Search Results (435)

Background: The European Doctoral Conference in Nursing Science provides a unique platform for doctoral students in nursing and health sciences to present their research in a supportive environment. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the 2024 conference embraced the motto “looking back and looking forward,” offering an opportunity to reflect on the development of nursing science and future challenges. Results: Held at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, the conference hosted 90 participants from 13 countries. It featured two keynote lectures, three workshops, 48 presentations, and a science slam. Abstract submissions underwent peer review to ensure the quality of presentations. The presentations highlighted key challenges and opportunities across nursing practice, healthcare work environments, education and digitalization in nursing, and health perspectives. Topics included, for example, workforce retention, artificial intelligence in nursing practice, leadership in error management, and culturally sensitive care. The keynotes emphasized the importance of patient and public involvement in research and the benefits of survey data in nursing science. Workshops imparted knowledge and skills regarding funding acquisition, guideline development, and effective research presentation. A science slam introduced innovative and creative ways to present research. Conclusions: The conference showcased the evolving landscape of nursing science, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practice, supportive working conditions, and constructive collaboration. It demonstrated the enthusiasm and readiness of a new generation of researchers to advance nursing science in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Full article

Background: The Nursing Work Environment (NWE) plays a critical role in determining the quality of care, staff well-being, and organizational performance, particularly in oncology settings. Despite increasing attention, a comprehensive synthesis of organizational factors shaping oncology NWEs has been lacking. This scoping review aimed to describe the key features of oncology NWEs and to explore the outcomes associated with these characteristics. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies published in English or Italian were included without time restrictions. Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus between January and April 2025. Results: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Key organizational characteristics of oncology NWEs were grouped into the following four domains: leadership and organizational support; workload and resource availability; ethical climate and collegial relationships; and physical and structural conditions of care settings. Across the studies, a positive NWE was frequently reported to be associated with improved nurse-related outcomes and, to a lesser extent, with patient-related outcomes. However, these associations should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneity of contexts and the predominance of cross-sectional designs. Conclusions: The NWE is a strategic element in delivering effective, safe, and sustainable oncology care. Practical actions for nurse managers and healthcare leaders include implementing leadership training programs, ensuring adequate staffing and resource allocation, fostering open communication, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. These measures are essential to protect staff well-being and guarantee high-quality, patient-centered care. Full article

Virtual Reality (VR) simulations provide immersive, realistic educational experiences that are increasingly used to enhance teaching and learning in nursing and medicine; however, use in dietetics lags. To fill this gap, four Nutrition Counselor VR simulations were developed collaboratively with the goal of building confidence in dietetic students’ nutrition counseling skills. After formative testing, pilot testing, and refinements, simulations were field tested with 34 dietetic students (91% women; age 25.67 ± 3.79 SD years; 68% White) from four supervised practice programs using a standard protocol administered by trained researchers (N = 5). Students completed a pre-survey, one VR simulation (≥2 times w/varying outcomes), and a post-survey. Online pre- and post-surveys examined changes in nutrition counseling skills, knowledge and self-efficacy, and comfort in using nutrition counseling skills. Paired t-tests revealed significant (p < 0.05) mean differences in nutrition counseling skill self-efficacy (medium effect size, d = 0.46) and comfort in using nutrition counseling skills (large effect size, d = 0.96) between the pre- and post-survey. At post-survey, >75% agreed the simulations helped build their nutrition assessment skills (79%) and counseling skills (88%) and prepared them to work with real patients (97%). Findings suggest the Nutrition Counselor VR simulations provided a realistic and safe learning environment that may be a valuable learning tool for dietetic students. Full article

