hossein namdar areshtanab

 Due to the type and nature of hospitalized psychiatric patients, nurses encounter many ambiguous and complex clinical situations that require intuitive decision-making. The present study was conducted to determine the use of intuition and its barriers and facilitators among psychiatric nurses.

 This study adopts a descriptive cross-sectional design and employs 123 nurses using convenience sampling in 2022. Demographic characteristics, the use of intuition in clinical practice, and the barriers and facilitators of intuition in clinical practice questionnaires were used for data collection.

 The results of this study showed that the mean (SD) of intuitive decision-making among psychiatric nurses was 58 (13.07) out of a range from 25-125. The use of intuition had a statistically significant correlation with age and work experience in the psychiatry ward. The use of intuitive decision-making has a statistically significant difference in gender, work shift, and education level. The biggest barrier to the use of intuitive decision-making among psychiatric nurses was “The limitations of nursing role which restrict the use of intuition in the clinical setting”. The most common facilitator in the use of intuition among psychiatric nurses was “having experience and clinical knowledge leads to the use of intuition in patient care”.

 Given the low level of the use of intuition and the important role of intuitive decision-making in the quality of nursing care, nursing managers should provide some strategies for reducing the barriers to the use of intuition among nurses.

This study investigated the association between internalized stigma and hope, self‑esteem, self‑efficacy, and treatment adherence and explored the most influential and predictive factor of internalized stigma among patients with severe mental disorders.

This correlational descriptive study was conducted on 257 outpatients diagnosed with severe mental illness according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM‑V) diagnostic criteria. The participants were seeking treatment at outpatient and affiliated clinics of Razi Hospital, Iran, from October 2018 to May 2019. We used a convenient sampling design. Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale, Dispositional Hope Scale, Rosenberg’s Self‑Esteem Scale, General Self‑Efficacy Scale, and Drug Attitude Inventory were used to gather data. The data were analyzed using inferential statistics (Pearson correlation, coefficient logistic, and regression analyses) at a 0.05 significance level.

The mean (standard deviation) score of internalized stigma was 1.57 (0.49), and 58% of the participants reported moderate to high internalized stigma. A negative significant relationship was found between internalized stigma and hope (r </em>= −0.55, p </em>< 0.05), self‑esteem (r </em>= −0.66, p </em>< 0.05), and self‑efficacy (r </em>= −0.64, p </em>< 0.05). Treatment adherence was not found to be significantly associated with the internalized stigma. In the final regression model, self‑esteem and self‑efficacy significantly predicted internalized stigma.

Given the crucial role of self‑esteem and self‑efficacy in predicting internalized stigma, nurses should devote special attention to these factors and use strategies to improve individuals’ self‑esteem and self‑efficacy.

Nowadays, virtual social networks are among the most essential communication tools in the exchange of science, knowledge, and technology and are very popular among different peoples of the society, especially nursing students. They can also influence academic success. The present study was aimed to investigate the use of social networks among nursing students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

This study adopts a descriptive cross‑sectional design and employed 406 nursing students in 2018 by means of the convenience sampling method. For data collection, a researcher‑made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and social network usage was used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

The mean (SD) of social networking usage was 116.81 (17.20) out of the achievable score range of 38 to 190, where the highest and lowest scores were related to dimensions of content sharing (73.56%) and unconventional issues (51.00%), respectively. There was a significant statistical relationship between total score of social networking usage which included the variables of grade point average (r = ‑0.17, p </em>= 0.000), average daily study hours in non‑exam periods (r = ‑0.10 and p </em>< 0.04), family income (F2,375 = 6.28, p </em>< 0.001), number of siblings (F4,350 = 4.98, p </em>< 0.001), and academic semester (F6,376 = 2.12, p </em>< 0.05).

Given the high percentage of students enrolled and the aim of using these networks, proper planning for the management of cyberspace is necessary to take advantage of the benefits of social networks and reduce their disadvantages.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the oldest procedure among the early biological treatments introduced in psychiatry. However, the most debated and treatment-limiting adverse effect of ECT is amnesia. Therefore, due to the restriction of the use of drugs to manage amnesia in patients undergoing ECT, the present study investigated the effect of reflexology on amnesia.

In this randomized controlled trial, 68 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received foot reflexology with olive oil 20 minutes a day for 3 days, while the control group was given a gentle foot rub with olive oil 20 minutes a day for 3 days. The amnesia rate of all patients was measured by the Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test (GOAT) 30 minutes after the end of ECT. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5 and t-test, chi-squared test, and repeated measures ANOVA.

