Biomedical subjects

Nora O'Callaghan

Publications and source records attributed to Nora O'Callaghan.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

An investigation of the lived experiences of registered nurses facilitating supernumerary nursing students.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the everyday lived experiences of registered nurses facilitating supernumerary diploma student nurses in the clinical area. The research question; 'How do registered nurses perceive their role in relation to supernumerary students?' provided the central focus for the study. Using purposive sampling, 10 participants were chosen for the research. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. The themes that emerged from the data are 'supernumerary status', 'facilitating students', 'rewarding experience', 'student interest', 'the diploma programme' and 'issues in nurse education'. The findings revealed positive and negative experiences of facilitating supernumerary students. Since the diploma programme of pre-registration nurse education was in its inaugural stages in Ireland at the time of this study, a foundation for further research is established. The conclusion indicates that facilitating supernumerary student nurses at diploma level can be a complex phenomenon for registered nurses.

Education, Nursing↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-operative fasting.

AIM: To investigate the nursing practice of fasting patients before surgery. METHOD: A descriptive research design was used. The instrument used was a structured interview schedule based on that of Hung (1992). A random sample of 20 nurses was selected for the study. RESULTS: The findings indicated that patients fast for longer periods than research suggests is necessary. The communication between the operating theatre and the wards was found to be reasonably good in relation to notification about delays or alterations in the operating lists. However, half of the respondents did not give patients anything to eat or drink if a delay occurred. CONCLUSION: Ritualistic practice prevailed and there was a lack of application of research findings. There was general agreement about the need for change, but resistance to change was a major problem. This study has implications for nursing practice, education and administration.

Fasting↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The use of expert practice to explore reflection.

This article describes an experience, drawn from clinical practice, which has been used to expand personal knowledge and enable self-reflection. Johns' (1995) model of structured reflection provides an analysis of the practice experience. Carper's (1978) four ways of knowing is used to discuss personal learning and development.

Bandages↗