Nursing students’ confidence in clinical competency and job readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic era

Purpose: This study explored nursing students’ experiences of attending clinical practicum courses in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic era, focusing on their confidence in clinical competency and job readiness.Methods: The data for this study were collected using online questionnaires that were uploaded to a free online survey website and distributed via a link to the survey to 334 nursing students attending four-year nursing colleges at four national universities. Data analysis was done with descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and ANOVA.Results: The participants were mostly female (83.2%) college seniors (78.1%). About 60% of the participants practiced between 40% to 100% of their clinical practicum hours in alternative ways. Almost a third of the participants reported that they were not ready for a job (30.2%). However, participants’ confidence in clinical competency and job readiness was not related to the rate of alternative practice, but rather to both achievement of educational outcomes and satisfaction in the nursing practicum.Conclusion: Due to COVID-19, it is evident that effective and efficient materials and ways of delivering clinical courses are constantly to be sought and developed. In particular, recently graduated nurses who experienced abrupt and considerable alterations in their clinical practicum courses due to COVID-19 are in need of attention while they strive to make clinical adaptations.

Obstetrics–Gynecology Educational Achievements in Iran (1979-2017): Trends, Consequences and Future Implications

Background: To study the current trends in Obstetrics–Gynecology (Ob-Gyn) education and workforce in Iran since 1979 and to discuss the consequences and implications. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted to describe the Ob-Gyn residency and fellowship growth and workforce profile in Iran (1979-2017).The first-hand data gathered from MOHME and Iran’s Medical Council. The Obstetrician-Gynecologist (Ob-Gyns) per 100000 populations’ ratio and the percentage changes calculated and the trends analyzed. Results: Between 1979 and 2017, the proportion of trained Ob-Gyns at national universities increased by 86.27%, the number of certified Ob-Gyns increased by 333% and, female Ob-Gyns increased by 1142%.The ratio of active gynecologists per 100,000 people was 5.0 in 1979 and 8.05 in 2017, represents an increase of 70%. Since 1979 the number of active gynecologists has increased by 278 and the number of active female gynecologists has increased by 996%. Since 1990 the maternal mortality per 100,000 live births decreased by 79.9% in Iran. However, since 1980 the Cesarean proportion increased by 203% in Iran. Conclusion: Ob-Gyn education has undergone remarkable growth. Ongoing research should focus on Ob-Gyn’s geographic distribution, and potential implications of female Ob-Gyns practice pattern and technologies on women’s health.

A Sociolinguistic Perspective of WhatsApp Statuses Used by Jordanians

The study aimed to examine the use level of the WhatsApp among Jordanians, and also to identify differences among Jordanians in WhatsApp status uses in light of their gender, age, marital status, and socioeconomic level. The population of the study included all students who are enrolled at the English department of Jadara and Irbid national Universities in Irbid, Jordan. The sample of the study consisted of (262) students whose ages are between 18-40 and were selected randomly. To achieve the aims of the study, a (23) item questionnaire was developed based on previous literature and used for data collection. The results showed that the level of using WhatsApp application among university students was high. The result showed that there are statistically significant differences at (a= 0.05) due to gender in favor of females, due to age in favor of the age group 18-21, and in Socioeconomic level in favor of more than 500. In light of results, the study recommend to work on motivating students for more use of this important application for academic purposes.

Revistas científicas de las universidades nacionales de la Región Cajamarca

RESUMEN Las universidades nacionales peruanas, en especial del interior del país, están dirigiendo sus esfuerzos en difundir los nuevos conocimientos mediante sus revistas científicas indexadas. Se planteó el objetivo general, análizar las revistas científicas de las universidades nacionales de la Región Cajamarca. Los objetivos específicos, identificar el cumplimiento de las características de la metodología Latindex, por parte de las revistas científicas y formular recomendaciones en la gestión de las mismas.Se ha empleando la metodología de Latindex, con sus 38 características de calidad del Catálogo 2.0. Resultados, las tres revistas científicas cumplen con más de 30 características de la metodología de Latindex. Conclusiones, las revistas científicas de la UNC y UNJ han logrado su indexación en Latindex, mientras que de la UNACH no tiene indexación alguna, por lo que su visibilidad es mínima. Se recomienda minimizar los índices de endogamia editorial y autoría de las revistas científicas de las universidades nacionales de la Región Cajamarca. Además, se debe indicar las políticas de acceso y reuso, detección de plagio, uso de estadísticas y políticas de preservación digital. ABSTRACT Peruvian national universities, especially in the interior of the country, are directing their efforts to disseminate new knowledge through their indexed scientific journals. The general objective was set, to analyze the scientific journals of the national universities of the Cajamarca Region. The specific objectives, to identify the fulfillment of the characteristics of the Latindex methodology, by the scientific journals and to formulate recommendations in their management. The Latindex methodology has been used, with its 38 quality characteristics of the Catalog 2.0. Results, the three scientific journals comply with more than 30 characteristics of the Latindex methodology. Conclusions, the scientific journals of the UNC and UNJ have achieved their indexation in Latindex, while the UNACH has no indexing whatsoever, so its visibility is minimal. It is recommended to minimize the rates of editorial inbreeding and authorship of the scientific journals of the national universities of the Cajamarca Region. In addition, access and reuse policies, plagiarism detection, use of statistics and digital preservation policies must be indicated.