Terry Ferns

University of Greenwich · School of Health & Social Care

This article discusses the role of vital sign data collection in the acute setting when assessing patients at risk of or actually clinically deteriorating. Specifically, the article focuses on explaining the important concepts of mean arterial blood pressure and pulse pressure as indicators of clinical deterioration.

This is the second in a three part series on skills for academic writing. This article gives a brief guide to the principles of using evidence to support ideas in academic writing, how to undertake simple literature searches and how to reference this evidence. The hierarchy and ranges of evidence available to support discussions in work are discuss...

This paper is a report of a study exploring the reporting behaviours of nursing students who had experienced verbal abuse while gaining clinical experience. Under-reporting of incidents of verbal abuse has been identified internationally as a limitation leading to incomplete data collection when researching aggression in healthcare facilities. This...

This article considers national policy drivers promoting the development of advanced assessment skills and practical procedures for the safe and effective use of the stethoscope in the clinical area. The evidence base underpinning effective use of the stethoscope in clinical practice is explored, including the preparation of the patient and the env...

Violence in the emergency department (ED) is a global problem. In our first paper, we highlighted the potential psychological effects of alcohol intoxication, the literatures discussion of alcohol related violence in the emergency department and the importance of developing positive nurse/service user relationships. In this second paper, we discuss...

This paper is a report of a study to describe the nature, severity, frequency and sources of verbal abuse experienced by nursing students while gaining clinical experience. Verbal abuse of healthcare workers is currently receiving considerable attention and nursing students have been identified as a group vulnerable to experiencing workplace verbal...

Internationally, violence in the emergency department (ED) is of a constant concern to emergency practitioners. Frequently, both original research papers and anecdotal reports emphasise the phenomenon of alcohol related aggression in the ED. In this first paper, we highlight the literatures discussion of alcohol related violence in the emergency de...

Internationally literature emphasises concern regarding the phenomenon of violence and aggression within the emergency field. This paper emphasises the important role education and training may play in reducing the risk of staff being exposed to violent or aggressive experiences. Furthermore, the paper emphasises, explores and discusses well recogn...

This article discusses certain variables relating to the characteristics of people who assault nurses, including patients, relatives and friends. The author suggests that the nature of nurses' occupational roles and responsibilities puts them at risk in their work but that individual or organisational strategies can be developed to minimise this ri...

This article outlines the correct procedure for respiratory assessments using a stethoscope, how to use a stethoscope and how to interpret your findings.

Patients with critical illness or severe trauma may feel fear, anxiety and powerlessness, which can lead to aggressive behaviour. This article examines factors that contribute to patient aggression in acute care areas and identifies how these incidents can be minimised.

All healthcare professionals are at risk from violent and aggressive patients, however, it has been found that nurses are at particular risk. The actual incidence is difficult to determine because the definition of what constitutes a physical assault or a violent event is vague. This article considers how the terms violence, aggression and physical...

All healthcare professionals are at risk from violent and aggressive patients, however, it has been found that nurses are at particular risk. The actual incidence is difficult to determine because the definition of what constitutes a physical assault or a violent event is vague. This article considers how the terms violence, aggression and physical...

This article examines factors that contribute to nurses failing to report incidents of violence and aggression in the clinical area and it develops the information published in a previous article (Ferns and Chojnacka 2005). Broader social factors are considered, including gender, violence experienced by women, the status of the nursing profession a...

This paper examines issues involved in the debate regarding the role of research in nursing. The authors take the example of violence and aggression in the emergency field to discuss methodological, philosophical, professional, logistical, power differentials and leadership theory that influence and explain the process of conducting research surrou...

Conducting comprehensive respiratory assessments involves extensive data collection and analysis and requires skill and knowledge. Terry Ferns and Irena Chojnacka examine how to approach these assessments systematically and professionally.

Media sexual stereotyping of the nursing profession is a well-recognized phenomenon; however the sexual stereotyping of the image of the nurse by the sex/pornography industry is a much less publicized or discussed phenomenon within the nursing profession. This paper aims to examine the presentation of the sexual stereotyping of nurses by newspapers...

There is a perception that violence against staff practising in accident and emergency (A&E) departments is increasing [Fernandes, C.M.B., Bouthillette, F., Raboud, J.M., Bullock, L., Moore, C.F., Christenson, J.M., Grafstein, E., Rae, S., Ouellet, L., Gillrie, C., Way, M., 1999. Violence in the emergency department: a survey of health care workers...

Violence and aggression experienced by emergency nurses has been the focus of international concern. This paper examines the phenomena of violence experienced by emergency department nursing staff from an international perspective by reviewing original, published research studies. Methodological inconsistencies and concerns, a lack of comprehensive...

Violence and aggression continues to be a significant problem for staff practising in accident and emergency (A&E) areas. In recent years the number of articles examining factors related to violence and aggression in the A&E department have steadily increased, allowing for a more in-depth examination of data. This article considers the characterist...

Violence and aggression against nursing staff have been the subject of an ongoing campaign. However, incidents of violence continue to be under-reported. This article discusses factors leading to under-reporting of incidents and focuses on how nursing staffs' attitudes and responses to violence may contribute to the likelihood of reporting incident...

The Government has introduced tough measures in dealing with violence and aggression in the workplace. Employers have a duty to provide adequate safety measures and training to reduce risks and ensure, where possible, the health, safety and welfare of their employees. This article highlights the responsibilities of employers and the pressures in bo...

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition which nurses may encounter while practising in any sphere of nursing. This article reviews the management of adults presenting with severe anaphylaxis in a general hospital setting. It summarizes data obtained from studies on the incidence of anaphylaxis, explains their significance, and defin...

Violence in health-care settings is a common occurrence. This paper reports on a questionnaire survey to establish the incidence of such events in a critical-care environment. Nurses were asked how they had responded to a violent attack, whether they felt it was intentional and whether they had made a formal report. There are implications for train...

This literature review will examine the concept and feasibility of mechanical ventilation within the home environment, as opposed to hospitals or institutions, for clients requiring long-term ventilation. It will consider which clients can benefit from home ventilation programmes and the aims and drawbacks. The psychosocial and economic consequence...