The nursing profession: public image, self-concept and professional identity. A discussion paper

Multiple job holding and its influencing factors among Belgian nurses: A cross-sectional study

Multiple job holding (MJH), historically referred to as moonlighting, is increasingly recognized among healthcare workers, yet it remains underexplored among nurses. This study investigates the prevalence and motivations for MJH among nurses in Belgium. Using a cross-sectional survey, data were collected in 924 nurses between November 2022 and March 2023. The aim was to identify key influencing factors driving nurses to consider or engage in MJH, with motivations categorized into "push" and "pull" factors. Results show that 38.3 % of nurses hold multiple jobs, with financial necessity and job dissatisfaction (push factors) as the dominant drivers. Younger nurses, men, and those without children were more likely to engage in MJH. Pull factors, such as professional growth and job autonomy, also played a role but were deemed less important. Financial insecurity, particularly the inability to live comfortably on a single income, emerged as a strong predictor of MJH. Additionally, nurses with master's degrees were more likely to take on secondary jobs, possibly due to career development motivations. Despite the growing trend of MJH, the study highlights concerns about nurses working outside their primary profession during a nursing shortage. These findings suggest a need for policy interventions to address inadequate financial compensation and improve job satisfaction within nursing roles to reduce the reliance on secondary employment.

Charting the Course of the Nursing Professional Identity: A Qualitative Descriptive Study on the Identity of Nurses Working in Care for Older Adults

AIMS

To explore and describe the meaning of nurses working in care for older adults give to the nursing professional identity.

DESIGN

A qualitative approach was taken.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 bachelor and vocational-educated nurses working in care for older adults. Interviews were conducted between December 2019 and May 2020. Data were analysed and interpreted through inductive content analysis.

RESULTS

Five themes embody the meaning of the nursing professional identity of nurses who work in care for older adults. The five themes are: born to care: a lifelong motivation to nursing; nursing through the noise: dedication in a demanding profession; the silent backbone: caught in the crossfire of interdisciplinary teams; learning under pressure: the demand for expanded nursing expertise and against the current: the barriers to advocacy in nursing.

CONCLUSION

The professional nursing identity of nurses working in care for older adults is multi-faceted. A personal dedication to patient care, where patients 'human' aspect is heavily valued, commits nurses to their profession and underscores their dedication to upholding the quality standard in nursing practice.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

The older adults' nursing identity highlights that nursing deserves acknowledgement as a professional occupation. Nurses should speak to the public about their professional roles to improve the public view of older adult nursing.

IMPACT

A clear understanding of the older adult nursing professional identity clarifies specific roles, experiences and expectations. This can help attract and retain nurses whose views of older adult nursing align with the nursing professional identity. This could help resolve nurse turnover and reduce shortages in older adult care.

REPORTING METHOD

We adhered to Consolidated Criteria For Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Digital Artifacts of Self-Representation: A Critical Qualitative Analysis of Nursing Memes

Stereotypes in mass media depict harmful and inaccurate portrayals of nurses and nursing work. As memes are understood to be units of culture, they may be examined as artifacts, deepening understandings of contemporary culture. This critical qualitative analysis of nursing memes from two popular social media platforms seeks to identify current cultural narratives and social meanings of nursing reproduced within the public domain. Memes were selected from popular hashtags and nursing meme accounts with more than 2500 followers. Memes were included if they followed traditional meme format and content-centered discourses of gender, race, and other aspects of power and oppression within nursing and healthcare systems. Our analysis employed a qualitative descriptive design within an overarching critical social theoretical framework. We identified that nursing memes reproduced stigmatizing and discriminatory narratives of patients and perpetuated harmful notions of "who" nurses are and "what" nurses do, while also drawing attention to systemic challenges facing the profession. Memes therefore serve as a valuable artifact for communicating contemporary cultural narratives about nursing and nursing work. Generating and distributing memes to raise awareness of systemic pressures may serve as a valuable social strategy toward advocating for systemic shifts in nursing and healthcare to address persistent challenges.

Why do young people choose nursing as their future profession? - a qualitative study on polish nursing students' motivating factors to apply to nursing and work in the profession after graduation

BACKGROUND

The existing staff shortages and growing worldwide demand call for action to increase the number of practicing nurses. Following the identified gap in the literature, this qualitative study aims to analyze what motivated nursing students to choose nursing as their field of study and whether they still plan to pursue it after graduation, including the factors influencing their intentions.

METHODS

Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with nursing students from Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Poland) on this matter, and the obtained data were subjected to thematic analysis performed by two researchers. Before starting the study, its protocol was also submitted to the Poznan University of Medical Sciences Bioethics Committee, which decided that since it is not a clinical trial, its opinion is not necessary under the Polish legal system (Decision number: KB-987/22).

RESULTS

Three themes were generated in this study. The first theme described what prompted respondents to apply for nursing studies. In this aspect, students mentioned factors like, e.g., their interests, subjects taken at high school, previous life experiences with the healthcare sector giving them a chance to observe nurses at work, having a nurse among family members or friends, or the positive presentation of healthcare professionals in the media or TV series. However, as the second theme demonstrated, some students reported a discouraging effect of negative reactions toward this choice from some family members, acquaintances, or even nurses, making them feel as if they had to defend this choice. The respondents attributed these reactions to some outdated stereotypical views on the nursing profession. Finally, the third theme summarized students' current intentions to enter the profession after graduating and the factors influencing them, including the quality of their studies and whether they feel prepared for the requirements of the profession, the role of support and interpersonal relations among staff members, observed conditions of medical personnel's work, physical and emotional burden and the responsibility of nurses' work, the financial stability and abundance of different job prospects for nurses, or the issue of the prestige of the profession.

CONCLUSIONS

The study's findings offer insight into the motives of nursing students for choosing nursing and their intentions to start working in the profession after graduation, which may help respond to identified problems, enhance the intentions of becoming a nurse among young people, and thus contribute to increasing the number of nurses in the healthcare sector.

Personalized nursing as the missing link of providing care: A systematic review

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of personalized nursing care. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically searched multiple databases and search engines, including PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, CINAHL, and Google Scholar, for articles published between 2011 and September 31, 2022. To evaluate the quality of the incorporated studies, we utilized established assessment tools, including the CONSORT checklist, STROBE statement, and Kmet standard criteria. A qualitative narrative synthesis approach was employed for data synthesis. The systematic review included 24 studies involving 5428 participants. Across these studies, a consistent positive correlation was found between personalized care administered by nurses and participant satisfaction. Patients receiving personalized care experienced reduced negative emotional symptoms, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits extending beyond physical health outcomes. Health guidance education, individualized healthcare plan and dedicated nursing team were the examples of personalized nursing interventions. The results underlined the importance of personalized nursing in delivering essential services. Personalized nursing aims to improve the quality of care by adapting it to each individual's unique needs and characteristics. Patient or public contribution: This study did not include contributions from patients or the public. Systematic Review Registration: CRD42022367814.

