NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences)

Concept Mapping as a Learning Tool among BSN Students at a Private College Karachi

Aziz Ur Rehman Yousafzai — 2025-03-31

Concept Mapping (CM) is a learning tool that plays an important role in education and provides a systematic path towards improving nursing knowledge, clinical skills and curriculum development. Objective: To assess whether CM is a useful learning tool for the students of nursing at a private college in Karachi. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional approach using a non-probability convenient sampling technique was applied, and a well-structured questionnaire containing 20 questions was distributed among the participants. Data were collected from post-RN BSc N students at Horizon School of Nursing from October to December 2023. Written consent was obtained from the participants. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 26.0). Results: Results showed that majority (30.0%) of the participants were in age group 31-35 years, most of them were females (87.5%), regarding level of education majority (87.5%) were in 2^nd year and 82.5% were married. The data overwhelmingly supported concept mapping's usefulness among undergraduate nurses, with 80% to 95% of the responses were in favor of its benefits. Participants, ranging from 87.5% to 97%, agreed that CM aids in understanding topics thoroughly, promotes critical thinking, and enhances study skills. Moreover, 80% of the students told that CM is a useful learning tool. Conclusions: CM in higher education is a useful learning tool supported by the students, they agreed that it enhances understanding and critical thinking making it a highly valued learning strategy. Therefore, the use of this tool should be implemented in all nursing schools and colleges.

Correlation of Smart Phone Addiction and Academic Performance among Nursing Students of Private Nursing Colleges in Swat

Syed Mushtaq Alam Sarmad — 2025-03-31

Smartphone addiction has become a growing concern among students, negatively impacting their academic performance. Objective: To examine the correlation of smartphone addiction among nursing students with academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2024 to November 2024 in five private nursing colleges in Swat. The study included 249 nursing students from the 4th, 5th, and 8th semesters, selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, incorporating the Academic Performance Scale (APS) and the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) (Cronbach’s alpha=0.911). Results: Findings revealed that 67.9% of students were addicted to smartphones, while 32.1% were not addicted. Academic performance assessment showed that a majority of students exhibited poor performance, with only a small proportion achieving good or excellent results. A strong negative correlation (r=-0.934, p<0.01) was observed between smartphone addiction and academic performance, confirming that excessive smartphone use significantly hampers academic success. Conclusions: It was concluded that smartphone addiction is a major factor contributing to poor academic performance among nursing students. To address this issue, awareness programs, time management strategies, and institutional policies should be implemented to promote responsible smartphone use.

Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality among Bariatric Surgery Patients at Luqman International Hospital Swat

Yasir Khan — 2025-03-31

A key metric for evaluating the quality of healthcare is patient happiness, especially in the context of post-operative care. Research on bariatric surgery patients' satisfaction with nursing care is few, despite the fact that they need specialised nursing support. Objective: To evaluate bariatric surgery patients' satisfaction with the quality of nursing treatment at Luqman International Hospital Swat. Methods: A standardized PSNCQQ questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional study to assess nursing care characteristics such responsiveness, professionalism, communication, and post-discharge support. 50 patients were selected through convenient sampling, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The findings indicated high satisfaction in areas such as nurse-patient communication, with mean scores ranging from 4.28 to 4.54, respect with a mean score of 4.40, and post-discharge support with a mean score of 4.44. However, areas requiring improvement included response time, teamwork, and technical aspects such as medication handling, with mean scores ranging from 4.22 to 4.26. Conclusions: Overall, patients expressed positive experiences with nursing care, though minor improvements are needed in certain areas. Enhancing teamwork and response time can further improve patient satisfaction.