Background: Sense of coherence constitutes a significant personal resource that underpins the harmonious professional functioning of nurses employed in psychiatric inpatient wards. It serves as a protective factor, enabling effective coping with the psychophysical burden arising from a demanding and stress-inducing work environment, while also supporting the maintenance of a high level of job satisfaction. Regular assessment of the sense of coherence among psychiatric nursing staff is essential for the early identification of individuals at risk of developing occupational burnout. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the level of sense of coherence and the degree of occupational burnout among nurses working in inpatient psychiatric units. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design and utilized standardized psychometric instruments, including The Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SOC-29) to assess the level of coherence, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure occupational burnout. Additionally, a self-developed questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data. The research was conducted in five psychiatric hospitals in Poland between January and June 2023. The sample consisted of 555 nurses (449 women and 106 men) employed in inpatient psychiatric wards. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients to examine relationships between variables, and multiple linear regression to identify predictors of burnout dimensions. Significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean global sense of coherence score among psychiatric nurses was 124.68 (SD = 45.81), with manageability scoring highest among subscales (43.83, SD = 16.28). Average occupational burnout scores were emotional exhaustion 28.75 (SD = 16.39), depersonalization 13.55 (SD = 9.71), and reduced personal accomplishment 23.61 (SD = 11.11). Significant negative correlations were found between sense of coherence (and its components) and all burnout dimensions (p < 0.001). Manageability was the strongest predictor of lower emotional exhaustion (β = −0.73), depersonalization (β = −0.65), and reduced personal accomplishment (β = −0.65), while meaningfulness predicted depersonalization (β = 0.37, p = 0.012). These results indicate that higher sense of coherence, especially manageability, is linked to reduced burnout among psychiatric nurses. Conclusions: The study revealed significant negative associations between sense of coherence and all dimensions of occupational burnout, with manageability emerging as the strongest protective factor. Nurses with higher levels of sense of coherence reported lower emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating sense of coherence assessment into strategies for identifying individuals at increased risk of burnout. Full article

Introduction: The mental health of nursing professionals is an escalating global concern, particularly due to the inherently challenging work conditions they frequently encounter. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Minor Mental Disorders (MMD) and resilience levels among nursing professionals, analyzing the relationship between these constructs and identifying resilience’s potential protective role. Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 203 nursing professionals (including nursing assistants, technicians, and nurses) from two healthcare institutions in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected between August and October 2019. Instruments utilized included a sociodemographic and professional questionnaire, the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) for MMD screening, and the Wagnild & Young Resilience Scale. Results: The overall prevalence of MMD in the studied sample was 31.0%. Mean scores for the SRQ-20 domains were observed as follows: Depressive/Anxious Mood (1.33), Somatic Symptoms (1.63), Reduced Vital Energy (1.77), and Depressive Thoughts (0.39). A key finding indicated that resilience did not demonstrate a significant direct predictive role on MMDs when the effect of quality of life was controlled. However, resilience showed a significant positive correlation with Quality of Life (QoL) (coef. = 0.515; p < 0.001). Furthermore, QoL emerged as a robust and statistically significant negative association with all dimensions of MMD. Discussion: These findings suggest that resilience may function as an indirect moderator or precursor to QoL, with QoL, in turn, exerting a more direct and substantial influence on the reduction of MMDs. This integrated perspective aligns with the understanding that resilience contributes to a more adaptive assessment of stressors and, consequently, to better QoL, thereby minimizing the detrimental effects of stress on mental health. Conclusion: This study reaffirms the high prevalence of Minor Mental Disorders among nursing professionals, highlighting Quality of Life as a primary target for interventions aimed at promoting mental well-being. It also emphasizes resilience as a valuable individual resource that indirectly supports mental health by enhancing QoL. A holistic understanding of occupational stressors, psychosocial, and biological mechanisms is crucial for developing effective and targeted support strategies for these essential professionals. Full article