Nurses communication competencies in social media: A bibliometric review

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the characteristics of articles published on the competencies, abilities, knowledge and education that nurses should have to be able to communicate, inform, disseminate and/or be an informative source in mass media and social media.

DESIGN

This bibliometric study involved a comprehensive search of two databases, PubMed and Scopus. The search terms included 'nursing', 'communication', and 'mass media', along with their synonyms. Article selection was performed through screening titles and abstracts, with any uncertainties resolved through discussions among the researchers.

DATA SOURCES

The data were sourced from PubMed and Scopus, selected for their extensive coverage of academic literature related to nursing and communication.

METHODS

A total of 1,290 articles were initially identified. After screening, 463 articles were analysed. The study employed bibliometric analysis to evaluate publication trends, authorship patterns, and thematic focus. Key metrics such as annual publication growth rate, co-authorship, and thematic prevalence were assessed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The analysis revealed that the articles were published from 1,971 onwards, with an annual production growth rate of 6.83%. The total number of authors was 1,645, with an average co-authorship of 3 to 4 researchers per article. The most frequently discussed themes included Social Media, COVID-19, and Nurses. Notable authors included Booth R. (5 articles), Borycki E. (4 articles), and Jackson D. (4 articles). The most prominent journal was Nurse Education Today (20 articles), with the highest publication output from the United States (695 articles), followed by Australia (436 articles). Leading institutions included King Saud University (47 articles) and the University of Tripoli (37 articles).

CONCLUSION

This bibliometric review provides valuable insights for researchers, educators, and managers interested in the evolving role of nursing in traditional and social media. It highlights key researchers, influential journals, significant authors, and prominent countries in this field, offering a foundational understanding for further research and development in nursing communication competencies.

The public image of nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to assess the public image of the nursing profession during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the public was not as aware of the significance and indispensability of nursing. However, with the pandemic, the importance of nursing has gained prominence on national and international platforms.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of participants aged 18 and over who were Turkish speakers from seven regions of Turkey. Data were collected between May and July 2021 using an online survey, Image Scale for the Nursing Profession (ISNP), and Personal Information Form.

RESULTS

Five hundred and two individuals participated in the study. The average ISNP scores of the participants were 150.09 ± 9.62. It was found that participants who had a healthcare-related occupation and were satisfied with the nursing care they received in the hospital had statistically higher ISNP total scores (p = 0.006, p = 0.000), respectively. The study revealed that the value, respect, and trust given to nurses increased with the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a notable enhancement in the public's view of the nursing profession amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICIES

Developing promotional strategies for the nursing profession is crucial to enhance the public perception of the nursing profession. These strategies can help the public better understand and appreciate the nursing profession and the role of nurses in society. This requires the support of nurses, nursing educators, nurse managers, and policymakers.

The impact of gender on the nursing figure and nurses' interprofessional relationships: A multimethod study

AIMS

To identify the current presence of stereotypes about the nursing profession in Italy and to understand how gendered processes and modalities are regulated and expressed in the physician-nurse dyad, and the implications for professional identity and autonomy.

DESIGN

Qualitative multimethod design.

METHODS

Forty-five interviews were conducted with nurses and physicians. The collected qualitative data underwent automatic textual data analysis using a multidimensional exploratory approach and a gender framework analysis.

RESULTS

In Italy, nurses' roles are still associated with gender stereotypes stemming from the predominant male culture, which affects sexual and gender identity, the division of labor, and access to career paths. This leads to disadvantages in the nursing profession, which is heavily dominated by women.

CONCLUSION

Biological differences between sexes generate an unconscious yet shared symbolic gender order composed of negative stereotypes that influence nurses' professional roles and activities. They follow behaviors that enter the work routine and institutionalize organizational processes. These effects are also seen in the asymmetric, limited, and reciprocal interprofessional relationships between male physicians and female nurses, where the former hinders the latter's professional autonomy and access to top positions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

This survey raises awareness of gender issues and stimulates reflection. It also enables health and nursing organizations to take action to raise gender awareness and education by countering the image of a non-autonomous profession. The analysis of gender processes allows us to identify interventions that can counteract forms of oppression in the work environment that lead to the emergence of nursing as a non-autonomous profession.

EQUANU: Equality in Societal and Professional Recognition of Nurses-A Cross-Sectional Study on Societal and Professional Recognition of European Nurses

Background: Despite trends towards greater professionalisation of the nursing profession and an improved public image in certain countries, studies also show that large proportions of the public still do not fully appreciate nurses' competencies. Mapping differences in the societal and professional recognition of nurses allows for benchmarking among countries. Aim: To investigate the level of societal recognition of the nursing profession in nine European countries, and the level of professional recognition perceived by European nurses themselves; to compare levels of recognition between countries; and to identify influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Through an online survey, the study surveyed both the general public and nurses from various healthcare settings across nine countries between December 2022 and June 2023. The instrument used was a combination of self-developed questions on societal and professional recognition, the Work Motivation Scale and an adapted version of the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale. Data were analysed using SPSS v.29.0, with socioeconomic prestige scores for the public and work environment/work motivation scores for nurses calculated accordingly. Results: A total of 1618 adult citizens and 2335 nurses participated. The public predominantly characterised nurses with attributes such as friendliness, warmth, empathy and compassion. The mean socioeconomic prestige score assigned to nurses was 7.2/10 (SD 1.9), with Portugal having the highest score (M 7.5/10, SD 2.0) and Norway the lowest (M 5.8/10, SD 1.4; p < 0.001). Professional recognition experienced by nurses was generally low (54% indicated rather low, 17% very low). Slovenia, the Netherlands and Belgium had slightly higher mean scores (all M 1.4/3) compared to other countries (p < 0.001). High professional recognition could be predicted for 33% by work environment score (OR = 1.21; 95% CI [1.19-1.24]), work motivation score (OR = 1.02; 95%CI[1.01-1.02]), expertise outside the hospital (OR = 1.57; 95% CI [1.25-1.97]) and work experience (OR = 1.01; 95% CI [1.00-1.02]) corrected for country. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve the professional and public image of the nursing profession while addressing disparities in professional recognition between countries. Longitudinal studies are recommended to monitor changes in public perception and professional recognition among nurses.