Knowledge and Practice of Health Care Providers Regarding Infection Control at Luqman International Hospital Swat

Yasir Khan — 2025-03-31

Infection control is paramount in healthcare settings, preventing healthcare-associated infections and ensuring patient and staff safety. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of healthcare providers regarding infection control. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Luqman International Hospital, swat. 100 staff included in the research are nurses, paramedics, medical technicians (MTs), and Lady Health Visitors (LHV). The researchers have used convenient sampling, considering the accessibility and availability of staff members during the study period. Results: The findings revealed that 40% have a low level of knowledge, 50% moderate, and 10% have an elevated level of knowledge regarding infection control. Regarding the level of practice on infection control, 35% had low practice, 53 had average, and 12% had an elevated level of practice regarding infection control. Conclusions: It was concluded that healthcare providers have considerable gaps in their understanding and use of infection control. 35% showed poor practice and 40% showed little knowledge. To increase the comprehension and use of infection control strategies, immediate interventions are required

Assessment of Self-Confidence Among Nursing Students During Clinical Decisions Making

Farhan Alam — 2025-03-31

As nursing students move from classroom theory to actual patient care, clinical decision-making is an essential ability. Their capacity to make wise clinical decisions is greatly influenced by their level of self-confidence. Knowledge, experience, and worry are some of the factors that greatly affect their ability to make decisions. Objectives: To assess the self-confidence levels of nursing students during clinical decision-making, highlighting its impact on their ability to provide competent patient care. Methods: Between September and October 2024, third- and fourth-year BS nursing students from Upper Swat College of Nursing and Malakand College of Nursing participated in a cross-sectional descriptive study. Convenience sampling was used to choose 80 individuals in total. The Nursing Self-Confidence with Clinical Decision Making (NASC-CDM) questionnaire, which used a Likert-scale style, was used to gather data. SPSS version 26.0 was used for statistical analysis, and frequency (%) was computed. Results: Out of 80 participants, 7.5% were women and 92.5% were men. Most pupils (61.3%) were between the ages of 21 and 23. According to the self-confidence scores, 3.7% had low self-confidence, 56.3% had moderate self-confidence, and 40% had strong self-confidence. Conclusions: It was concluded that the majority of nursing students demonstrated moderate to high levels of self-confidence when making clinical decisions. Gaining self-assurance via clinical experience and education can enhance one's decision-making capacity, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Perception of Conducive Learning Environment among Students in Nursing Colleges, Islamabad

Sumayya Bibi — 2025-03-31

Nursing education is essential for developing skilled healthcare practitioners, and Students' educational experiences and outcomes are significantly impacted by their learning environment. Objective: To find out how Islamabad, Pakistan's nursing schools' students feel about the supportive learning environment. Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 220 nursing students enrolled in Post-Registered Nurse Bachelor of Science in Nursing (PRBSN) and Generic Bachelor of Science in Nursing (GBSN) programs participated. Responses were collected anonymously using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). SPSS version 25.0 was used to analyze the data in order to obtain a more detailed grasp of the perceptions of the pupils. Results: The 220 participants in the study, 90 (40.9%) identified as male and 130 (59.1%) as female. The overall mean score of 153 out of 200 indicates that people have more favourable opinions about the supportive learning environment than they do negative ones. Further investigation revealed that students in the GBSN program had even more favourable opinions of a supportive learning environment (P<0.0001) according to the independent t-test than students in the PRBSN program. Additionally, female students displayed significantly more positive perceptions (P<0.0001) compared to their male counterparts. Conclusions: In examining the nursing students’ perceptions, this study identified both commonalities and differences in their perceptions. While positive aspects were acknowledged, negative perceptions also surfaced. The study concludes that creating a conducive learning environment in nursing colleges is essential for fostering positive student experiences and enhancing the overall quality of education.

