The association of spiritual well-being and depression among patients receiving hemodialysis

       

               Mutaz Foad Alradaydeh

Health Care Department, The University of Jordan

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between spiritual well-being (meaning/peace, and faith) and depression among Jordanian patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive correlation design was used to carry out on a nationally representative convenience sample of 158 patients receiving hemodialysis at five different hospitals in Jordan. Results: The mean total score of the depression was 17.8 of the 40. While the mean total score of the spiritual well-being was 36.9 of the 48. The Pearson's correlation coefficient test showed a significant negative correlation between spiritual well-being and depression (r = -.64, p < .005). Conclusion: Healthcare providers should consider spiritual well-being in their assessment and interventions by helping the patients to establish meaning, peace, and faith to reduce patients' depression.

The elderly and life’s channels: The threads of life

           Dr. Elma Jazz Macrohon

AssociateProfessor at Mekelle University

                      Philippines

This study was undertaken with the aim to validate the assumption in JEM’s Theory on Intergenerational Visits to the Elderly, which states that Intergenerational visits promote socialization, that spirals into family solidarity, quality time shared; that affords the elderly parents more meanings, purposes, significance in their lives, the feeling of successfully aging, and make family relationship tighter every time it happens. It is also to come up with narrative materials from the experiences of the informant-elderly during intergenerational visits, together with children, grandchildren, friends, and relatives, before, during, and after the visitation. The method used is the narrative inquiry. Interview schedules were used both in Filipino and English.  There were recorded interviews and later transcriptions of them, then a story was woven entitled: “The Elderly and Life’s Channels: The Threads of Life”.  There were six parents interviewed equally to six families.  The characters in the narrations are representatives from these families.  Findings proved that “intergenerational visits to the elderly”, is a key factor to improve the social relationship between children and parents and between and among parents and children.  Other findings were on the smooth and rough (conflicts) events in the family, but the latter mended by the faithful observance of intergenerational visits, which serve as the knot that binds family members together because the former promotes socialization. It is recommended that Intergenerational visits be included in the yearly activities for the elderly people or the senior citizens, by their respective family members, often or even far in-between.

Time Management Tips for Busy Nurses

Nursing is a demanding job and it can often feel as though there are not enough hours in the day to complete all your tasks. Unlike other jobs, priorities can change rapidly. When a patient is in urgent need of your attention, your to-do list can change rapidly. The hectic pace of the job is one of the reasons that many nurses get burned out and stressed out. Using these time management tips for nurses is one way to make your life a little easier, as well as getting more done.

1. Plan your day out in advance

Many nurses say that while planning is a good idea, their days are too unpredictable to plan. It is difficult to plan your day because your environment can change rapidly, and much of your day is spent responding to the needs of patients. However, nurses who do plan their day and the tasks they must accomplish will find that they get more done with less stress. Make a list of everything you must get done today. Then, make a note of how long it will take and rank the jobs in order of importance. Start looking at tasks and seeing when you will have time in your day to get one or two items done. When you have a few minutes, complete a task that you can get done in that time. You will also feel better knowing that you are not forgetting anything.

2. Focus on the most important activities first

When you make the list, focus on the items with the highest priority. Remember, you may not be able to get everything done. But by completing the most important tasks, you will be less stressed. Also keep in mind that if nothing is going on right now, you should be working on one of your tasks. Due to the unpredictable nature of your nursing job, you can’t be sure that you will have time later. As you complete tasks, check them off on your list. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and make your stress levels drop.

3. Don’t let interruptions disrupt your day

Nurses must deal with many interruptions, many of which can’t be helped. However, there are many interruptions that are not so important. Interruptions like long non-work-related chats with other staff members, checking non-work email, or other non-essential tasks can get you off track quickly. Make time to relax, visit, and do things to lower your stress. But don’t let those things become more important than your work.

4. Keep yourself and your workspace organized

Being organized saves time. If you have a desk, spend a few minutes at the end of the day to put papers where they belong so that you can find them when you need them. At the beginning of the day, make sure all equipment is clean and ready for use. This will lower your stress level and make your day easier.

5. Learn to delegate tasks

Remember that you can’t do it all, nor should you have to. Remember the five rights of delegation in nursing; right orders, right instructions, right skills, right tools, and the right time frame.