The professional self-concept of new graduate nurses.

The purposes of this study were to: (1) describe the level of professional self-concept among new graduate nurses working in critical care and general medical surgical unit six months after completing a nursing program, (2) examine the professional self-concept in relation to age, marital status, and educational level of new graduate nurses, and (3) examine graduate nurses' perceptions of their nursing educational preparation for their clinical area. One hundred thirty two (n=132) new graduate nurses completed the professional self-concept nurses instrument (PSCNI) and answered two open ended questions focused on their educational preparation. Scores on the PSCNI ranged 58-106 with an overall mean of 83.

Husbands and wives living with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently is diagnosed in young adults. Coping with symptoms of MS is challenging not only for the person with the disease, but also for his or her spouse. The well spouse often assumes the caregiving role.

Focus groups: the lived experience of participants with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease affecting young adults. The presence of the sometimes-invisible symptoms (loss of vision, fatigue, incontinence) and the episodic nature and uncertainty of symptoms can create a constant sense of vigilance or support the use of denial. Indeed, family, friends, and even nursing support may be elusive, leaving one feeling lonely, frightened, and insecure.

Psychosocial adjustment of patients on home hemodialysis and their dialysis partners.

When hemodialysis (HD) became practical as an intervention for patients with end-stage renal disease, most were on home HD. The numbers of patients requiring dialysis are increasing as the resources for them are decreasing. Simultaneously, there is a move toward home health care.