The results showed that reflexology significantly increased recalling scores in the intervention group compared to the control group. Foot reflexology seems to be effective in managing amnesia in patients after ECT.

Foot reflexology, as a relatively simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive technique with few side effects, can be used to manage amnesia in patients after ECT.

The purpose of family-centered care interventions is to enhance the abilities of family members in certain areas that overcome the barriers to health and well-being, The purpose of the present research was to determine the effect of education based on family-centered empowerment model on health-promoting behaviors and some serum metabolic indicators in elderly women.

In this stratified randomized controlled trial, 60 elderly women aged 60 years and older referring to elderly-friendly health centers in Tabriz-East Azerbaijan were divided randomly into intervention and control groups in 2019. Intervention group received a family-centered healthy lifestyle intervention once a week for 10 sessions and the control group received the routine care. The mean score of health-promoting behaviors using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II questionnaire, glycemia and serum lipid profile, liver and renal function, 25-hydroxy Vitamin D, and calcium serum levels were assessed before the intervention, 2 and 6 months after the intervention through SPSS/version 23 using independent t-test, ANCOVA, and repeated measure analysis.

The ANCOVA test showed a significant increase in total lifestyle score in the intervention compared to the control group, 2 (adjusted mean difference [aMD]: 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.6–21.8) and 6 months (aMD: 17.2; 95% CI: 7.7–26.7) after education. The score of the nutrition and health responsibility domains significantly increased two (P < 0.05) and 6 months (P < 0.001) after the intervention in the intervention group compared to control. In both groups, serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, urea, and creatinine showed a significant decrease, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and calcium levels showed a significant increase (P < 0.05).

A healthy lifestyle education based on family-centered empowerment model increased the total lifestyle score. So, it is recommended as an effective educational approach to improve the health of elderly.

Chronic schizophrenia is a long-term and severe mental disorder. Aerobic exercises can reduce the symptoms of mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia, through improving the patient's quality of life (QoL).

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on the QoL of male schizophrenics hospitalized at the Razi Psychiatric Center in Tabriz from 2015 to 2016.

In this randomized controlled trial, 68 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into groups of intervention (n = 34) and control (34). The intervention group has benefited from the aerobic exercise 24 sessions for 8 weeks, 12 hours in total. The control group simultaneously enjoyed the fresh air. The Schizophrenic Quality of Life Scale (SQLS) was completed before and after intervention in both groups. The data were analyzed in SPSS20 using the t-test and chi-squared test.

The mean age of participants was 37.82 ± 7.14 years. No significant differences were found between the demographic characteristics of the two groups. This study showed that no significant difference was found in the quality of life in both groups before intervention (P ≤ 0.37), but there was a significant difference after the intervention (P = 0.001). Aerobic exercises reduce patient's mental disorders and promote their QoL (P < 0.05).

Regular aerobic exercise can reduce the symptoms of male patients with schizophrenics, which in turn improves all dimensions of QoL

Happiness is a positive feeling that is vital and significant to maintain health. Nursesare working in difficult conditions which may heavily affect their level of happiness and ability toprovide care. Job burnout is a mental reaction against some persistent source of workplace stress. Thepurpose of this study was to identify happiness and its relationship with job burnout in nurses workingat Tabriz’s educational hospitals. This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 344 nurses working at Tabriz’s hospitalsin 2018. The subjects were selected by means of proportionate stratified random sampling. Data werecollected using three questionnaires (demographic information, job burnout with 22 items and threesubscales and Oxford happiness with 29 items) and analyzed in SPSS version16 using descriptive statistics.Statistical tests such as Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiplelinear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The age range of the participants was 23–57 years with a mean of 35.9±7.5. The mean score ofhappiness was 64.2±11.5, (score range 35 to 116), which suggests an average level of happiness amongthe nurses. There was a negative correlation between happiness and total job burnout (r=-0.29, p <0.001).This negative correlation remained significant (B=-0.15, p <0.001) even when nurses’ perception of ownhealth status (B=-5.24, P=0.01), history of illness (B=-4.47, P=0.04), job position (B=-6.61, P=0.001),and type of employment (B=3.56, P=0.03) as potential confounding factors were adjusted. Considering the reverse relationship between job burnout and happiness, it is suggestedthat managers try to improve the workplace by managing condition which could lead to job burnout,and therefore use the results to increase the happiness of nurs.

