Depression impacts 9.4% of the adult population in the United States, and it is known to impact work performance. Nurses with depression are not only likely to suffer themselves, but their illness may have an impact on their coworkers and potentially the quality of care they provide. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression in a random sample of hospital-employed nurses to determine individual and workplace characteristics that are associated with depression. A cross-sectional survey design of 1171 registered nurses was used. Measures included individual characteristics, workplace characteristics, work productivity, and depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire). Data analysis demonstrated a depressive symptom rate of 18%. The linear regression model accounted for 60.6% of the variation in the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scores. Body mass index, job satisfaction, number of health problems, mental well-being, and health-related productivity had significant relationships with depression (P < .05). Hospital-employed nurses have higher rates of depressive symptoms than national norms. Advanced practice nurses can assist with educating nurses on recognizing depression and confidential interventions, including the use of computerized cognitive-based therapy.

More attention must be paid to the health of the nursing workforce to positively influence the quality of patient care and patient safety and to control costs.

Hispanics show poorer self-management of type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic Whites. Although previous studies have reported socioeconomic and cultural barriers to diabetes self-management by Hispanics, little is known about perceived barriers to diabetes self-management from the perspectives of both Hispanics and their family members. Purpose The purpose of the study was to explore perceived barriers among Hispanic immigrants with diabetes and their family members. Methods A qualitative study using five focus groups was conducted. A total of 73 Hispanic immigrants with type 2 diabetes (n=36) and family members (n=37) were recruited in the southeastern United States for a family-based intervention study of diabetes-self management. Participants were asked to describe their perceptions of barriers to self-management. The five sessions were audiotaped and transcribed, translated from Spanish into English, and analyzed using standard content analysis. Demographics, hemoglobin A1C levels, blood pressure and BMI were obtained both for participants with diabetes and for their family members. Results Barriers to diabetes self-management themes identified by participants with diabetes were in three major themes categorize: suffering from diabetes, difficulties in managing the disease, and lack of resources/support. Two key themes emerged pertaining to family members: we can provide support and we lack knowledge. Conclusions Perceived barriers to diabetes self-management described by Hispanic immigrants with diabetes and family members indicate a lack of intervention strategies to meet their needs. Interventions should include culturally relevant resources, family support, and diabetes self-management skills education.

Background: Focus groups were conducted in a mid-sized community to explore community members’ awareness and perceptions of genomic medicine and identify effective methods to educate the public about this topic. Methods: Thirteen focus groups were conducted with a demographically representative pool of 121 participants using a semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts were analyzed through a computer assisted approach with Atlas TI consisting of coding, categorizing, comparing, and contrasting relevant data. Results: Identified categories were organized into 6 main themes, which were similar across the groups and included: a lack of awareness, perceived benefits, concerns about genomic medicine, reasons for poor health related behavior, the potential impact of genetic information on health behavior, and the best ways to educate the community. Common concerns included lack of affordability, unanticipated physical harm, mistrust of the government and researchers, downstream effects like overpopulation, playing God/disturbing the natural order, lack of regulations, loss of privacy, genetic discrimination, and moral dilemmas posed by genetic engineering, cloning, choosing traits, and abortions resulting from genetic information. Participants also discussed ways to educate the community. Conclusions: While individuals recognized that diseases run in families, personal experience was a driving factor in participants’ level of knowledge. Many expressed optimism about genomic medicine. However, the lack of depth in responses and their misconceptions reflect a deficiency of knowledge, which along with their personal, moral, and global concerns could impede acceptance and utilization of genomic medicine. Many community members are receptive to learning more about genomic medicine, and many of their concerns and misconceptions can be addressed through a well designed education strategy.

While the mentally ill are considered to be vulnerable as a group, those who are mentally ill and reside in rural communities are at a greater disadvantage due to limited access to health care, a scarcity of resources, and traditional cultural belief systems. Social support has been found to have a direct effect on the well-being of families and individuals. Specific strategies are presented which will assist rural health nurses in providing the support systems necessary to help rural residents in managing and coping with stress and mental health problems.

The nursing workforce is aging more rapidly than the workforce as a whole, and fewer young people are entering the profession. It is imperative that older nurses be retained, not only for their experience and expertise, but also to prevent worsening an already critical nursing shortage. A descriptive survey design was used to determine the knowledge base and plans for the aging RN workforce by North Carolina hospitals and nursing homes. Nurses over age 55 made up 14.1% of the respondents' RN staff. Most administrators are aware of the aging workforce and wish to retain older nurses. Unfortunately, 94% of facilities have no policies in place to address the needs of older nurses, and 87% admitted to having no immediate plans to do so. Specific recommendations are made to assist nurse managers in retaining the older RN.

Nurse managers must determine if their older nurses are being given more difficult, complex patients because of their experience. Perhaps older nurses, especially those with health problems, need assignments that require their assessment and critical thinking skills rather than their strength and physical abilities.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of insulin among a sample of Hispanic immigrants with type 2 diabetes and their family members/significant others. Methods Forty-three Hispanics with type 2 diabetes and their family members/significant others were recruited in the southeastern United States for a family-based intervention study on diabetes-self management. Focus groups were conducted in which participants with diabetes and family members were asked to describe their perceptions of insulin. The sessions were audiotaped and transcribed, translated from Spanish into English and analyzed using standard content analysis. This paper reports the findings, as well as demographic information and hemoglobin A1C levels of participants. Results The meaning of insulin was described by both Hispanic immigrants with type 2 diabetes and their family members/significant others. Participants’ perceptions were categorized into three major themes: (1) negative perceptions of insulin therapy, (2) perceived barriers to insulin therapy, and (3) positive experiences with insulin emerged from qualitative data. Conclusions The Hispanic immigrants with diabetes and their family members/significant others in this study described perceptions and fears of insulin indicating a lack of understanding of the diabetes disease process and the progressive nature of diabetes. Strategies and further research are necessary to dispel negative perceptions and facilitate positive experiences with insulin for patients, and family members/significant others.