Factors determining cardiac nursesʹ intentions to continue using a smoking cessation protocol

Objective: Our objective was to facilitate the continued use of a smoking cessation protocol among cardiac nurses by assessing their intentions and motives for continuation. A model that combines attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy constructs as predictors of intentions (ASE model) served as the theoretical framework. Setting: The study took place in the cardiology wards of 5 hospitals. Respondents: Respondents were 85 nurses who worked in the cardiology wards of the hospitals. Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were nursesʹ intentions and motives for continuing to use a smoking cessation protocol for patients who smoke. Results: Greater perceived simplicity and advantages of the protocol were associated with increased intentions to continue, whereas perceived social influences and self-efficacy were not. The influence of the level of experience in using the protocol and the nursesʹ own smoking behavior was mediated by attitude about the smoking cessation protocol. Conclusions: Nurses who do not intend to continue using the protocol need to be convinced of the advantages of working with such a protocol and of its user-friendliness. (Heart Lung® 2002;31:15-24.)