Assessment of The Emotional Intelligence Level Among Public and Private Undergraduate Nursing Students and its Association with Demographic Variables

Abdul Sami Awan — 2025-03-31

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is mainly associated with individual thinking. The nurses' emotions and the nursing interventions are sometimes affected by such emotional abilities of nurses. Objectives: To explore the relationship of EI between public and private undergraduate nursing students and compare demographic variables with EI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private nursing colleges in Karachi, Pakistan. The total sample size was (n=196) undergraduate nursing. The data collection was done through a written questionnaire. Data were analyzed through the SPSS version 29.0. Frequency and percentage were calculated for the different levels of EI among the private and public undergraduate nursing students. Moreover, the EI comparison was also done with the demographic data. Result: 104 (53.3%) were male and 92 (46.9%) were female. According to demographic information, 39 (19.8%) participants were ages 15-20, and 157 (80.5%) were aged 21-30. 29 (14.79%) participants had less than 3 CGPA in the last semester, and 167 (85.5%) undergraduate students had more than 3 CGPA in the previous semester. Moreover, the mean and standard deviation of male was (126.1 ± 16.7) and female was (125.2 ± 13.4) with a t-value is 0.372 and a p-value is 0.045. Conclusions: It was concluded that there was a significant difference in EI among undergraduate public and private Nursing Students. This study also reveals critical insights into how demographic factors, such as age, gender, and CGPA influence the participant’s emotional intelligence.

Insights into Effective Communication in Higher Education: A Survey Study on its Effects on Nursing Faculty Self-Esteem and Student Learning

. Shaista — 2025-03-31

Student learning outcomes together with faculty self-esteem development benefit significantly from effective communication methods within higher educational environments, especially nursing education. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively contributes to positive relationships, enhanced teaching, and improved student performance. Objectives: evaluate how communication effectiveness shapes nursing faculty self-esteem together with student academic results. The main objectives aim to determine which communication methods help retain faculty self-esteem while maximizing student learning opportunities in nursing education. Methods: A questionnaire-based assessment of nursing faculty members with students was used as the research method. The research instrument evaluated both communication processes and their relationship with faculty perception of self-esteem and student educational achievements. The researchers tested patterns and links between the study factors and communication effectiveness through data analysis. Results: The research data indicates that nursing faculty members who communicate well achieve better self-esteem along with students who experience improved learning outcomes. Nursing faculty who communicated with clarity and empathy along with openness achieved better self-esteem ratings but students learned better when faculty delivered effective communication messages. Conclusions: It was concluded that effective communication stands vital in nursing educational settings. Through specific educator recommendations about communication enhancement strategies, the professional self-esteem of faculty can improve alongside building better learning environments for students. The study demonstrates a need for ongoing educational development programs about communication competencies that can boost nursing education effectiveness.

Knowledge and Practices of Intensive Care Unit Nurses Regarding Endotracheal Tube Suctioning at Tertiary Care Hospital

Owais Anwar — 2025-03-31

One of the ten most important nursing interventions is Endotracheal Aspirating (ETS) that critical care nurses provide to intubated patients. The ICU nurse is responsible for performing endotracheal suction, which helps mechanically ventilated patients who are unable to clear their airways of secretions and improves oxygenation and ventilation. Objective: To evaluate the expertise and behaviors of critical care nurses in tertiary care hospitals with regard to endotracheal tube suctioning. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design with purposive sampling. A total of 150 staff nurses were included as the research population. Results: As the study followed a descriptive cross-sectional approach, descriptive statistics were utilized. Frequency distribution was calculated, and data normality was assessed. The study reported that the participants with good knowledge were 55 (39.3%) and the participants with moderate knowledge were 50 (35.7%) and those with poor knowledge were 25 (25.0%). The participants with Good Practice were 78 (52.0%) and participants with Poor Practice were 72 (48.0%). Conclusion: The majority of nurses had excellent understanding and appropriate procedures about suctioning endotracheal tubes, according to the study's findings.

