The aim of this study was to investigate significant differences in the mean scores for the Caring Behaviors Inventory between first-year and third-year nursing students. There were two sample groups: group A comprised 117 first-year nursing students and group B included 49 third-year nursing students (n = 166). All participants were from one Slovenian university. Data were collected by questionnaire and ana- lysed using SPSS v. 17.0. Independent sample t-tests were used for the comparison of means for each item in both groups. The results showed that the students in group B (third year) often agreed more significantly with Caring Behaviors Inventory items than the students in group A (first year). Principles of right action indicate how nurses must behave in order to provide good nursing care. Nursing educators can prepare students through demonstrations of their own behaviour in practice.

Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that the second-year nursing students have insufficient knowledge of CVC. In order to correctly and safely handle a CVC, good theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience are needed. The authors therefore believe that, in future, the classes should be organized in smaller groups with step-by-step demonstrations of individual procedures in handling a CVC, and the students encouraged to learn as actively as possible.

Our self-concept is how we see ourselves in our minds. The goal of this research was to discover any significant differences in the dimensions of self-concept between clinical nurses employed in an intensive care unit in Slovenia and Slovenian women from the general population, who represented the control group. The research included 603 women aged 20-40 years (mean 29.94; standard deviation +/-6.0) who had a high-school education. To determine the differences between the groups statistically we used one-way analysis of variance. The results revealed that clinical nurses had a more positive self-concept than members of the control group. Self-concept is very important in nursing because it is closely connected to the existing value system of individuals and their behaviour. Self-concept gives nurses a sense of how they use their abilities and how they perform in relation to patients.

Objective: Empowerment is an important construct because it offers the potential to positively influence outcomes that benefit individuals and organisations. The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of individual perceptions of empowerment among part-time nursing students in their workEmpowerment is defined as the motivational concept of self-efficacy (8), as well as being multifaceted and unable to be captured by the single concept (7). Empowerment is defined more broadly as increased intrinsic task motivation manifested in a set of four cognitions reflecting an individual´s orientation to his or her work role: meaning, competence (which is synonymous for self-efficacy), self-determination and impact. When nurses' values, beliefs and behaviours are congruent with the workplace requirements, there is meaning. Confidence in the ability to perform job requirements is competence. Feeling that one has the autonomy to have control over one's work is selfdetermination, and impact is when one feels that he or she is able to influence the organisation's outcomes (5, 9-10). Meaning is the value of the work goal or purpose, judged in relation to an individual´s own ideals or standards (11). Meaning involves the requirements of a work role matching beliefs, values and behaviours (12). Competence or self-efficacy is an individual's belief in his or her capability to perform activities with skill (13). Competence is analogous to agency beliefs, personal mastery, or effort-performance expectancy (13). This area is labelled competence because it focuses on efficacy that is specific to a work role. Where competence is a mastery of behaviour, selfdetermination is an individual's sense of having a choice in initiating and regulating actions. Self-determination reflects autonomy in the initiation and contribution of work behaviours and processes; examples include making decisions about work methods, pace and efforts (14). Impact is the degree that an individual can influence strategic, administrative or operating outcomes at work. Impact is the converse of learned helplessness (14). Furthermore, impact is different from locus of control; it is a global personality characteristic that endures across situations (14). These four cognitions reflect an active rather than a passive orientation to a work role. Active orientation means an orientation in which an individual wishes and feels able to shape his or her work role and context. Empowerment is not an enduring personality trait that is generalisable across situations, but rather a set of cognitions shaped by the work environment (11). Thus, empowerment reflects the flow of people's

Nursing students tend to use OTC medicines on their own accord, receiving instructions for safe use with their purchase, which points to adequate promotion of safe use of medications in Slovenia. Men's assessment of their personal health tends to be better than that of women, who also use medication more frequently. A connection between poor health and a higher incidence of the use of OTC medicines was established. The use of OTC medicines to treat minor mental health issues increased with age and was more typical of women. The results obtained demonstrate the importance of personal control over the safe use of medicines, motivation for personal good health and a healthy lifestyle.