Learning and Giving Compassionate Care to Patients: Perspectives of the ICU Nurses

BACKGROUND

Compassion forms the basis for nursing practice and is an essential component of patient-centered care. It is vital, essential and of great significance to relieve patient's suffering and have a positive impact on the quality of care provided by a nurse. In the context of Tanzania, knowledge on learning and giving compassionate nursing care to patients remained unresearched.

AIMS

To explore nurse's perspectives on how they learn and give compassionate nursing care to patients in ICUs in Tanzania.

METHODOLOGY

A qualitative descriptive study design using in-depth interviews was conducted amongst eleven (11) ICU nurses of two hospitals in Dodoma region. Audio-recording and notetaking were used to collect data. Data from the audio records were transcribed verbatim and subjected to inductive thematic analysis using manifest codding approach with a semantic focus. We report this paper according to COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged from data that summarised the nurses' perspectives on learning and giving compassionate care to patients in ICUs. These themes included (i) Sources and learning of compassionate nursing care (ii) Practicing compassionate nursing care and (iii) impact of compassionate nursing care. Overall, nurses in this setting expressed compassion to as a combination of empathy, ethical view, duty to care and readiness to go extra mile to address patients needs defined their unique view of compassion.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Emphasis of compassionate nursing care in formal training curricula, role modelling on compassion in clinical settings and motivation of nurses in critical care settings may facilitate provision of compassionate nursing care amongst patients in ICUs.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The findings of the present study underscore the nurse's perspectives on compassionate nursing care and what motivates and prevents them to provide compassionate care to patients.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Analyzing Predictive Factors for the Media's Impact on the Nursing Profession

Introduction: Mass media play a crucial role not only in informing the public but also in shaping public perception, educating, and enhancing the visibility of various professions, including nursing. Despite being the most populous healthcare profession, nursing remains underrepresented in media coverage. This imbalance affects the social status of the nursing profession and its public perception. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a validated questionnaire with high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficients) to assess nurses' perceptions of the media's role in society and the nursing profession. Data were collected from 203 participants using an online survey employing the snowball sampling method. Statistical analyses included Welch ANOVA, t-tests, and hierarchical regression to predict the importance of media education. Results: Participants demonstrated positive perceptions of the media's societal influence but identified a lack of adequate representation of nurses. Younger nurses and those with higher education levels emphasized the need for media education. Regression analysis revealed that perceptions of the media's power and self-assessed media competencies were significant predictors of valuing media education. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for integrating media literacy training into nursing education to enhance professional visibility and public engagement. This can empower nurses to actively contribute to shaping their professional image and addressing public misconceptions. Future research should expand the sample size and explore diverse healthcare settings to validate these findings.

Relational skills of nephrology and dialysis nurses in clinical care settings: A scoping review and stakeholder consultation

AIM

To describe and analyze the relational skills of nephrology nurses.

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) profoundly affects patients' psychosocial well-being. Nephrology and dialysis nurses meet clinical demands while providing vital emotional support. Managing CKD across diverse clinical settings requires specific relational skills, yet variability in nursing education across sectors may limit the development of holistic competencies crucial for delivering, high-quality care.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

METHODS

This scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and JBI methodology, adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Database searches included Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and ASSIA. Quality assessment used the JBI framework, with stakeholder engagement to inform standardized frameworks for relational skills.

RESULTS

From 6274 records, nine studies were included. Key relational competencies for nephrology nursing were identified, including relational care, communication and end-of-life support. These competencies highlight the importance of empathy, active listening and building therapeutic alliances. In hemodialysis, such skills aid patients in adapting to therapy and managing symptoms. In outpatient care, they promote psychological well-being, self-management and therapeutic communication. In palliative care, they alleviate emotional burdens and facilitate discussions about treatment choices. Stakeholder consultations validated these findings, underscoring their clinical relevance and prioritizing skills like active listening and shared decision-making, thus anchoring the results in real-world practice.

CONCLUSION

Relational skills are essential in nephrology nursing care in different settings and foster emotional support and trust, promoting factors such as therapeutic autonomy and end-of-life communication. Educational initiatives should prioritize the enhancement of these skills to improve nephrology patient care.

Social Representation, Stereotypes and Social Identity Pertaining to Nursing Through Children's Drawings: A Qualitative Study

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore children's depictions of nursing professionals, identifying shared and differential visual and symbolic elements as a function of gender, the period during which the drawing was made (pre-/postpandemic) and whether or not one has a relative who works in the same profession. Background: Drawing circumnavigates the limits imposed by literacy and gives a voice to children who are able to express their personal feelings and subconscious through the drawn object. Theories of social representations and identity strive to explore the way in which children perceive and value the role of nurses in society. Methods: With the question, 'what is nursing to you?' providing the foundation, qualitative visual analysis was performed based on bottom-up inductive logic, analysing 105 drawings through the software CAQDAS Atlas-ti. Results: Nine categories emerged that corresponded to uniform, typically used tools, represented functions, decorative elements, associated individuals, work setting and facial expression. Differences were identified as a function of the gender of the child respondent, familiarity with the profession and the period during which the drawing was made (pre-/postpandemic). Conclusion: The present research strives to contribute towards understanding of perceptions of nursing figures in the symbolic world of children, taking a more complete look at the view children have of nursing and the way in which they conceive and value healthcare and caring for health.

Analysing the Effects of Organisational Politics on Nurses' Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Nurses' Professional Self-Concept

AIMS

To analyse how organisational politics can affect behavioural responses such as organisational deviance and organisational citizenship behaviour towards the organisation among nurses. It also investigates the mediating effect of affective commitment between organisational politics and behavioural responses, and assesses the moderating effect of nurses' professional self-concept in the relationship between organisational politics and its outcomes.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was performed among 229 nurses.

METHODS

Data were collected between May and November 2019. The sample demonstrates its representativeness of the nursing population based on several demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The study reveals that organisational politics has a positive effect on organisational deviance and nurses' professional self-concept has a positive moderating effect on this relationship. Affective commitment mediates the relationship between organisational politics and organisational citizenship behaviour towards the organisation.

CONCLUSIONS

From a social exchange perspective, this research identifies the moderating role of nurses' professional self-concept in the relationship between organisational politics and organisational deviance. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, our study contributes to a better understanding of how the non-significant relationship between organisational politics and organisational citizenship behaviour towards the organisation is mediated by affective commitment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

Nursing managers should pay special attention to organisational political perceptions among nurses with elevated professional self-concepts and address them through a collaborative organisational culture and clear norms to mitigate the adverse organisational consequences of organisational politics among nurses. In this sense, managers should actively listen and communicate effectively, as they represent the organisation's values.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution was involved in this study.

IMPACT

The results of this study provided a better understanding of the organisational politics' effects among nurses on relational and behavioural responses and the moderating role of professional self-concept in these relationships.

