Iran Journal of Nursing
Year:2024 | Volume:36 | Issue:145|Papers Count:8

2Background & Aims One of the reasons for leaving the job among nurses can be the lack of career adaptability, which refers to ability to cope with changes in working conditions. This study aims to determine the relationship between career adaptability and the intention to stay in job among nurses working in critical care units of teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study with a cross-sectional design that was conducted in 2022-2023 in critical care units of seven hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. Participants were 220 nurses working in these units with at least 6 months of work experience, who selected by a stratified sampling method from different working shifts. Data collection was done online using a demographic form, the career adapt-abilities scale (with four dimensions of concern, control, curiosity, confidence), and an intention to stay in job questionnaire (with three dimensions of adaptation, sacrifice, communication). Descriptive statistics (Mean±SD, frequency, percentage) were used to describe the data, while Pearson’s correlation test and regression analysis were used to assess the relationships between the study variables. Results The mean total score of career adaptability was 2. 98±0. 98 and the mean total score of intention to stay was 3. 02±1. Among the dimensions of career adaptability, the highest average was related to concern (3. 05±1. 14) and the lowest score was related to curiosity (2. 92±1. 09). Among the dimensions of intention to stay, the highest score was related to sacrifice (3. 06±1. 09) and the lowest score was related to adaptability (2. 98±1. 1). A positive and significant relationship was found between career adaptability and the intention to stay in job (r=0. 43, P<0. 05).   Conclusion Career adaptability, especially its curiosity dimension, has a significant relationship the intention to stay in job among nurses working in critical care units. By addressing different dimensions of career adaptability in nurses, hospital managers can be able to safeguard nurse retention in hospitals and mitigate nurse turnover.

2Background & Aims Patients with leukemia face mental distress that can affect their hope. One of the effective components in measuring psychological well-being is illness perception, which refers to the cognitive evaluation and understanding of a medical condition. This study aims to determine the relationship between illness perception and hope in patients with leukemia hospitalized in selected hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study conducted on 200 patients with leukemia hospitalized in selected hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Data collection tools were a demographic form, Broadbent et al. ’s brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ) and Snyder’s adult hope scale (AHS). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation test, independent t-test, and analysis of variance. Results The mean total score of BIPQ was 37. 45 ± 9. 10 and the mean total score of AHS was 32. 39 ± 1. 88. There was negative and significant correlation between illness perception and hope (r=-0. 489, P<0. 001). Conclusion A more positive perception of leukemia can improve the hope of patients. It is recommended to implement interventions to create a positive illness perception in these patients to increase their hope.

2Background & Aims Some studies have reported a high risk of metabolic syndrome among women and night shift workers. This study aims to determine the status of metabolic syndrome laboratory indicators and thyroid function tests in nurses working in Rajaei Cardiovascular, Medical, & Research Center (RCMRC) in Tehran, Iran, in 2020-2021. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study on the health records of nurses working in RCMRC. The sampling was done using a census method. Records with incomplete information were excluded. A form containing demographic characteristics, thyroid function indicators, and metabolic syndrome laboratory indicators was used to collect data from the health records. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 26. Results Out of 401 reviewed records, 339 cases (84. 5%) were for female nurses. The mean age of nurses was 37. 47±8. 68 years, and their mean work experience was 13. 17±8. 07 years. According to the criteria of the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the prevalence of abnormalities in metabolic syndrome laboratory tests was 5. 21%, while according to the National Cholesterol Education Program III criteria, it was 2. 99%. The prevalence of clinical hypothyroidism was 0. 2%,subclinical hypothyroidism, 12. 0%,and subclinical hyperthyroidism, 1. 5%. Conclusion The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and thyroid disorders among nurses working in RCMRC is not considerable. Further large-scale studies (cohort or longitudinal) are recommended.

2Background & Aims Nurses on the frontline of fight against COVID-19 faced with many stressors. The unpredictability of the situation and the seriousness of the risk can lead to intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in them. Nurses with IU perceive uncertainties about COVID-19 as distressing and stressful, and experience severe anxiety and worry. Anxiety in such situations leads to cognitive avoidance, rumination or other maladaptive coping strategies. The present study aims to determine the IU status during the COVID-19 pandemic in nurses working in teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on 240 nurses working in the coronavirus wards of teaching hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, whowere selected by a census sampling method and based on the inclusion criteria. A demographic form and Freeston et al. ’s intolerance of uncertainty scale (IUS) were completed by them. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 16, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The mean score of IU was 62. 58±20. 36. The stress dimension of IUS showed the highest score (2. 49±0. 78) while the dimension of inability to take action showed the lowest score (2. 15±0. 80). The COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with IU (P=0. 048). Conclusion The nurses working in the coronavirus wards of selected teaching hospitals had IU during the COVID-19 pandemic such that they had more IU regarding stress, but the amount of IU was not so high that can make them unable to perform their duties. Providing education to nurses on how to break the cycle of anxiety and IU, changing their beliefs about IU, reducing their negative orientation to problems, controlling and monitoring their performance, and facilitating the provision of care can help optimize nursing care and achieve quality patient care during health-related crises.

