Progressing toward specialty certification as the National Standard for Nursing

Nursing specialty certification is an objective measure that assures the public that nurses demonstrate the highest level of professional knowledge in their field. Many nurses do not seek specialty certification, as evidenced by low certification rates. In this creative controversy article, we build a case that progressing toward nursing specialty certification as a national standard will increase overall nursing professionalism while better preparing nurses to meet the needs of their specialty patient populations and the changing health care system.

Current State of Pain Resource Nurse (PRN) Programs and Experiences of PRNs in China

BACKGROUND

Since the 2010s, the Pain Resource Nurse (PRN) program and similar programs have been introduced in Chinese hospitals. However, the status of the PRN program and nurses' experiences in these programs remain unclear.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to identify the factors related to PRN programs and explore PRNs' experiences being part of the program.

DESIGN

A combination of descriptive cross-sectional and qualitative methods was used in the study.

SETTINGS

Thirty-two hospitals in the eastern, central, and western regions of China.

PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS

Twenty-four PRNs who had been PRNs for 6 months or more.

METHODS

A purposive sample of 32 hospitals from eastern, central, and western regions of China carried out a PRN or similar program for more than 1 year with at least five bedside nurses from different nursing units were enrolled in the descriptive cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was designed by Brown's advanced nursing practice framework theory. A total of 24 PRNs who had been PRNs for 6 months or more participated in the interview by convenience and purposive sampling.

RESULTS

The mean number of PRNs in a program was 30.12 ± 17.93 (range 5-74). The role of the PRN was broader compared with that of bedside nurses, and it included pain management, training, and education. The most common reason for hospitals to establish PRN programs was to improve the quality of pain management (n = 28, 87.5%). Administrative support (n = 28, 87.5%) was a major supportive factor for PRN programs and lack of physician support (n = 28, 87.5%) was a barrier. Although all hospitals provided training, those with knowledge assessments after training indicated a significant improvement in the desired PRN functions compared with those that did not (p < .05). Personal interviews revealed that the reasons for becoming a PRN varied and included considering PRN as a career opportunity, personal interest, passively accepting the designation, and being a PRN temporarily. The positive professional experiences of being a PRN included an increased sense of self-worth and accomplishment and growth in a specialty, whereas the negative experiences included frustration with the work environment and resignation because of extra workload.

CONCLUSIONS

The hospital survey results indicated that the PRN program in China is still in the early development stage. The PRN interviews suggest that being a PRN involves both positive and negative experiences.

Reflections on nurse education: past, present and future

Janet Scammell, Associate Professor (Nursing), Bournemouth University, reflects on the changes in nursing that she has seen since beginning her nursing career 40 years ago.

Acute oncology: a developing sub-specialty

Patients with cancer frequently present to hospital as an emergency admission acutely unwell. Patients can suffer from complications of the cancer itself, or significant adverse effects/toxicities related to their cancer therapy. Alternatively, the initial presentation of the malignancy may be through a hospital admission, and the cancer can frequently be widespread and with a poorer prognosis. Patients are often admitted under general physicians, away from their comprehensive cancer care centre or oncologists. Without specialist input or staff adhering to most appropriate pathways, the management of these complicated conditions may be difficult, with patients sometimes having unnecessary and painful investigations and prolonged hospital stays. To address these issues the concept of an acute oncology service has recently evolved. This is a developing sub-specialty that aims to improve the care of cancer patients presenting acutely to hospital at a devastating time in their lives. This article will explore the literature to describe the recent development of the acute oncology model, and consider different methods for the delivery of this service.

Evidence-based practice readiness of ASORN members

Due to the importance of evidence-based practice and its impact on patient outcomes, a research study was conducted in early 2013 soliciting participation of ASORN members. Findings indicate the collegiality and curiosity of nurses, who identify a gap in practice due to lack of knowledge/skills and organizational barriers. Since nurses value EBP and research, as noted in study findings and ASORN Board of Directors support, efforts to advance the art and science of ophthalmic nursing will continue in the future.