What is nursing in advanced nursing practice? Applying theories and models to advanced nursing practice-A discursive review

AIM

This article appraises models and theories related to advanced nursing practice. It argues that while the role of the advanced nurse practitioner builds on and extends beyond traditional nursing, it remains firmly grounded in 'caring'.

BACKGROUND

The stereotype that nurses 'care' and doctors 'cure' is fading. Increasingly, nurses have crossed boundaries and conducted independent assessment, diagnosis, prescribing and consultation, which used to be the doctor's role. Confusion and argument have arisen due to the higher-level practice of the advanced nurse practitioner, as many questions where these 'doctor nurses' stand.

DESIGN

A literature review.

DATA SOURCES

Databases, including CINAHL, Medline and Google Scholar, were searched.

METHOD

Databases were searched, and relevant studies and review articles from 1970 to 2023 were identified using the following keywords: 'advanced nurse practitioner', 'nurse practitioner', 'advanced nursing', 'advance practice', 'nurse practitioner', 'nursing theory' and 'nursing model'.

RESULTS

Although advanced nurse practitioners identify themselves as nurses, there is limited use of nursing theory to conceptualize this new level of practice and to define their contribution to the multi-disciplinary team. It is noted that a holistic approach to personalized patient care, based on therapeutic relationships and effective communication, may help us identify the unique contribution of the advanced nurse practitioner.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of advanced nursing theory needs to capture this holistic approach and its caring element to recognize the value and strengthen the identity allegiance of this hybrid role.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Holistic approach and patient-centred care, effective communication and the therapeutic relationship are strong characteristics relating to ANP practice, the latter of which is yet to be clearly defined and captured in nursing theories. Conceptualizing ANP practice and capturing their valuable nursing care will enable better understanding and clarity for the role to realize its full potential.

The positioning of nursing in Turkish mass media: Before and after the COVID-19 outbreak

AIM

To explore the way the nursing profession was portrayed in online news coverage before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

The power of the media can be used as a tool to introduce nursing services to society, make nursing visible, and influence the public perception of nursing.

INTRODUCTION

Analyzing the image of nursing as portrayed in the news can be a guide for more effective management of the media as a tool for positioning nursing in the future and presenting the right message.

METHODS

A qualitative design was applied. Three online newspapers published in the Turkish language-the most widely read newspapers in Turkey-were analyzed. The sample for this research consisted of 505 news articles containing the keywords "nurse" and "nursing" published before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. The MAXQDA2022 software was used for data management.

RESULTS

The articles selected were themed as news reflecting the nursing profession negatively, positively, and neutrally. When the negative and positive themes were compared, the two most repeated subthemes included (1) working conditions and being unprofessionalism; (2) impact on health, social recognition, and neutral included only subtheme that happens to you as a citizen/individual.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the pre-COVID-19 period, there was an increase in news coverage reflecting portrayed nursing positively on the nursing profession in the post-COVID-19 period. Mass media, which are indispensable in social communication, can be used as an effective tool to improve the image of nursing in society.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

From nursing students to policymakers, all professionals must act in a planned and purposeful manner to present nursing professionals positively as leaders in public healthcare.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANPs) experiences of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) Scheme: a UK case study

OBJECTIVES

The primary focus of pay-for-performance (P4P) schemes in the UK has traditionally been related to the public health and inclusion elements related to the activities of doctors with comparatively less attention given to nursing care as a component of the scheme. However, nursing is an integral part of healthcare delivery in the National Health Service and nurses constitute the major group of healthcare professionals in most countries. Our aim was to explore advanced nurse practitioner (ANPs) experiences of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), using the Implicit Leadership Theory (ILT) frame.

METHODS

We used a case study approach. Six articles on the QOF work were synthesised, focused on ANPs and their leadership potential in healthcare. Evidence showed that despite having importance in delivering the activities of QOF, nursing activities overlooked. We undertook a thematic synthesis of these papers, with a specific focus ANPs' leadership development in Long Term Conditions (LTC) care within general practice and capacity to influence the healthcare system.

FINDINGS

Six themes were identified: (1) sensitivity, patient-centred care, context and continuity of care; (2) intelligence-leaders capable of making strategic decisions in healthcare settings, (3) dedication, trust, equity and equality, (4) dynamism of nursing, (5) tyranny, guise of teamwork, collaboration and (6) nursing and healthcare leadership.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses in leadership roles created good working relationships, coped with conflicts and contributed to shared objectives and were sympathetic collaborators. Using the six ILT characteristics, we found that nurses were collaborators. Future P4P schemes should benefit from a collective lens of healthcare personnel when focusing on quality initiatives and improving the delivery of healthcare activities.

Motivations for Enrolment and Dropout of First-Year Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Multimethod Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Higher education institutions must improve the attractiveness and retention of the nursing profession to address the widespread shortage. This pilot multimethod study aimed to preliminarily understand the relationship between motivations for enrolment and dropout among first-year undergraduate nursing students.

METHODS

A two-step approach was conducted among first-year nursing students from five Italian universities involving: (a) a baseline quantitative online survey collecting their characteristics and motivations for enrolment; (b) a follow-up semi-structured interview qualitative data collection among students who dropped out. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe the motivations for enrolment and differences between universities. Dropout motivations emerged from inductive content analysis, with data categorisation according to Urwin's framework.

RESULTS

A total of 759 students completed the online survey. Primary motivations for enrolment included the desire to be useful (88.8%), help suffering people (84.3%), and find employment (74.2%); 22.3% cited unsuccessful admission to another university as motivation for enrolment. Of the 141 students who discontinued, 31 were interviewed (22%). Eleven categories and three themes were identified. More than half of the participants dropped out due to interest in other courses and lack of aptitude, while a smaller number cited personal circumstances. Other motivations for dropout were related to negative learning environments or feelings and difficulties related to course characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an initial insight into these complex phenomena that will be instrumental in understanding data from an Italian multicenter cohort study. The findings can inform recommendations and strategies to strengthen the future nursing workforce.

The Future of the Health Professions: Navigating Shortages, Imbalances, and Automation

The healthcare sector is undergoing significant transformation driven by workforce shortages, role imbalances, and technological advances. Traditional health professions, characterised by advanced knowledge and self-regulation, face challenges from two key trends. First, there is a growing reliance on less-trained workers, such as nursing assistants and physician associates, to fill gaps, raising concerns about patient safety and the quality of care. While these roles can assist in simpler tasks, their expanded responsibilities-often exceeding their training-can lead to adverse outcomes, particularly in critical medical scenarios. Second, the rise of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) offers both opportunities and risks. While AI shows promise in reducing administrative burdens and aiding specialized tasks like image recognition, its limitations hinder its broader adoption, such as reinforcing biases and failing to reason diagnostically. This editorial argues that uncritical reliance on these developments risks compromising healthcare quality. It calls for evidence-based policymaking, robust oversight, and updated regulatory frameworks to ensure patient safety while adapting to these shifts. Getting the right balance between maintaining professional autonomy and integrating new roles and technologies is critical for building resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to future challenges.

