Objective. Nurse competence became a relevant topic for discussion among nurse practitioners and nurse researchers. However, the factors connected with nurse competence need deeper exploring. The aim of this study was to explore nurse competence and factors associated with it from the perspective of nurses for predicting the possible ways for upgrading the nursing practice. Materials and Methods. A multicenter, descriptive study was performed in 11 surgical wards of 7 Lithuanian hospitals. Data were collected from November 2007 to January 2008. Lithuanian nurses (n=218) who were working with patients after abdominal surgery participated in this study. The response rate was 91%. Two instruments, both originally developed in Finland, were used: the Nurse Competence Scale and the Good Nursing Care Scale for Nurses. Results. The overall level of nurse competence and the frequency of using the competencies in practice as perceived by nurses were high. Nurses assessed the competencies in managing situations and work role the highest and in teaching-coaching and ensuring quality the lowest. Sociodemographic factors such as nurse education, experience, professional development, independence, and work satisfaction as well as the evaluation of quality of nursing care were identified as factors associated with nurse competence. Conclusions. The findings of study allow us to make the assumption that nurse education, nurse experience, and nurse professional development play a significant role in the evaluation of nurse competence as well as the evaluation of quality of nursing care. It is necessary to upgrade nursing education programs at all levels of nursing education in Lithuania: university, non-university, and professional development courses. The qualities of preconditions for nursing care, cooperation with relatives, caring and supporting initiative are related to nurse competence.

German nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes to HIV and AIDS: two decades after the first AIDS case This study describes German nursing students' (n=180) knowledge and attitudes relating to HIV/AIDS, their homophobia level, willingness to care for people with AIDS, and their approach to possible sexual risk behaviours. A questionnaire was used to collect the data (response rate 97.8%). The results indicated that the nursing students had a rather high knowledge level concerning AIDS. However, there were gaps of knowledge, such as regarding AIDS immunopathology or the symptoms of the disease. Single nursing students and those having cared for a person with AIDS had a more thorough knowledge about the disease. In general, the attitudes towards AIDS and people with AIDS were tolerant and positive, and homophobia was only found with a small minority. Students having positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS had less homophobia compared to those having negative attitudes towards persons suffering from AIDS. Those with positive attitudes were more willing to care for patients with HIV/AIDS, while those with a high homophobia level were less willing to do so. In addition, students having a high AIDS knowledge level tended less towards negative attitudes and homophobia than those with a low level of knowledge. The implications of the research for nursing education will be discussed.

In nursing practice the abstract concept of nursing advocacy finds expression in voicing responsiveness, which integrates an acknowledged professional responsibility for and active involvement in supporting patients' needs and wishes.