Prevalence and Severity of Malnutrition among Intensive Care Patients in a Government Tertiary Care Hospital in Swat

Salamat Shah — 2025-03-31

Malnutrition is a prevalent issue among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), significantly impacting morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of malnutrition among critically ill patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a government tertiary care hospital in Swat. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a government tertiary care hospital in Swat to assess the prevalence and severity of malnutrition among ICU patients. A sample of 80 ICU patients was selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique, and data were collected using the Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) Score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) Score. Results: The findings revealed that 71.3% of patients had multiple comorbidities, and 51.25% experienced severe organ dysfunction (SOFA score ≥8). Additionally, 37.5% of patients were at high nutritional risk (mNUTRIC score ≥5). Conclusions: The study demonstrated a significant association between malnutrition and adverse clinical outcomes, including prolonged ICU stays, increased severity of illness, and higher mortality risk. Comparisons with previous studies suggested that malnutrition prevalence among ICU patients in Swat is comparable to global trends. Addressing malnutrition through early identification and targeted nutritional interventions can improve patient recovery and reduce healthcare burdens. The study highlights the need for integrating standardized nutritional assessment protocols in ICU settings to enhance patient outcomes.

Health-Related Quality of Life among Nurses Working in Public Sector Hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Ihsanur Rahman — 2025-03-31

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a multidimensional concept that encompasses physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Numerous pressures are affecting nurses' physical and emotional well-being and everyday functioning, which in turn is harming their HRQL. Objectives: To assess HRQL among nurses and identify factors that may influence their quality of life. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 375 nurses from four public sector hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, selected through a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Data have been analyzed descriptively to calculate the frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22.0. Results: Most of the nurses (51.2%) were in the group age group of 26-30 years with nearly equal gender distribution. The environmental domain exhibited the highest mean Health-related quality of life score (27.23). Notably, a weak positive correlation was observed between age and the social domain (r=0.181**, p<0.001). Conversely, a weak negative correlation was noted between education and the social domain (r=-0.123, p=0.017). Significant differences were found in mean scores for the Age, Physical, and Environmental domains (p-values of 0.010 and 0.011). Conclusions: It was concluded that this study emphasized the importance of addressing physical and psychological challenges faced by nurses to enhance their overall well-being. Furthermore, the study highlighted the influence of demographic factors on nurses' HRQL, offering valuable insights for tailored healthcare interventions and support programs.

Communication Skills and Emotional Intelligence Among Nursing Students on Patient’s Outcome

Maryam Riaz — 2025-03-31

Effective communication in nursing involves verbal, nonverbal, and written exchanges, fostering trust, reducing anxiety, and improving outcomes. Emotional intelligence (EI) enhances nurses' ability to interpret cues, manage stress, and build therapeutic relationships. Objective: To see the effect of communication skills and EI among nursing students on patient outcomes. Methods: This correlational quantitative study was conducted at Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing. A total of 102 participants were included by using a convenient sampling technique. The study included 3rd and 4th-year Generic Nursing students and 4th-year General Nursing students, while 1st and 2nd-year Generic and General Nursing students and 3rd-year General Nursing students were excluded. Data were collected using the EI and Communication Skills Questionnaire to assess the relationship between EI and communication skills. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. The correlation of EI with communication skills was determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient. comparison, considering a p-value of ≤0.05 as statistically significant. Results: Among 102 participants, most (96.1%) were aged 20-25, with 62.7% female and 66.9% unmarried. Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that patients initiate conversations (67.6%, 24.5%) and that they understand and discuss disease severity effectively (58.8%, 20.6%). Additionally, 59.8% noted patient reluctance in answering queries. Higher EI is linked to improved communication skills. A strong positive correlation (r²=0.961, p<0.01) was found between EI and communication skills. Conclusions: Effective communication and EI enhance patient outcomes by fostering trust and understanding. A strong positive correlation was found between EI and communication skills, emphasizing the need for nursing students to develop these competencies.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Nurses Regarding Hypervigilance Medications; Across-Sectional Study in a Public Sector Tertiary Care Hospital Swat