Assessing nursing students' e-health literacy and foresights to global health challenges during COVID-19 restrictions: A cross-sectional study with a machine learning approach

AIM

This study aims to assess the e-health literacy and foresights to global health challenges of nursing students during the COVID19 restrictions.

BACKGROUND

As the healthcare environment becomes more digitalized, understanding how nursing students perceive and prepare for global health challenges during the COVID19 restrictions and e-health literacy is crucial for customizing educational strategies to enhance their capabilities.

DESIGN

A descriptive and correlational study design was employed.

METHODS

The study included 310 nursing students from six universities in Istanbul, Turkey, encompassing both state and foundation institutions. Data were collected via online surveys, including an Information Form, a Foresight Form for Global Health Challenges and an E-Health Literacy Scale. The study extended beyond conventional statistical analysis by incorporating a tree-based ML model, specifically a Random Forest classifier, to identify complex patterns and relationships affecting e-health literacy and global health perceptions.

RESULTS

The analysis indicated that e-health literacy levels among nursing students are significantly shaped by their academic year, participation in global health courses and engagement with international health organizations. ML techniques pinpointed the ability to discern high-quality online health resources as a pivotal skill, emphasizing the need for nursing curricula to focus on advanced critical evaluation skills.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings stress the necessity of integrating critical evaluation and information-seeking skills into nursing education to equip students for the complexities of a globalized health landscape.

The impact of digital technology use on nurses' professional identity and relations of power: a literature review

AIM

This study seeks to review how the use of digital technologies in clinical nursing affects nurses' professional identity and the relations of power within clinical environments.

DESIGN

Literature review.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed and CINAHL databases were searched in April 2023.

METHODS

We screened 874 studies in English and German, of which 15 were included in our final synthesis reflecting the scientific discourse from 1992 until 2023.

RESULTS

Our review revealed relevant effects of digital technologies on nurses' professional identity and power relations. Few studies cover outcomes relating to identity, such as moral agency or nurses' autonomy. Most studies describe negative impacts of technology on professional identity, for example, creating a barrier between nurses and patients leading to decreased empathetic interaction. Regarding power relations, technologically skilled nurses can yield power over colleagues and patients, while depending on technology. The investigation of these effects is underrepresented.

CONCLUSION

Our review presents insights into the relation between technology and nurses' professional identity and prevalent power relations. For future studies, dedicated and critical investigations of digital technologies' impact on the formation of professional identity in nursing are required.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

Nurses' professional identity may be altered by digital technologies used in clinical care. Nurses, who are aware of the potential effects of digitized work environments, can reflect on the relationship of technology and the nursing profession.

IMPACT

The use of digital technology might lead to a decrease in nurses' moral agency and competence to shape patient-centred care. Digital technologies seem to become an essential measure for nurses to wield power over patients and colleagues, whilst being a control mechanism. Our work encourages nurses to actively shape digital care.

REPORTING METHOD

We adhere to the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis where applicable. EQUATOR reporting guidelines were not applicable for this type of review.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

[Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Scale for Nurses]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the occupational coping self-efficacy for nurses (K-OCSE-N) scale.

METHODS

The English version of the OCSE-N scale was translated into Korean using a translation and back-translation process. Data were gathered from 213 nurses employed in a general hospital in South Korea. The content validity was assessed using the content validity index. The construct validity was verified through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Criterion validity was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficients with the job stress coping and general self-efficacy scales. Reliability was examined using item-total score correlation and Cronbach's α coefficient for internal consistency.

RESULTS

The exploratory factor analysis identified two factors that explained 61.8% of the cumulative variance: occupational burden and relational difficulty. In confirmatory factor analysis, the model exhibited adequate fit (χ²/df = 2.07, GFI = .95, SRMR = .04, RMSEA = .07, CFI = .97, and TLI = .95), with both convergent and discriminant validity deemed acceptable. The criterion validity presented a positive correlation of the K-OCSE-N with both job stress coping (r = .72, p < .001) and general self-efficacy (r = .72, p < .001). The internal consistency of the scale using Cronbach's α for the total items was .89.

CONCLUSION

The K-OCSE-N scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring nurses' occupational coping self-efficacy. This study suggests that various intervention studies can use the scale to assess and strengthen nurses' occupational coping self-efficacy in nursing practice.

Nursing Professional Identity: A Critical Review of the Concept Amidst COVID-19

Heroism is an immutable and quintessential part of what gives rise to the phenomenon that is nurse. This altruistic discourse comes with profound consequences for the nursing profession, particularly in relation to nursing's professional identity. This critical review explores nursing's professional identity against the backdrop of gendered and heroic discourses. Two concept analyses of nursing's professional identity are critically reviewed and juxtaposed with literature on the topic amidst COVID-19. Using poststructural feminism and critical discourse analysis, the review provides valuable insights into the evolutionary significance of the concept and raises key questions around knowledge-power structures and discursive constructions of nurse.

Reassembling nursing in the digital age: An actor-network theory perspective

This article explores the application of actor-network theory (ANT) to the nursing profession, proposing a novel perspective in understanding nursing in the context of modern digital healthcare. Traditional grand nursing theories, while foundational, often fail to encapsulate the dynamic and complex nature of nursing, particularly in an era of rapid technological advancements and shifting societal dynamics. ANT, with its emphasis on the relationships between human and nonhuman actors, offers a framework to understand nursing beyond traditional paradigms. This article makes two key arguments: first, that nursing can be viewed as a highly organised social assemblage, where both human (nurses, patients and policymakers) and nonhuman actors (technologies, medical equipment, institutional policies) play a crucial role, and second, that ANT can be used to enhance existing nursing theory to better understand the role of technology in nursing practice. The article considers how ANT can provide a more holistic and adaptable model for describing the nursing profession, particularly in an era where technology plays an integral role in healthcare delivery. It discusses the implications of viewing nursing through ANT, highlighting the need for nursing education and practice to adapt to the interconnected and technologically advanced nature of modern healthcare. The article also acknowledges the limitations of ANT, particularly its potential oversimplification of the complex ethical dimensions inherent in nursing and its focus on observable phenomena.