Objectives: To theorize the work-related dimension involved in the process of reconciling work and personal roles among nurses working in Intensive Care Units. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory was employed to conceptualize the phenomenon of interest from the perspectives of nurses, their families, and administrative staff. Data were derived from 202 h of non-participant observation in two high-complexity hospitals in Chile (one public and one private), 57 institutional documents, and 51 in-depth interviews. Data analysis followed the constant comparative method and multilevel coding. To ensure methodological rigor, the study adhered to the 13 criteria for constructivist grounded theory research proposed by Charmaz and Thornberg and was approved by a scientific ethics committee. Results: Work-related roles are defined as the set of behaviors associated with the professional context, which are shaped by nine sources of interaction: (1) Job content; (2) Workload and pace; (3) Work schedule; (4) Control; (5) Environment and equipment; (6) Organizational culture; (7) Interpersonal relationships; (8) Function within the organization; and (9) Career development. Conclusions: The study presents the theorization process of the work-related dimension involved in the reconciliation of work and personal roles among nurses in Intensive Care Units. Work-related roles are essential to understanding this reconciliation process. The findings provide evidence for the existence of nine sources of interaction, which are influenced by institutional strategic planning and, in turn, by national and international public policies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cultural diversity in healthcare settings is rapidly increasing, posing complex ethical and communication challenges for nurses. Competence in navigating cultural differences, alongside ethical sensitivity, is essential to delivering patient-centered care. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nurses’ cultural competence—measured as transcultural self-efficacy—and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning healthcare ethics in primary care settings in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 492 nurses using validated Greek versions of the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool (TSET–Gr) and the Nurses’ Ethics Questionnaire (NEQ–Gr). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess correlations and predictive relationships between demographic variables, cultural self-efficacy subscales, and ethical constructs. Results: Nurses demonstrated moderate to high levels of cultural self-efficacy and ethical sensitivity. Affective self-efficacy was the highest-rated subscale and showed strong positive associations with ethical knowledge (r = 0.27, p < 0.001) and ethical attitudes (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that higher educational attainment significantly predicted both practical (b = 0.12, p = 0.045) and affective self-efficacy (b = 0.15, p = 0.002), as well as better ethical knowledge and attitudes. Notably, more years of experience were associated with lower self-perceived cultural competence. Nurses working in multicultural regions reported more favorable ethical orientations. Conclusions: Cultural competence, particularly emotional readiness to engage with cultural diversity, is a significant predictor of ethical awareness and behavior in nursing practice. Investment in continuous professional development, education, and supportive work environments is essential for cultivating both ethical sensitivity and culturally responsive care. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of the team effectiveness of the nursing unit on the relationship between the nursing work environment and patient-centered nursing. Methods: This cross-sectional design enrolled 327 nurses working in general hospitals across South Korea. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire between July and October 2022. Mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS Macro v3.5 for SPSS (Model 4), with bootstrap resampling (5000 samples) to assess the direct and indirect effects of the nursing work environment on patient-centered nursing. Results: The mean score for patient-centered nursing was 3.96 (maximum scored 5). Clinical experience, position, and hospital type were found to be significant general characteristics influencing patient-centered nursing. Both the nursing work environment (r = 0.522, p < 0.001) and the team effectiveness of the nursing unit (r = 0.569, p < 0.001) showed significant positive correlations with patient-centered nursing. Moreover, team effectiveness was found to mediate the relationship between the nursing work environment and patient-centered nursing (R² = 0.39, F = 35.35, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of organization-level strategies to enhance the nursing work environment and foster a team-based culture to improve patient-centered nursing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Operating room (OR) nurses are frequently exposed to high-stress environments, including verbal violence, which may induce post-traumatic stress (PTS). This study investigated the effects of verbal violence, resilience, and social support on PTS among OR nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted with 150 OR nurses who had at least one year of work experience. Data were collected via a mobile-based questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS Statistics 25. The main variables included experiences of verbal violence (from doctors and nurses), resilience, social support, and OR work satisfaction. Results: Exposure to verbal violence from doctors and nurses, as well as having 10 or more years of clinical experience, were significantly associated with higher PTS levels. In contrast, greater OR work satisfaction was associated with lower PTS. These variables collectively explained 36.6% of PTS variance (F = 8.64, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Verbal violence significantly contributes to PTS among OR nurses. Enhancing resilience and social support may mitigate the impact of PTS. Therefore, interventions such as structured peer-support systems, resilience training, and violence-prevention policies are recommended to reduce PTS risk. In addition, interventions to prevent verbal violence, and strengthen resilience and social support, and OR work satisfaction are crucial to protect nurses’ mental health and ensure patient safety. Full article

