is a 'Delphi study' not a Delphi study?

As nursing researchers we need to fully understand the origins of the methods we are using in research investigations. Without an in-depth understanding, we may find ourselves violating fundamental underpinning assumptions or conventions through ignorance, and the resulting studies are unlikely to stand up to tests of congruence and rigour. This paper is a discussion of some complexities encountered while exploring the literature on the Delphi technique, a research method we had believed to be straightforward. The Delphi method had been used extensively since its development in the 1950s, and its use in nursing research appears to be increasing. Our explorations revealed that, rather than a simple means of obtaining the judgments of experts, modifications and adaptations over the years have dramatically changed 'the' Delphi. Anyone wishing to use the method needs a sound knowledge of complex theoretical issues associated with its implementation.

Consultants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Australian clinicians and educators identify gaps in specialist cardiac nursing practice.

Change is endemic in both the health care and higher education sectors in Australia. Consequently professional roles and educational pathways must also evolve and adapt, often catalysed by those in leadership positions. Two national Delphi panels, one of cardiac nurse educators and the other of cardiac nurses, were convened to answer the question 'What knowledge, skills and attitudes are required for an expert nurse practising in the highly technological cardiac care environment?' Respondents indicated on a Likert scale the importance of 107 items to the nurse's role in both the 'real' and 'ideal' worlds of practice. Overall there was very strong agreement between the two panels with results indicating that Australian nurses perform close to their ideal in many areas of practice. For 31 of the items, both panels identified that the reality of practice is quite far from their ideal. Both panels agree that 10 of the behaviours are carried out or valued very little in practice. Reasons why nurses are not carrying out these elements of the role to their satisfaction are discussed and remediation strategies suggested. The findings can inform both curriculum development and clinical practice. In the dynamic health care arena, the nursing profession continues to respond to community and professional needs, seeking to establish sound research-based practice and maintain a high quality of clinical care and nursing management. The development of competencies by the Confederation of Critical Care Nurses (1996) is a good example of professional groups taking the initiative both in defining the practice role and providing tools that assist educational bodies to develop programs appropriate for a practice based discipline. Specialty nursing practice is 'under the microscope' in Australia as the profession seeks the best methods to weight nursing activities, measure nursing outcomes and recruit, retain and justify the use of specialist practitioners.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