Attrition and Retention of Rehabilitation Professionals: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

Attrition is defined as a permanent departure from one's profession or the workforce. Existing literature on retention strategies, contributing factors to the attrition of rehabilitation professionals and how different environments influence professionals' decision-making to stay in/leave their profession, is limited in scope and specificity. The objective of our review was to map the depth and breadth of the literature on attrition and retention of rehabilitation professionals.

METHODS

We used Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. A search was conducted on MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), AMED, CINAHL, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses from 2010 to April 2021 for concepts of attrition and retention in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.

RESULTS

Of the 6031 retrieved records, 59 papers were selected for data extraction. Data were organized into three themes: (1) descriptions of attrition and retention, (2) experiences of being a professional, and (3) experiences in institutions where rehabilitation professionals work. Seven factors across three levels (individual, work, and environment) were found to influence attrition.

DISCUSSION

Our review showcases a vast, yet superficial array of literature on attrition and retention of rehabilitation professionals. Differences exist between occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology with respect to the focus of the literature. Push , pull , and stay factors would benefit from further empirical investigation to develop targeted retention strategies. These findings may help to inform health care institutions, professional regulatory bodies, and associations, as well as professional education programs, to develop resources to support retention of rehabilitation professionals.

Public perceptions of the brand image of nursing: Cross-cultural differences between the United States and China

BACKGROUND

Measures of public opinion regarding nursing's brand image are needed to identify and correct perceptions that are incongruent with the breadth and scope of contemporary nursing practice. Misperceptions of nursing's influence may serve to minimize or disregard nursing's unique contributions to addressing the Social Determinants of Health which are foundational for improving the health of global populations.

PURPOSE

To compare public perceptions of the brand image of nursing between China and the United States (US) and determine whether sociodemographic variables influenced factors between the two countries.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was distributed among members of the Chinese and U.S. public. Perceptions of nursing's brand image were assessed through the original Nursing Brand Image Scale-Public Version in the US (NBIS-P) and when translated to Chinese (NBIS-P-C). Descriptive statistics and multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were used to compare perceptions of the brand image of nursing and to examine the influence of demographics.

DISCUSSION

The reliability of the Chinese version of the NBIS-P-C was confirmed by this study. Age and gender did not influence public perceptions of nursing's brand image in either China or the US. Instead, educational attainment was the significant demographic variable and positively correlated with the public's perceptions of nursing in both countries (p < .05). Public respondents with lower educational attainment scored both the traditional nursing factor "Caregiver Virtues/Attributes" (e.g., Trusted, Caring, Nurturing/Mothering) and the factor "Lack Authority/Identity" (e.g., White Cap/Uniform, Subservient, Female) higher, while scoring the factor for "Leadership" (e.g., Decision Makers, Influential, Leaders) significantly lower than those with higher educational levels.

CONCLUSION

A disparity exists between nursing's contemporary contributions to healthcare and the public's limited understanding of the diverse leadership roles all nurses provide, across a variety of settings, and in global public health initiatives. The virtuous traits of the nurse are perceived most directly and immediately by the public while their roles as autonomous decision-makers and leaders are less (or not at all) visible. Enhancing the accuracy and visibility of a strong brand image could advance public perceptions of nurses as experts and leaders in nursing science, thus paving the way for nurses to more effectively direct and influence the health of the public, particularly those with lower educational attainment who represent some of the most vulnerable populations. Targeted interventions that incorporate the educational level of the public offer a foundational opportunity for the nursing profession to correct inaccurate and outdated stereotypes that prevent nurses from achieving their desired brand image as influential leaders. Such campaigns could also be used to inform policy, guide strategic planning, and transform the future direction of the nursing profession.

Self-concept of the nursing profession among nursing students: An art-based qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

In general, nursing students' self-concept of nursing is associated with their professional competence. Arts-based pedagogical approaches offer a creative way of supporting nursing education that improves clinical practice and creates meaningful learning.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study is to understand the professional self-concept of nursing students through their self-artwork.

METHOD

A qualitative descriptive design from an arts-based critical perspective was applied to nursing students from an accelerated program for non-nursing BA graduates. The thematic analysis utilized the constant comparative analysis method.

RESULTS

The study included 34 artworks created by 184 students. Three themes and 11 codes were identified. The themes are: "The question is why?"; "My story,"; and "Nursing is a value." The themes and codes reflect a naïve view of nursing self-concept, societal critique regarding the profession's poor image, and recognition of nursing as a feminist and transition tool, particularly among Arab women. Students expressed concerns about balancing professional commitments and their own needs.

CONCLUSION

Use of artwork may help students express their professional self-concept, thoughts, feelings, and criticism. Nursing educators and leaders can use these insights to develop an education process adapted to the needs of students, professionals, and society.

Healthcare Provider Experiences With Unvaccinated COVID-19 Patients: A Qualitative Study

IMPORTANCE

In the setting of an active pandemic the impact of public vaccine hesitancy on healthcare workers has not yet been explored. There is currently a paucity of literature that examines how patient resistance to disease prevention in general impacts practitioners.

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented healthcare challenges with impacts on healthcare workers' wellbeing. Vaccine hesitancy added complexity to providing care for unvaccinated patients. Our study qualitatively explored experiences of healthcare providers caring for unvaccinated patients with severe COVID-19 infection in the intensive care setting.

DESIGN

We used interview-based constructivist grounded theory methodology to explore experiences of healthcare providers with critically ill unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Healthcare providers who cared for unvaccinated patients with severe COVID-19 respiratory failure following availability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines were recruited from seven ICUs located within two large academic centers and one community-based hospital. We interviewed 24 participants, consisting of eight attending physicians, seven registered nurses, six critical care fellows, one respiratory therapist, one physiotherapist, and one social worker between March 2022 and September 2022 (approximately 1.5 yr after the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada).

ANALYSIS

Interviews were recorded, transcribed, de-identified, and coded to identify emerging themes. The final data was analyzed to generate the thematic framework. Reflexivity was employed to reflect upon and discuss individual pre-conceptions and opinions that may impact collection and interpretation of the data.

RESULTS

Healthcare providers maintained dedication toward professionalism during provision of care, at the cost of suffering emotional turmoil from the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Evolving sources of stress associated with vaccine hesitancy included ongoing high volumes of critically ill patients, resource shortages, and visitation restrictions, which contributed to perceived emotional distress, empathy loss, and professional dissatisfaction. As a result, there were profound personal and professional consequences for healthcare professionals, with perceived impacts on patient care.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights struggles of healthcare providers in fulfilling professional duties while navigating emotional stressors unique to vaccine hesitancy. System-based interventions should be explored to help providers navigate biases and moral distress, and to foster resilience for the next major healthcare system strain.