Background/Objectives: Missed nursing care—defined as any aspect of required patient care that is omitted or delayed—has emerged as a significant indicator of healthcare quality. Fatigue among nurses, particularly in high-demand environments, may contribute to care omissions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and patterns of missed nursing care and its association with occupational fatigue among nurses working in Saudi hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 183 registered nurses from multiple hospitals in the Hail and Madinah regions, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the Missed Nursing Care Scale (MISSCARE) and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery Scale (OFER-15). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationships between missed care, fatigue, and demographic/work-related variables. Results: Nurses reported moderate levels of missed care, especially in basic care tasks such as oral hygiene, assistance with meals, and timely ambulation. The most frequently cited causes of missed care included insufficient staffing, high patient load, and a lack of support personnel. Occupational fatigue scores were also moderate, with notably low inter-shift recovery. A significant negative correlation was found between inter-shift recovery and missed care (r = −0.120, 95% CI: −0.23 to −0.005, p = 0.040), indicating that poorer recovery between shifts was associated with more frequent omissions. Other fatigue dimensions showed weak, non-significant associations with missed care. Conclusions: Missed nursing care is a prevalent issue in Saudi hospitals and is significantly influenced by organizational factors and nurses’ recovery between shifts. Interventions to improve staffing adequacy and promote rest and recovery may reduce care omissions and enhance patient outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Missed nursing care (MNC), defined as any omitted or delayed aspect of required patient care, is a global concern affecting both patient outcomes and nurse well-being. In Saudi Arabia, few studies have examined its relationship with job satisfaction. This study assessed the prevalence of MNC, job satisfaction, and their association among nurses in government hospitals. Methods: A correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2025 in government hospitals across Albahah, Hail, and Almadina. A total of 366 registered nurses participated. Data were collected via a structured online questionnaire including demographic information, the Missed Nursing Care Scale, and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and regression analysis. Results: Basic care activities such as mouth care, bathing, and meal assistance were the most frequently missed tasks, mainly due to staffing shortages and high patient loads. The median MSQ score was 60 (44–71 Interquartile Range), reflecting moderate job satisfaction. A significant negative correlation was observed between MNC and job satisfaction (r = −0.267, p < 0.001), indicating that increased missed care was associated with lower satisfaction levels. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need for healthcare administrators and policymakers to implement strategies to improve staffing levels and work environments. Addressing these organizational factors is essential to reducing missed nursing care, enhancing nurse job satisfaction, and ultimately improving patient safety and care quality in Saudi government hospitals. Full article

Burnout and moral distress are increasingly recognized as critical challenges within healthcare systems, particularly in high-stress environments such as intensive care units (ICUs). This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence and interrelationships of moral distress, burnout, and turnover intentions among ICU nurses in Latvia, a country facing significant nursing shortages and structural workforce challenges. A total of 155 ICU nurses completed validated instruments assessing moral distress, the three subscales of burnout (personal, work-related, and client-related), and intentions to leave the profession. The results indicate that 68.2% of respondents experienced moderate to high levels of moral distress, especially related to providing aggressive treatment contrary to clinical judgment. Burnout scores were highest in the personal and work-related dimensions, with emotional exhaustion strongly correlated with moral distress. Approximately 30% of participants reported active intentions to leave their positions. Regression and mediation analyses confirmed that moral distress significantly predicted both burnout and turnover intentions, with burnout partially mediating this relationship. These findings highlight urgent risks not only to nurse well-being but also to healthcare quality and sustainability. This study underscores the importance of systemic interventions, including structured workload assessment tools, psychological support, and ethical consultation services. The results contribute to the international literature and offer context-specific insights for workforce resilience in Eastern European health systems. Full article