Literature indicates high levels of burden in primary caregivers of children with attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Identifying the related factors might help in planning the interventions to reduce it.

This study aimed to identify the caregiver burden and its related factors in Iranian mothers with children suffering from ADHD.

In this correlational study, 246 mothers with children and adolescents suffering from ADHD referred to psychiatric clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were included through a convenient sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic information form, Zarit Burden Interview, Swanson Nolan and Pelham Parent Rating Scale‑IV, and the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia‑present and lifetime version. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t‑test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis.

A majority of children (66%) were in the combined subtype. The mean of the disorder severity was 1.91 ± 0.79, 1.76 ± 0.70, and 1.81 ± 0.61 in impulsive, inattentive, and combined subtypes, respectively. The mean of mothers’ caregiver burden was 40.43 ± 1.38. A significant relationship was found between the mean severity of the disorder subtypes and caregiver burden. The correlation coefficient was 0.36, 0.29, and 0.29 for the impulsive, inattentive, and combined subtypes, respectively. The mother’s age, existence of ADHD in the child’s brother, family member’s cooperation in caregiving, and the child’s birth rank could significantly predict the caregiver burden.

Given the role of family‑relatedfactors in the burden of care in mothers of children with ADHD, family‑centered care and home visits are recommended to assist mothers of these children

The quality of care affects patients’ satisfaction. To provide high quality care, nurses face ethical challenges in daily practice. Moral sensitivity is the first phase in moral implementation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between nurses’ moral sensitivity and patients’ satisfaction in medical wards.

In descriptive correlational study 198 nurses and 198 patients in 17 medical wards filled out the "Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ)" and "Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ)", respectively. Nurses were sampled by the census method. For each nurse, a patient was selected randomly from the same ward. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver13.

The highest scores were in the dimensions of "Relational orientation" and "Following the rules", and the lowest scores were in the dimensions of "Autonomy" and "Experiencing moral conflicts". The highest level of patients’ satisfaction was with "nurses’ professional performance" 3.98 (1.09), and the lowest level was with "nurses’ routine work" 2.69 (1.22). There was no significant relationship between the mean of patient satisfaction and moral sensitivity of nurses.

Considering that nurses had a higher score in dimension of "Following the rules" and a lower score in dimension of "Autonomy", It seems ethical performance in the real situation is not merely due to the nurses’ moral sensitivity and It seems the complexity of the organization causes nurses face difficulties in making decisions related to clinical practice; therefore, policy makers in the health system should be able to identify barriers.

Smoking is one of the most common causes of mortality in the world. Emotional intelligence is the adapting ability to respond to the environment and people appropriately. It plays an important role in various aspects of life such as facing stressful situations and consequently, smoking. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nicotine dependency and emotional intelligence among male smokers. 

This study was conducted on 350 male smokers working at Urmia University of Medical Sciences. The study tools were Cyberia Shrink emotional intelligence questionnaire and Fagerstrom nicotine dependence test.  

The Mean±SD of nicotine dependency and emotional intelligence were 3.33±2.31 (ranged from 0-10), and 110.26±16.24 (ranged from 33-165), respectively. Overall, the results showed a significant reverse relationship between emotional intelligence and its dimensions with nicotine dependency. Individuals with higher emotional intelligence had a lower degree of nicotine dependency. 

Emotional intelligence acts as a guard against harmful behaviors such as smoking. Nicotine dependency can be reduced by teaching emotional intelligence skills.

Due to the characteristics of their work, nurses experience high levels of stress and burnout. Alexithymia (defined as the inability to identify and express emotions) and personality traits can be risk factors for burnout. However, there is limited information about the relationships of alexithymia and personality traits with job burnout among Iranian nurses.

This study examined the relationships between alexithymia, personality traits, job burnout, and shift work among hospital nurses in Iran.

This cross‑sectional study was conducted in 2017 on a random sample of 225 nurses recruited from 10 hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Data collection instruments were the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness Five‑Factor Inventory, and a demographic questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation analysis, independent‑samples t‑test, one‑way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis were used for data analysis.

The mean scores of alexithymia and burnout were 56.78 ± 8.64 and 49.78 ± 13.67, respectively, and these two variables were significantly correlated (r = 0.258; P < 0.001). Alexithymia also had significant relationships with gender (P = 0.035), employment status (P = 0.045), and personality trait (P < 0.01) but had no significant relationship with shift schedule (P > 0.05).

