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Biomedical subjects

R Cosgray

Publications and source records attributed to R Cosgray.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Mentoring state hospital nurses to write.

There is a shortage of clinical nurses, particularly in the area of psychiatric nursing, who feel competent and comfortable writing for publication. This is unfortunate since clinical nurses have valuable experiences to share, to promote and advance the nursing profession. This manuscript describes the work of one Director of Nursing at a state hospital who mentored the nursing staff to write for publication. Over a period of five years some 28 articles have been published by nurses at this hospital. This success in publication has led to an increase in self-esteem among nurses, an increased willingness to share their writing experiences with others, and increased numbers of workshop presentations on clinical subjects. This article describes how the mentoring process can be used to promote authorship, and specifically, how it was used at this one hospital.

Clinical Nursing Research↗
PubMed1994

Knowledge and attitudes of chronic mentally ill patients before and after medication education.

This study compares the knowledge and attitudes of 60 patients in a state hospital about medication, before and after structured and unstructured medication education. The purpose was to determine which type of education has more positive effects. A pre- and post-test two-group experimental design was used. The results of this study were not statistically significant in supporting the literature that education has some effect on knowledge or on attitude about taking medication. The study showed similar effects of the method (structured versus unstructured) on increasing knowledge and attitude toward medication. Demographic data from the study suggest a variety of other factors may relate to attitudes and knowledge about medication in the hospital. This study suggests medication education should address demographic factors, incorporate multi-dimensional approaches, include more active patient participation, and utilize one-to-one teaching whenever possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A program for water-intoxicated patients at a state hospital.

During normal circumstances, individuals have a delicate balance of water requirement and water intake. If the balance of water is altered, electrolyte imbalance can occur. If fluid intake continues uncurbed, an extreme condition may result known as self-induced water intoxication and psychoses. If untreated, complications may develop, including dilated and hypotonic bowel and bladder, hydronephrosis, renal failure, congestive heart failure, mild confusion, acute delirium, seizures, coma, and death. The ongoing problem of water intoxication presents a modern day nursing challenge to psychiatric nurses. The present study monitors nine chronically ill patients in a special program for water intoxication involving control and monitoring and a psychoeducational group approach in a closed unit of a state hospital. At the end of 3 months serum electrolytes, serum osmolality, and urine specific gravity were within normal limits since the start of the program. Anxiety, as evidenced by restlessness, pacing, increased talking, demanding behavior, hyperactivity, yelling, and irritability, had lessened. This improvement was accompanied by a stabilization of psychotic behavior. The use of restraints dropped from 1303 hr in the 3 months before the program to 20 hr and 55 min for the nine patients in the first 3 months of the program. Progress in relation to the study hypothesis will be evaluated every 3 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of three rating scales used with psychiatric patients.

Many instruments are available to augment assessment of psychiatric patients. There is little comparative information regarding reliability and validity of these tools on assessing treatment needs, in predicting future behavior, and in classifying psychiatric patients. The purpose of the descriptive study was to provide comparative information on the Nosie-30, Pardue-Dick and the Revised Allen Cognitive Level Test. A significant correlation was found between the total Nosie-30 and the Pardue-Dick and between the Revised ACL and the Nosie-30. The scores on the Pardue-Dick and the R-ACL were not related.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1991

Being an effective speaker.

Communication in a group is an essential quality for success in nursing. Despite this, many nurses who must have communication skills to advance have little training in public speaking. Some nurses seek to correct such deficiencies in their education by taking courses in the evenings or on weekends to improve their understanding of the elements of effective speaking. Other nurses learn by self-reflection, study, and ongoing practice. This article has presented guidelines for speaking in a group that can offer assistance in mastering this important nursing skill. Elements of nonverbal communication are crucial for effective communication. However, despite the importance of non-verbal communication to the message, language is what makes communication possible. It is language that allows people to communicate new ideas and thoughts and to solve problems.

Communication↗
PubMed1987

Developing a privileging process for the psychiatric nurse.

A privileging process for nurses has the potential for improving nurses' professional performance and increasing the quality of patient care. At Logansport State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Logansport, Indiana, a privileging process was developed in which advanced psychiatric nursing skills and areas of expertise are delineated as privileges. Twelve privileging areas were established along with specific educational and performance criteria. By requiring nurses to reapply for privileges on an ongoing basis, the hospital assures the continued education and competency of its nursing staff.

Credentialing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of Orem's model in psychiatric rehabilitation assessment.

Nurses in service, rehabilitation, and education have found that Orem's self-care model provides a useful framework for assessing the patient's needs and organizing care. The model has been found to be useful in assessing the long-term-care psychiatric patient.

Humans↗