2Background & Aims One of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was its impact on marital relations. In health workers, including midwives, who have longer and more contact with mothers who may be infected with COVID-19, the fear of transmitting the virus to their partners is more. This fear can affect their personal lives, including sexual relationships and sexual health. This study aims to determine the relationship of the fear of COVID-19 with sexual function and sexual satisfaction in midwives working in teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 122 midwives working in teaching affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. They were selected using a census method from May 13 to August 6, 2022. Data collection tools included a demographic/ COVID-19-related form, Ahurso’s fear of COVID-19 scale, female sexual function index (FSFI) and sexual satisfaction index. Data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 24.  Results The mean age of participants was 32.21 ± 6.27 years. Most of them had a bachelor’s degree. Sexual satisfaction had no significant relationship with any demographic factors (P>0.05). There was a negative and significant correlation (weak) between fear of COVID-19 and sexual satisfaction (r=-0.214, P=0.019). Also, there was a negative and significant correlation (moderate) between the fear of COVID-19 and sexual function (r=-0.450, P<0.001). Conclusion It seems that the fear of COVID-19 is related to sexual function and sexual satisfaction of Iranian married midwives. Therefore, during similar pandemics in the future, midwives need support such as receiving more personal protective equipment and stress management and resilience training workshops .

2Background & Aims The spread of COVID-19 pandemic caused anxiety in the medical staff, especially nurses, which contributed to many physical and mental problems in them. The relationship between cognitive flexibility and COVID-19-related anxiety is still unknown. This study aims to measure the relationship between cognitive flexibility and COVID-19-related anxiety in nurses, and find the related factors. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design that was conducted in 2021 on 120 male and female nurses working in one of the hospitals affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences. Sampling was done using a stratified and random sampling method for three months. The cognitive flexibility inventory (CFI) and the corona disease anxiety scale (CDAS) were employed to collect data. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 23, using independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation test. Results The mean total score of CDAS was 21. 09±3. 96, ranged from 12 to 32. The mean total score of CFI was 52. 78±9. 97, ranged from 30 to 81. Based on Pearson’s correlation test results, there was no significant relationship between cognitive flexibility and COVID-19-related anxiety (p>0. 05). The mean scores of CFI and CDAS were not significantly different based on age, number of children, work experience, physical activity level, and educational level,however, nurses with permanent employment (P=0. 007) and female nurses (P=0. 03) had higher cognitive flexibility, and married nurses had lower anxiety (P=0. 021). Conclusion There is no significant relationship between cognitive flexibility and COVID-19-related anxiety in nurses. The personality traits such as cognitive flexibility is not enough to reduce the high level of anxiety caused the pandemics such as COVID-19 and it requires multiple measures and strategies.

2Background & Aims Providing quality nursing care has always been the main concern of nurses. Clinical competence and moral courage are effective factors in providing quality nursing care. The present study aims to determine the relationship between clinical competency and moral courage in Iranian nurses. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study with a cross-sectional design that was conducted in 2022 on 123 nurses working in teaching hospitals affiliated to Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, who were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data collection tools were Sekarka et al. ’s moral courage questionnaire, Liu et al. ’s competency inventory for registered nurses, and a demographic form. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation test in SPSS software, version 16. Results The mean scores of clinical competency and moral courage scores were 151. 18 ± 22. 32 and 59. 56 ± 7. 47, respectively, indicating a moderate clinical competency and high moral courage. There was a significant and positive (weak) relationship between moral courage and clinical competency (r=0. 272, P=0. 001). Conclusion Due to the moderate clinical competency of nurses, educational workshops are recommended to improve their clinical competence. Moreover, since there is a weak relationship between clinical competency and moral courage of nurses, factors other than clinical competence may be related to moral courage, which requires further studies.

2Background & Aims Oral presentation skills play an important role in the personal, academic and professional success. It is the most common method of educational assessment in higher education settings. This study aims to determine the oral presentation competency of nursing students from Ardabil university of medical sciences (AUMS). Materials & Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2023 on 274 nursing students from AUMS, who were selected using a convenience sampling method. The data collection tool were a demographic form and Chiang’s oral presentation evaluation scale (OPES). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 20, using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Results The total score of OPES was 58.81±7.75. The scores of the dimensions of accuracy in content, effective communication, and clarity of speech was 4.01±0.348, 3.72±0.658, and 4.02 ± 0.673, respectively. Competency was higher in Persian speaking students than in Azari-speaking students. Also, students with a history of more oral presentation and reading of public speaking books obtained higher scores. Conclusion Considering the importance of oral presentations for nurses, it is recommended that nursing professors in AUMS and the educational system in Iran pay more attention to promote this skill in Azeri-speaking nursing students.