Nurses with higher levels of alexithymia are more at risk for burnout. As alexithymia has significant relationships with gender and employment status, interventions are needed, especially for women, to alleviate their alexithymia and burnout.

One of the important factors in determining success in life is emotional intelligence. It could be considered as a protective factor against health threatening behaviors, including smoking. Considering the effect of emotional intelligence on the health of people and the amount of smoking in smokers, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and general health in the male smokers.

In this descriptive-correlational study, 350 male smokers who were working in Uremia University of Medical Sciences were recruited, using convenience sampling. The instruments used in this study were demographic information questionnaires, Cyberia Shrink standard questionnaire, and 28-Question General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28).

The mean score (SD) of emotional intelligence and the mean score (SD) of general health were 110.26 (16.24) and 23. 60 (13.27), respectively. There was a significant negative relationship between emotional intelligence and general health scores.

Individuals with higher emotional intelligence scores had a better physical and mental health status. Therefore, teaching emotional intelligence can increase physical and mental health of the individuals through reducing risky behaviors.

Smoking is one of the most common causes of death around the world, and it influences the physical and mental health of people. The rate of choosing a healthy lifestyle in men is less than that of women and the health of men working in field of health plays an important role in providing health services to people. So, the current research was conducted to examine the relationship between nicotine dependence and general health among male smokers at Urmia University of Medical Sciences. 

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 350 male smoker employees at Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Subjects were selected using convenient and targeted sampling. Research questionnaires included a 28-Question general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Fagerstrom’s Test for nicotine dependence. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS-16 software.

The mean score for nicotine dependence and general health were 3.33 ± 2.31 (range of scores was from 0 to 10) and 23.60 ± 13.27 (range of scores from 0-84), respectively. In general, findings revealed a significant and direct correlation between general health scores and nicotine dependence.

Subjects with less nicotine dependence showed a better health status. Reducing nicotine dependence can help improve physical and mental health of subjects and it can also help reduce the likelihood of depression and anxiety disorders.

Parents play a vital role in the assessment and management of pain. There is limited knowledge about parental viewpoint or their participation in the pain management of the neonates admitted to the intensive care units. The present study aimed to assess the viewpoints of mothers about the pain management of neonates/ infants admitted to Tabriz hospitals.

It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 255 mothers whose infants had been admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) were recruited by convenience sampling method from September 2016 to August 2017. The required data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and PAIN questionnaire-Neonatal Intensive Care. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS.

The Mean±SD age of the mothers was 28.38±6.10 years, and the majority of them (39%) had diploma. Among the mothers, 73% believed that their infants had experienced pain during admission to NICU. However, only 19% of the mothers stated that nurses tried to find the signs of pain in their infants; the majority of mothers (80%) indicated that to some extent, they were satisfied with the information they received from the treatment team regarding pain control for their newborns.

Despite the prevalence of pain phenomenon in neonates, mothers’ education for the symptoms of pain in their infants was inadequate. It seems that the mothers’ participation in the pain management of their newborns makes them more capable of caring after discharge from the hospital. The study makes important findings available for future research.

Following any war, mental disorders are seen among the soldiers and their families. The post-war anxieties in these families are among these disorders. Race and culture have a crucial role in the level of stress. Culture can also affect the discernment of stress and its counter-measures in the assessment of the stressful events. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between stress and the individualism-collectivism culture among the caregivers of the veterans who are a member of the veteran’s family.   This study is descriptive and correlational. The target population comprises of the veterans’ caregivers in the city of Tabriz. With regard to Cochran’s formula, 360 caregivers who visited Fajr Clinic located in Tabriz were randomly selected from approximately 6000 veteran care-givers. To collect the data, the questionnaire of the demographic information record, Cohen and Williamson stress assessment questionnaire and Aukland individualism-collectivism cultural questionnaire have been used and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the regression statistical test. there is a significant relationship between both of the dimensions of the individualism and collectivism culture and stress within the youth age group (p< 0.05). The young individuals who have an individualistic culture have less stress and the young individuals who have a collectivistic culture have more stress. Within the adult age group, there is a direct and significant relationship between individualism and stress (p< 0.05) which means that the adult age group that has an individualistic culture experiences more stress while no relationship was found between a collectivistic culture and stress in the adult age group (P> 0.05). with regard to the findings of this study, the veterans’ caregivers between the age of 15 to 44 have a more individualistic culture whereas the caregivers between the age of 45 to 78 have a more collectivistic culture. This finding shows that if young caregivers give priority to individual beliefs and independence, they will experience less stress and the young individuals who are in charge of the group will have more stress. If adult caregivers are in charge of the group, they will arguably experience less stress.

