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Summary of Capstone Research Project: Article for Allnurses.com February 27, 2014 Cinda French, RN, BSCS, BSN, MSN Abstract Problem. The problem of smoking cessation is complex and unique to each individual; nurse provided smoking cessation education and interventions play an important role in addressing this important health issue. It is worthwhile to determine if knowledge of tobacco unethical practices changes people's perception of smoking and smoking cessation, since a positive correlation indicates the value of incorporating education on the topic as an adjuvant tool in the smoking cessation 'toolkit'. Participants. A small, non-probability sample of practicing nurses and nursing students participated in an online survey via the established nurse website, allnurses.com. Methodologies. In this exploratory, quasi-experimental study, the participants answered pre-survey Likert data questions about their perceptions and beliefs regarding smoking cessation practices. Then they read a summary of recent research findings from the tobacco databases, and answered the Likert data post-survey questions. This study addressed the following research question: What is the impact of the new knowledge of tobacco industry practices on nurse perceptions of smoking and smoking cessation? Results. The Likert data was assigned numeric values and the results converted to agreement scores. The participants had a high level of agreement in both the pre-survey and post-survey. The pre-survey was the expected results and the post-survey was the observed results. Although there was an upward trend from the pre-survey to the post-survey, the Chi-Square calculation for the whole survey indicated that this was well within the accepted range and likely due to chance. Recommendations and Conclusions. If new knowledge of tobacco industry practices can assist some individuals in their pursuit of smoking cessation, then research of its use is important. It is also important to be aware of any difficulties that may arise from the use of this material. Further research should include small focus groups or educational group studies, which may be more productive than survey questions, especially those limited to Likert data type questions. The details of this study indicate utilizing this new knowledge may increase nurse motivation to provide smoking cessation. Further research should investigate if this phenomenon is present and, if it is, what the best practices for its inclusion would be. Discussion The acceptance of the null hypothesis for this study is based on the whole-survey Chi-Square calculation. (It is possible that the calculation does not accurately reflect the variety of the data of this study, since positive and negative Likert data answers tend to cancel each other out.) The small, non-probability participant sample is insufficient to draw conclusions that extend beyond this study. Research Question. The purpose of this exploratory, quasi-experimental study was to answer the research question: What is the impact of the new knowledge of tobacco industry practices on nurse perceptions of smoking and smoking cessation? The Chi-Square value calculated for the whole-survey indicated that the results were not significant, and that the null hypothesis should be accepted. (The sample size was too small to calculate Chi-Square values for individual questions.) Within this small sample, the impact of new knowledge of tobacco industry practices made some difference in some participant answers; and the nature of the changes in answers varied greatly. Some changes in answers indicated a slight increase in agreement with the survey questions of this study, and some changes in answers indicated a slight decrease in agreement. For some participants, the provided material changed their answer to the question about whether cigarettes have become more addictive, and for some it increased their motivation to provide smoking cessation to their patients. Other noted changes to answers included decreasing their agreement with: the importance of nurse support for smoke-free legislation, the belief that tobacco industry practices are not honest or appropriate, the belief that healthcare staff should tell patients the smoking cessation is the single best thing they can do for their health, and the importance of nurse provided information on the benefits of smoking cessation. Recommendations and Conclusions: Smoking cessation continues to be challenging and problematic; nurses who smoke have the potential for additional stressors and issues. If new knowledge of tobacco industry practices can assist some individuals in their pursuit of smoking cessation, then research of its use is important. It is also important to be aware of any difficulties that may arise from the use of this material. Further research should include small focus groups or educational group studies, which may be more productive than survey questions, especially those limited to Likert data type questions. The details of this study indicate utilizing this new knowledge may increase nurse motivation to provide smoking cessation. Further research should investigate if this phenomenon is present and, if it is, what the best practices for its inclusion would be.

I am a med-surg nurse (6 pts). I was surprised, but we give iv push metoprolol. Do you think this is safe? I raised the question and expressed my concerns: Managers and charges nurses etc all say it is ok. I worry about it dropping the bp too low and I monitor the bp closely. (or as closely as I can w. this pt load!)

Hello Guttercat, GrnTea, ellpark et al ... This is the most interesting and challenging discussion thread. I have posted my survey on the AN academic research thread: https://allnurses.com/academic-nursing-research/ It is the one labeled: "Calling all nurses - Smoking Cessation Survey" I will answer any posts you care to leave. I am very, very interested in hearing your feedback. Let me know what you think of my "garbage", "faux" research. I would like to participate in this discussion. I'm serious! I'm intelligent. I'm well educated and this is my first master's degree, my second bachelors degree. My first time to attend a online rather than ground university.

CALLING ALL NURSES - SMOKING CESSATION SURVEY: I am a graduate nursing student and I am doing research for my master's degree in nursing. There is new knowledge available from the current research of online tobacco industry databases. The purpose of my research is to determine if this new information changes nurses' perceptions of smoking and smoking cessation. If you are a practicing nurse, or nursing student, you are invited to participate in a brief online survey. All points of view are welcome; all nurses are welcome to participate. The purpose of the survey is to gather information about nurse perceptions and opinions on smoking and smoking cessation. This is completely anonymous and should not take more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete. The survey is quick and easy to use. If you would like to participate, click on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3TCTZ2V Easy to follow directions will be provided. (No identifying information will be recorded.) Thank you!