Smoking prevalence, attitudes, and confidence about tobacco roles among Australian nursing students
Raoul A Walsh1, Krystyna Cholowski, Flora Tzelepis
1Raoul A. Walsh, BA Dip Ed, PhD, Centre for Health Research and Psycho-oncology, The Cancer Council New South Wales/University of Newcastle, and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. Flora Tzelepis, PhD, BSc(Psych) (Hons), Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. Krystyna Cholowski, RN, PhD, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. Elizabeth Stojanovski, BMath (Hons), PhD, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. Correspondence related to content to: Raoul A. Walsh, Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
Abstract:
This study identified major challenges to be addressed before student nurses can achieve their full potential in providing effective and comprehensive smoking cessation interventions. Smoking behaviors were assessed among undergraduate nursing students. In addition, students' attitudes, confidence levels, and support for extra training in tobacco control were examined. A nonprobability sample of 381 students at an Australian university was surveyed. The consent rate was 81%. Prevalence of current smoking was 21%. In the regression analysis, age group was the only statistically significant predictor of smoking status. Over one third (36%) did not endorse the nonsmoking exemplar role of their future profession. Most (60%) did not support the concept of routine smoking cessation intervention. Students who were smokers had significantly higher tobacco control confidence levels than nonsmokers. Smoking-related variables did not differ between students in different years of the course. Improved tobacco control training is needed at undergraduate level.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:28Current Trends in Nursing I
01:30National Nursing Organizations II
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...
01:16Nurses' Legal Responsibilities III
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...