Moral sensitivity has various dimensions including personal sentiments, scientific competency, and reasoning and decision making capabilities. To achieve this, some personal traits and educational preparedness are needed. The aim of this study was to determine nurses’ moral sensitivity and its relationship with demographic and professional characteristics in hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive, correlational study was conducted on 198 nurses working in the medical wards of hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Census sampling method was implemented. Data were collected through a demographic and professional characteristics form and the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ). The data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 13 using descriptive statistics, T test, Pearson correlation coefficient and ANOVA.
The mean score for nurses’ moral sensitivity was 4.84±0.48 (out of 7). The highest scores were related to the domains of “Interpersonal orientation” and “following the rules”. The lowest scores were related to the domains of “experiencing moral conflict” and “modifying autonomy”. There was a significant and inverse correlation between age and “modifying autonomy” (P=0.008, r=-0.193) and also between age and “following the rules” (P=0.034, r=-0.156). Moreover, there was a significant and inverse correlation between work experience and “following the rules” (P=0.009, r=-0.187).
Given that the nurses gained a low score in the domain of “modifying autonomy”, it is suggested that client centered care and patient’s autonomy be emphasized in developing nursing curriculum and in service training programs.

The need for hospitalization of a premature infant in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a risk for the mother-infant attachment and nursing support is essential for the family of such infants. Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of supportive-training intervention of fathers of premature infants on mother-infant attachment.
The present clinical trial was conducted in the NICU of 29 Bahman hospital, Tabriz. Sixty fathers of hospitalized premature infants were divided into intervention and control groups. Before the intervention, the mother-infant attachment was measured by the AVANT cheek list. The training intervention was applied to the parents of the intervention group for 2 days and the fathers were conducted to bedside of their infants to visit them and exchange ideas with their wives. The control group only received the routine cares in the unit and ultimately, the mother-infant attachment was re-measured in both groups.
No significant difference was observed in the attachment score before and after the intervention in the control group. The attachment score was significantly different in the intervention group (12.8 ± 4.55 vs 2.1 ± 3.90).
The supportive-training intervention for the fathers of the premature infants and facilitation of the relationship of the parents with each other led to increased mother-infant attachment rate.

Job burnout is common in caring professionals; and high levels of the same are registered in healthcare professionals, especially, nurses in intensive care units. The purpose of this study was to determine the burnout among nurses working in intensive care units affiliated to educational and therapeutic centers of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, which was undergone through a census sampling method in hospitals related to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (n = 80) in the year 2011. Data were collected by Maslach Job Wear Inventory (MBI). The data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software.
The mean of severity of depersonalization, emotional analysis and lack of individual success were 9.20 ± 5.25, 25.32 ± 12.57, 35 ± 8.27 respectively. In addition, age (r=-0.49) and work experience(r=-0.48) have a reverse linear relationship with the severity of the lack of individual success (p = 0.001).
The results of this study indicate that there is a high level of occupational burnout, especially in the aspect of individual inefficiency among nurses in special departments. Due to the high importance of these departments, more attention must be paid by the authorities to this workforce. Moreover, nurses should also be allowed to participate in organizational decision-making, which can prevent burnout and its complications to a high degree.

Several adjustment scales are available for Diabetes, but, unfortunately most of them focused on the limited dimensions of diabetes and are not specific for type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to develop a multidimensional scale for Diabetes type 2 Adjustment Assessment and to test preliminary validity, reliability and clinical utility of the scale for this population.
In this methodological design study, the Diabetes Adjustment Assessment Scale was developed and the psychometric properties of this scale was assessed in patients with Type 2 diabetes. This study included internal consistency, content validity and exploratory factor analysis.
1000 patients with type 2 diabetes completed the 45-item Diabetes Adjustment Scale. After eliminating two item, the 43-item measure demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α= 0.75). Factor analysis identified eight factors including; reshape (11 questions), seek to acceptance of illness (7 questions), normal life with the disease (6 questions), initial self-management (2 questions), comparing (4 questions), initial imaging of illness (4 questions), return to resources(3 questions), and advanced self- management (6 questions).
Considering that validity and reliability indexes of the scale are reported in an appropriate level, it can be used as a valid and reliable tool in measuring level of adjustment with type2 diabetes.

