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Background: Clinical learning environments are defined as an interactive network of forces within the clinical context that influence students' learning outcomes. Nursing students' satisfaction could be strictly related to their learning outcomes. Aim. To analyze the first year nursing students' clinical learning experience and to identify the main determinants of students' satisfaction., Methods: The observational study was carried out in five Italian nursing degree courses. 420 students filled out the validated Italian version of the "Clinical Learning Environment and Supervision plus Nurse Teacher (CLES+T) scale" after the conclusion of their first clinical placement., Results: The mean values of the main sub-dimensions of CLES+T varied from 4.02 (pedagogical atmosphere) to 3.30 (supervisory relationship). Students were mainly satisfied with their clinical placement, however the findings showed statistical significantly differences among the five nursing courses., Discussion: The main determinants of the overall students' satisfaction are the nurse manager's leadership style and the integration between theoretical knowledge and everyday practice of nursing through the relationship among students, clinical tutors and nurse teacher., Conclusion: Our results may contribute to better understand nursing students' perception of their first clinical placement. However, further research are needed to evaluate which organizational factors and clinical training models may enhance the clinical learning experience.

The factors associated with exclusive breast-feeding in a Naples health district were studied in October 2008 in the period between the first and second vaccinations (neonates aged between 60 and 120 days) . Questions regarded both the mother and the child and the answers were collected in a database and compared with other methods of nutrition or mixed methods. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression. Results showed that only 38.5% of the mothers interviewed practiced breast-feeding alone while 20% did mixed feeding and 41.5% preferred artificial feeding. The variables negatively related to breast-feeding were: breast problems, older-aged mothers, Cesarean section, first experience of breast-feeding, lack of rooming-in and/or prenatal preparative courses. Positively associated variables were: higher level of education of the mother, higher level of information regarding the advantages of breast-feeding. The conclusions of this study confirm those of previous studies regarding the relationship between exclusive breast-feeding and biological and social factors.

The authors describe how the definition of work-load in nursing is susceptible to many variables such as the number of patients cared for and their specific needs, the mix of skills required and the activities performed by nurses not strictly pertinent to care. These features make it difficult to create a global method for allocation of nursing resources . The authors have reviewed the literature from 2000 to 2009 in an attempt to identify the relationships between the concepts at the basis of the definition of work-load in nursing. The concepts of complexity and intensity of care are analyzed together with the various systems used for allocation of resources in different countries. Their results show that work-load is an important element of nursing organization and can influence the outcome of care.

In Italy there is an ever-increasing presence of unlicensed assistive personnel in ever y healthcare institution. The aim of the present study was to evaluate nurse contribution about unlicensed assistive personnel education, on this content there is a lack of investigation in Italy. The last outcome was to know the student's satisfaction level at the end of their education program, regarding the organization of their academic curricula and nurses teaching skills. A descriptive study was carried out in two healthcare teaching centres of Ravenna county, Italy. The study evaluated the lesson teaching methods, laboratory experience and clinical training. The sample was 85 students at the end of their course and a questionnaire of two sections and 26 items was given them with a total adhesion to the study. The results demonstrate that many students (28%) did not know their future role and relationship with nurses so someone showed discomfort and disappointment (6%). Eleven students (13.1%) declared having difficult relationship with nurses, especially during their training in settings where chef nurse is highly criticised and a clinical tutor is nearly always absent. Nonetheless, students were globally satisfied with their program, results suggest improvements in teaching methods organization especially during clinical training to better understand role and support provided by nurses.

Blood-transmitted infections such as viral hepatitis B, or human immunodeficiency virus , are a real danger to health workers. Student nurses are also exposed to biological risks during their clinical training. This study was carried out to assess the incidence and nature of such risks in student nurses in Italy, evaluating all the cases of biological exposure in the G. D'Annunzio University Hospital of Chieti from 2002 to 2006. Student nurses were monitored for 6 months after exposure. A total number of 2047 students was observed; 665 first -year (32.49%), 691 second-year (33.76%) and 691 third-year (33.76%). During training a total of 135 (6.6%) instances of biological exposure occurred, average age 24.94 (R.19-45; SD 5.52), 99 females (73.3%). Although there was a lower incidence in third-year students (-27%), most of them occurred in the Medical Department (86 =63.7%). Needle pricks were the primary cause of exposure while the tabs used for measuring blood-sugar levels also represented a high risk. Although risks were lower in last-year students, it is clear that more attention should be paid to prevention , increasing awareness of infection control and monitoring biological exposure throughout the entire training period.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used in clinical practice; catheter related infection is the most important cause of sepsis in surgical patients . In the present study, we compared the effect of two different dressings in CVCs related infections and evaluated microorganisms involved. We studied 124 CVCs inserted patients. CVC was inserted under strict aseptic technique according to guidelines via percutaneous puncture of internal jugular or femoral vein. CVC dressing was made with gauze/tape in 60 patients (group A) and with polyurethane film in 64 patients (group B). Duration of catheterization was 5,27 SD 1,76 days in group A and 11,30 SD 5,84 days in group B. Statistical analysis showed a significant lower infection rate in tape/gauze dressings while polyurethane film dressings seemed to predispose to infections. For the statistic analysis we have used z statistic test and the contingency analysis charts.