Explain the professional identity of nursing during COVID-19 pandemic

AIM

To explore the professional identity of nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. Professional identity guides nurses' interaction with patients. In the COVID-19 pandemic, recent developments in society's view of the nursing profession are expected to change the perception of nurses' professional identities.

DESIGN

The qualitative study used a conventional content analysis approach.

METHODS

Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews from June 2020 to January 2021. Data analysis was performed using Landman and Granheim's analysis and Lincoln and Guba's criteria to ensure the data's rigour.

RESULTS

After analysing the 20 interviews with 17 participants, including 11 nurses with an average age of 32.63 ± 6.71 years and six varius community members with an average age of 38.66 ± 5.85 years, three main categories were formed: (1) The dual role of the media in the two subcategories (the positive role and the negative role of the media), (2) Changes in public view of nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic (respect for avoidance and understanding the value of nursing practice) and (3) Change of professional identity by showing self-sacrifice (dealing with adversity and commitment to professional obligations).

CONCLUSION

The image in the public view of the nursing profession during the COVID-19 pandemic media differs from before and shows self-sacrifice, professional commitment and humanity in nursing. Nurses' experience of caring during the COVID-19 pandemic has positively affected their professional identity; however, they are concerned about the instability of improving the nursing image in society.

IMPACT

Nursing leaders and policymakers can utilize media platforms to portray the nursing profession in a positive light and emphasize the scientific capabilities of nurses. This approach goes beyond highlighting sacrifice and compassion, aiming to shift societal perceptions of nursing and bolster the professional identity of nurses.

REPORTING METHOD

We used the COREQ (COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research) checklist as a reporting method.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Professional self-concept of BSN students: A cross-sectional correlational study

BACKGROUND

Professional self-concept consists of one's judgments, attitudes about oneself professionally, and one's own perception as a professional. A positive professional self-concept can support students and new nurses throughout their nursing careers.

OBJECTIVE

To describe levels of self-concept among pre-licensure undergraduate students.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

The participants were nursing students in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the United States.

DESIGN/METHODS

This is a cross-sectional correlational study with self-report instruments, including demographics and the Professional Self-Concept of Nurses Instrument. Data (N = 103) were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 29.0. Descriptive statistics and professional self-concept scores were examined with independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlations.

RESULTS

Most participants were female (n = 90), with a mean age of 20 years (SD = 1). The mean professional self-concept of nurses score was 78 (SD = 7), ranging from 27 to 108, and professional self-concept was positively correlated with receiving tutoring through the university's program, working as a tutor for nursing students or students in prerequisite classes, transferring into the nursing program, and participating in campus nursing organizations. Professional self-concept was negatively correlated with advancement in semesters of the nursing program, being a first-generation college student, having a family member who is a nurse, GPA, and having clinical-related work experience in healthcare.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of exposure to nursing may be related to lower professional self-concept. This is important to recognize and it may generalize to other nursing schools and health-related departments. Schools of nursing should enhance students' resilience by promoting self-concept. Our findings also shade light on self-care and the mental health of healthcare professionals.

Nurses' media competency: A concept analysis

OBJECTIVES

To analyze and define the concept of nurses' media competency.

DESIGN

Concept analysis.

DATA SOURCES

We conducted a literature search in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and RISS International, as well as a hand-search, for relevant articles published between January 1990 and April 2023. A total of 57 articles related to nurses' media competency, published in English or Korean, were included in this study.

REVIEW METHODS

We used Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis to identify the defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the concept.

RESULTS

The seven defining attributes of nurses' media competency were networking with members of the media, selecting the appropriate media platform, considering that the target audience is the public, creating one's own media products, delivering intended messages through the media, monitoring and responding to the media, and maintaining professional dignity. Antecedents of the concept included cultivation of desirable nursing professionalism, critical evaluation of policies and issues, recognition of media influence, establishment of education and guidelines for media use, and having facilities and availability of technologies for media use. Consequences of the concept were improved influence of individual nurses, enhanced public awareness of the nursing profession, stronger networks and collaboration among professionals, and contributions to the promotion of public health.

CONCLUSIONS

This concept analysis presents a theoretical definition of nurses' media competency that can provide guidance on how to educate nurses to develop media competency and how to measure nurses' media competency.

Psychometric testing of the nurses professional values scale-revised on family and community health nurses

BACKGROUND

Family and Community Health Nurses (FCHNs) are at a higher risk of experiencing emotional exhaustion and feelings of low personal accomplishment. Higher levels of professional identity may decrease these negative feelings. Its measurement could produce positive effects for FCHNs and the quality of care they offer.

AIM

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised (NPVS-R) on FCHNs in Italy.

RESEARCH DESIGN

A cross-sectional research design was used.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

A convenience sample of FCHNs was recruited in an out-of-hospital setting from Italy. A total of 202 nurses were eligible (mean age of 41.11 ± 10.55 years; 78.2% female).

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The study was performed in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Participants were asked for their consent and were guaranteed anonymity in the information collected. The study was approved by the internal review board of the university.

RESULTS

Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported a unidimensional factorial structure of the NPVS-R with an adequate fit to the data. Internal consistency reliability was also supported. The construct validity was further reinforced by the concurrent validity results showing a positive and significant correlation of professional identity with job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The NPVS-R is a valid and reliable instrument to measure professional identity among FCHNs. It can be used in clinical practice to improve FCHNs' psychological-emotional feelings and quality of care provided, in research to allow comprehensive understanding of professional identity, and in educational settings to monitor the professional identity levels of Family and Community Health Nursing students.

An Exploration of the Day to Day Professional Experiences of School Nurses Globally: A Narrative Review

To explore school nurses' roles globally through their own perceptions of what they do and how they do it and to compare the realities for the role its representation in professional literature. A comprehensive narrative literature review, using ENTREQ guidelines, with "qualitizing" of the quantitative literature, and athematic analysis was carried out. Findings were reviewed in relation toestablished theory. CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Embase were systematically searched from 2000-2021. Included studies focused on school nurses'perceptions of their own practice. Five themes: direct care, health promotion, collaboration,support from school and health authorities and promoting the school nurses'role were found. These themes were closely aligned to the National Associationfor School Nurses' framework for 21st century practice. However, the schoolnurses signposted areas where they need support in carrying out their job tothe highest standard. School nurses are important to support thehealth needs of students while at school. They also, particularly in areas likethe United Arab Emirates where resources are being invested in the role, have a unique role to play in health promotion, leading to improved health literacy,as positive health behaviors tend to be learned young. However, worldwide, thepotential for the school nursing role needs to be recognized and supported by healthand education providers, by families and within the schools for its fullpotential to be achieved.