Healthcare-seeking behavior is one of the factors determining the uptake and outcome of healthcare. However, few studies have discussed how and why diabetics seek healthcare assistance before meeting a physician.

In this study, we explored the subjective experiences of healthcare-seeking behavior among Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Patients and

A qualitative approach was adopted using a conventional content analysis of semi-structured interviews carried out in the Diabetes Association in Tabriz (Iran) with 15 participants suffering from type 2 diabetes. Participants were recruited by the purposeful sampling method.

Five themes emerged from the study: 1) warning by physical signs; 2) personal processing; 3) self-remedy and its outcomes; 4) seeking information, and; 5) diagnosis and verification of information by healthcare staff.

Individual social context plays an important role in the decision-making process when seeking healthcare for diabetes. The results of this study can be utilized by healthcare providers to facilitate interventions to increase diabetics’ active involvement in their healthcare, and encourage a wider knowledge of its symptoms and outcomes to facilitate appropriate healthcare-seeking and service use.

Professional identity development is one of the main concerns of nursing education. This study aimed to evaluate effective educational components on nursing students’ professional identity using Eisner’s model of criticism and connoisseurship. Eisner’s Criticism and Connoisseurship Model were used for a qualitative evaluation of the nursing education system. This model includes four steps of descriptive, interpretative, evaluative and thematic evaluation. Data were collected by semi-structured interview and observation. Participants were 15 students and faculty members of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who were selected by purposive sampling. Data were analyzed by Eisner’s model. Four major themes included student admission, educational system defects, reality shock, and self-esteem. These themes that emerged from educational evaluation are effective in developing the professional identity of Iranian nursing students. It seems that changing the admission process, presenting the nursing discipline to students as much as possible, creating a more realistic education, making an exclusive body of knowledge, and following successful role models are helpful in students’ professional identity development.

Development of nursing profession is faced with new challenges. Role of education is important for advancement of nursing. Faculty members are experienced in education, and they are authentic sources for determining of the educational challenges in nursing. The aim of this study was to determine the educational challenges in nursing from the viewpoint of faculty members of nursing and midwifery in University of Mashhad. This study is a cross- sectional study conducted on 31 cases from faculty members of nursing in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences by using census method in 2010 2011. A combination of data collection methods was used for collection of data in two phases: preparation of assessment tool (questionnaire) and survey of the desired construct among the samples. After determining the validity and reliability, a questionnaire was given to the samples to answer. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 11.5 using statistical tests. The most important threats in nursing include “Separation of fields such as anesthesia and operating room from nursing” (%93.6), “Increasing gap between clinical practice and education of nursing due to the increase in education of students and instructors” (90.3), “Being Theoretical courses in master’s and PhD program” (%77.5), “Decreasing the students’ motivation” (%77.5) and “Establishing new schools of nursing” (%64.5). The most important opportunities in nursing include: “Need to informatics education in education of nursing” (93.5), “localizing resources based on new issue and problems” (%84), and “Paying attention to evidence- based education in nursing education” (%83.9) and “adjusting the educational content according to ideals and standards of nursing” (%80.6). Based on the results, Returning of anesthesia and operating room branches to nursing after bachelors’, “Revising of educational content based on needs and localizing resources”, “Using new methods in nursing instruction”, “continuing the training based on clinical experiences” and “Using applied research in clinical environment” are suggested.

Nursing and midwifery students are exposed to high stress as they face multiple stressors in their educational and clinical experiences. This can threaten their mental health، which in turn، can affect their function. Considering the impact of mental health on individual performance، this study examined mental health and its relationship with academic achievement in students of Tabriz nursing-midwifery faculty.

In one descriptive-analytical study، a sample of 251 Nursing and Midwifery students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences was selected. Data were gathered by mental health questionnaire (GHQ-28). The mean scores of final term were regarded as academic achievement of students. The data were analyzed by SPSS- 11. 5 using descriptive statistics (frequency، mean، and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (T-test، ANOVA and Pearson Correlation Coefficient).

Results showed that mean mental health scores of students participating in the study was 25. 7 ±11. 02. Findings showed that the highest mean was related to social function (11. 84±2. 9) and lowest to depression (3. 5±3. 83). Also a significantly negative correlation between scores of mental health and academic achievement was observed (P≤0/00، r=-0/229).

According to the results، there was a significant relationship between mental health and academic achievement in students. It is necessary to conduct further studies about mental problems of students and activation of consultation centers.