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A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Experiences and Preparedness of Nursing Students and Recent Nurse Graduates Delivering Cardiovascular Health
Andraea Van Hulst1, Rosa Elena Ponce-Alcala1, Anaële Cuerrier1
1Ingram School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Background:
Nurses often lack training and self-confidence to provide care for people living with intellectual disabilities. We explored experiences and levels of preparedness among junior nurses trained to deliver cardiovascular health promotion to Special Olympics athletes.
Methods:
A qualitative descriptive approach was used among junior nurses (n = 20) who participated in the delivery of a cardiovascular health promotion intervention, with semi-structured individual interviews or focus-group discussions and qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Nurses showed evidence of advanced beginner and competent levels of expertise in their approaches to Special Olympics athletes in relation to 5 themes linked to strengths-based nursing and health (SBNH) values: Endorsing person-centeredness; Fostering self-determination and empowerment; Building collaborative partnerships; Recognising interconnections between athletes and their surroundings; and Seizing learning opportunities.
Conclusions:
Junior nurses who participated in this cardiovascular health promotion initiative perceived the experience as educationally enriching, advocating for practical, real-life opportunities to better prepare them to deliver health promotion care for special-needs populations.
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