In recent years, Italy has experienced a significant increase in violence against healthcare workers, mirroring a global trend. Manifesting as verbal, physical, psychological, and material aggression, this phenomenon endangers both personnel safety and the foundational principles of the National Health Service (SSN) as outlined in Article 32 of the Italian Constitution. The escalation—most acute in emergency departments, psychiatric units, inpatient wards, and community services—affects a broad spectrum of professionals, compromising care quality and institutional integrity. Data from the FNOMCeO-CENSIS Report 2023–2024 reveal over 18,000 reported incidents in 2024, with verbal assaults disproportionately affecting female nursing staff. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated systemic vulnerabilities, heightening user dissatisfaction and psychological strain among healthcare providers. In response, legislative actions—such as Law No. 113/2020 and Decree-Law No. 137/2024—aim to strengthen prevention, monitoring, and penal measures. This article examines legal, institutional, and organizational responses, including on-the-ground and hospital-based strategies to mitigate violence. Adopting a multidisciplinary perspective, it analyzes recent policy developments, regional dynamics, and victim-perpetrator profiles, arguing that safeguarding healthcare environments is both a public security priority and an ethical imperative essential to preserving the dignity of care work and the resilience of the health system. Full article

Background: Moral harassment (mobbing) in healthcare, particularly among nurses, remains a persistent issue with detrimental effects on mental health, resilience, and quality of life. Aim: We examine the relationship between the resilience of nurses working in Emergency Departments (EDs) and how these factors influence experiences of workplace mobbing. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 nurses from four public hospitals in Greece’s 5th Health District. Data were collected between October 2023 and March 2024 using the WHOQOL-BREF, Workplace Psychologically Violent Behaviors (WPVB) scale and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The sample consisted primarily of full-time nurses (84.3% female; mean age = 43.1 years), with 21.1% reporting chronic conditions. Most participants were married (80.0%) and had children (74.4%), typically two (56.1%). Statistical analyses—conducted using SPSS version 27.0—included descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlations, multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Resilience was moderate (mean = 66.38%; Cronbach’s α = 0.93) and positively correlated with all WHOQOL-BREF domains—physical, psychological, social, and environmental (r = 0.30–0.40)—but not with the overall WHOQOL-BREF. The mean overall WHOQOL-BREF score was 68.4%, with the lowest scores observed in the environmental domain (mean = 53.76%). Workplace mobbing levels were low to moderate (mean WPVB score = 17.87), with subscale reliabilities ranging from α = 0.78 to 0.95. Mobbing was negatively associated with social relationships and the environmental WHOQOL-BREF (ρ = –0.23 to –0.33). Regression analysis showed that cohabitation and higher resilience significantly predicted better WHOQOL-BREF outcomes, whereas mobbing was not a significant predictor. Mediation analysis (bootstrap N = 5000) indicated no significant indirect effect of resilience in the relationship between mobbing and WHOQOL-BREF. Conclusions: Resilience was identified as a key protective factor for nurses’ quality of life in emergency care settings. Although workplace mobbing was present at low-to-moderate levels, it was negatively associated with specific WHOQOL-BREF domains. Enhancing mental resilience among nurses may serve as a valuable strategy to mitigate the psychological effects of moral harassment in healthcare environments. Full article

Introduction: Nurses are the largest group of healthcare workers, and healthcare managers should pay attention to the quality of work life and the health and working capacity of nurses in order to ensure a sufficient number of nurses and a stable workforce. Aim: The present study aimed to determine nurses’ quality of work life, work ability index and intention to leave the nursing profession and to examine the associations between nurses’ quality of work life, work ability index and intention to leave the nursing profession. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 498 nurses completed the instrument, consisting of demographic data, Brooks’ Quality of Nursing Work Life Survey (BQNWL), Work Ability Index Questionnaire (WAIQ) and questions on their intention to leave their current job or the nursing profession. Results: Most nurses had a moderate quality of work life (QWL) (73.7%) and a good work ability index (WAI) (43.78%). Men (p = 0.047), nurses who study (p = 0.021), nurses who do not have children (p = 0.000) and nurses who do not take care of their parents (p = 0.000) have a statistically significantly higher total WAIQ score. Most nurses (61.1%) had considered changing jobs in the last 12 months, and 36.9% had considered leaving the nursing profession. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the total BQNWL and the total WAI. The study found no correlation between QWL, WAI and intention to change jobs or leave the profession, which was unexpected. Conclusions: To ensure the provision of necessary nursing care and a healthy working environment for nurses, it is necessary to regularly monitor QWL and WAI and take measures to ensure the highest quality of working life. Further longitudinal and mixed-methods research is needed to understand the relationship between QWL, WAI and intention to leave. Full article