Ihsanur Rahman — 2025-03-31

The usage of hypervigilance medications presents a considerable risk regarding patient safety and is fraught with medication blunders that is a problem around the world. In regard to preventing errors, nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding hyper vigilance drugs need to be precise. They also have significant responsibility in the dispensing of the prescriptions. Objective: To assess nurses' practices, attitudes, and knowledge of hyper vigilance drugs in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: This was a cross sectional quantitative study. We employed a practical sampling method and selected a total of 158 nurses and data was collected using self-modified questionnaires. Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and practices were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: With regard to hypervigilant drugs, 43.7 percent of respondents held positive views towards them. While the majority, 56.3 percent, held negative views which indicates general anxiety towards their use. Conclusions: The study highlighted the need for system level approach and targeted educational interventions to address the safety gap and to improve the overall attitude. The study recommended enforcing compulsory training programs, improving communication policies, and fostering the safety culture to ensure proper management of hypervigilant drugs and minimize errors.

Difficulties Encounter by Undergraduate Nursing Students in Clinical Settings

Ali Nawaz — 2025-03-31

Nursing students can utilize their theoretical knowledge to build a range of psychomotor and practical skills that are necessary for delivering high-quality care in the clinical context, as well as obtain practical experience via research projects. Nursing undergraduates have the chance to improve their psychological, psychosomatic, and psychomotor skills, all of which are essential for patient care in the clinical teaching and learning setting, despite its complexity and diversity. The focus and aim of nursing education is to develop insight and development of professional skills in individuals to work independently in clinical settings. One of the most crucial aspects influencing the learning process in clinical settings is the student’s lack of or limited exposure to the clinical learning environment. By finding the difficulties nursing students face in the clinical setting, the focus on clinical training and skill development should be emphasized more, along with the sound integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice.

The Growing Role of Business Models in Modern Nursing

Khurram Mehboob — 2025-03-31

Nursing practice has both challenging opportunities and positive prospects for change that business models provide. Nurses ought to strive for clinical excellence but also possess business intelligence skills tied to the measurement of value and operation models. Both aspects have so much influence in modern healthcare operations, therefore, healthcare institutions are now asking for nurses to have medical expertise as well as business-focused abilities, as such. Nurses now need to focus on economic frameworks of health care services rendering as opposed to attending to patients.

Capable leaders of these projects are nurses who can bridge the understanding of the clinical and business side of technology implementations. One form of value that is hard to obtain but extremely important for organizations to have is the ability of staff who do analyses, using both utilization data and patient satisfaction scores often with cost-effectiveness metrics as well.

First healthcare organizations considered electronic health records to be administrative hassles but later became powerful business intelligence platforms. Nurse leaders get ahead by using these systems to uncover care patterns to improve workflows and acquire resources that support factual data as opposed to subjective observations. Another essential region for the utilization of nursing practices and business strategies is mobile apps and remote monitoring devices as part of patient engagement technologies. Healthcare organizations determine the investments that improve the treatment success and operational stability by registered nurses, monitoring patient technologies from both clinical and financial perspectives.

This sign of nursing entrepreneurship reveals how closely the two sectors have merged. Business knowledge and practice combined with medical knowledge can be used by nurse leaders nurse practitioner’s consultants and nurse-owned businesses to achieve a new model of patient care. Nursing education must evolve accordingly. The leadership principles and technology evaluation along with the healthcare economics have been included in the current nursing education system. There exist additional healthcare strategies that strengthen these clinical abilities rather than reducing their importance, thus helping nurses to perform their duties as it should be done in a modern health service delivery.

Major advantages are derived by organizations that condone nurses as business partners rather than constitute them into cost-oriented assets. This is because they already have frontline insights which are active nurse participation in business decisions through their participation in strategic planning, technology assessment, and performance improvement work. Integration of business models in nursing practice is essential success in the complicated upcoming scenario of healthcare. The integration process does not result in 'corporatization' in nursing practice as this allows nurses to construct healthcare systems combined with financial sustainability and delivery of excellent care to patients.

Next-generation nurses should base the next level of practice frameworks on business understanding and medical expertise to provide quality care.