Subgroups of relational job characteristics and their differences in turnover intention and subjective well-being among nurses: a latent profile analysis

OBJECTIVE

Relational job characteristics include perceived social worth and perceived social influence. Good relational job characteristics mean that nurses have high prosocial behavior. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential profile of nurses' relational job characteristics, influencing factors and their differences in turnover intention and subjective well-being, thus finding the most suitable clinical relationship job characteristics.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1013 clinical nurses using the general demographic data questionnaire, Relational Job Characteristics scale, Turnover Intention Questionnaire and Campbell index of well-being. A latent profile analysis was performed to explore relational job characteristics latent profiles. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of profile membership, and a one-way analysis of variance was applied to compare the turnover intention and subjective well-being in each latent profile.

RESULTS

Five latent profiles were identified and labeled 'High prosocial job characteristics' profile (20.7%), 'Moderate prosocial job characteristics' profile (41.7%), 'High social worth-low social impact perceived' profile (6.3%), 'Low social worth-high social impact perceived' profile (18.8%) and 'Low prosocial job characteristics' profile (12.5%). Factors affecting the different types of nurse relationship job characteristics include age, marital status, hospital department, nursing years, professional title and hospital position. Among them, chief nurse, nurses with more than 20 years of nursing experience and obstetrics and gynecology nurses were more likely to be 'high prosocial job characteristics' profile. The turnover intention of nurses in 'high prosocial job characteristics' profile was significantly lower than that of other profiles, and their subjective well-being was significantly higher than that of other profiles.

CONCLUSION

Improving nurses' perception of social worth and social impact on clinical work can improve nurses' prosocial behavior and subjective well-being, and reduce their turnover intention. Nursing managers or policy makers can formulate targeted intervention measures according to the influencing factors of potential profiles.

"I want to have stories too". Nursing students' views on nursing identity and reasons for choosing nursing as a career: A qualitative study

AIM

To understand and interpret nursing students' views on nursing identity and their reasons for choosing nursing as a career after participating in a face-to-face storytelling panel by academics.

BACKGROUND

Knowing nursing students' view of the profession and their thoughts about the profession, their roles and their future will guide nursing academics to develop evidence-based strategies that will enable participants to realize their own professional identities. Storytelling has an important role in creating and strengthening a strong professional identity among participants.

DESIGN

This study is a sample case study.

METHODS

This research was carried out in the fall semester of the 2023-2024 academic year with participants registered in nursing program at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a state university in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. The study was completed with one hundred ten participants. Five academics were invited to the panel at the Faculty of Health Sciences to share their experiences, stories and reasons for choosing nursing as a career through storytelling. The data were collected using the surveys, which includes five structured open ended questions and analyzed using descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

Five main themes emerged: 1. Participants' views on nursing profession; 2. Awareness of positive/negative emotions related to the profession as a part of nursing stories and feeling that these emotions are experienced in the stories; 3. Changes in the perspective of the profession and sense of belonging to the profession as part of nursing stories; 4. Facilitators in choosing nursing as a career; and 5. Barriers to choosing nursing as a career.

CONCLUSION

Providing participants with the chance to both listen to the real stories of academic nurses and to reflect on themselves through writing was a dynamic experience that motivated participants to understand their perceptions of nurses and nursing profession.

Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Nurse Self-Concept Questionnaire (NSCQ) for Portuguese nursing students

BACKGROUND

The professional self-concept of nursing students significantly influences their attitude and identity within the profession, ultimately impacting their mental health and overall well-being. Recent evidence underscores the importance of assessing students' professional self-concept to prevent adverse outcomes such as burnout and stress. Since there are currently no validated instruments available in Portugal for this purpose, our objective was to translate, adapt, and validate the Nurse Self-Concept Questionnaire (NSCQ) with nursing students in Portugal.

METHODS

A two-phase research study with a non-probabilistic sample of 216 undergraduate nursing students, using the QualtricsXM electronic platform for data collection. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify the validity of the theoretical construct and its internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha was calculated, and a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the model fit.

RESULTS

The final instrument, designated as Questionário de Autoconceito dos/as Enfermeiros/as (Pt - NSCQ), is composed of 24 items distributed across five dimensions: "General self-concept", "Staff relations", "Leadership", "Communication-care" and "Knowledge", which explain 67.71% of the total variance. All dimensions and the global scale revealed good internal consistency values, ranging from 0.775 to 0.927. The resulting factorial structure is coherent with the theoretical framework.

CONCLUSION

The Pt - NSCQ proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess Portuguese nursing students' professional self-concept. Future studies should be carried out on larger samples and different educational contexts, aligned with the importance to ensure the continuity of the psychometric analysis of the instrument.

Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to identify the literature and map the individual and environmental factors that influence registered nurses' and midwives' decision to stay or leave their professions within the first 3 years of practice.

INTRODUCTION

Nursing and midwifery workforce sustainability is an international concern. One aspect is the retention of new registered nurses and midwives in their first years of practice. Several factors are thought to influence the decisions of new registered nurses and midwives to leave or stay in their professions. This review sought to identify and map those factors to enable further research for workforce sustainability development strategies.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

The study cohort included registered nurses and midwives in their first 3 years of practice, which we called newcomers . Nurses who were required to work under the supervision of registered nurses and midwives (ie, enrolled nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses) were excluded. Papers were included only if they explored individual or environmental factors influencing nurses' decision to stay in or leave the professions of nursing or midwifery. Studies could be from any country or care environment, and participants were newcomers providing direct clinical care. Newcomers employed in other health roles, such as education, research, administration, or non-nursing/midwifery roles, were excluded. All research designs and peer-reviewed papers were included; policy documents were excluded. The date of inclusion was from the earliest publication on this topic, which was 1974, to the date of the search.

METHODS

The JBI methodology for scoping reviews was followed, and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidance. The search strategy aimed to locate published and unpublished primary studies, reviews, and text and opinion papers. The initial search of relevant databases was conducted in January 2020 and updated in January 2022. Reference lists of included articles were also screened. Following data extraction, descriptive qualitative content analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

Twelve articles from 11 studies were included in this review. They were published between 2005 and 2020, and originated from 5 countries. Two studies were observational, 3 were cross-sectional, 5 were longitudinal studies, 1 was a pre- and post-program evaluation, and 1 was a scoping review. All studies focused on registered nurses; no publications on registered midwives met the inclusion criteria. Individual factors we identified that impact newcomers' intention to stay in or leave the profession included physical and psychological health, professional identity, professional commitment, and development. Environmental factors included workplace culture, engagement, and management.

CONCLUSIONS

Professional self-image, identity, and a sense of pride in the profession are important components of newcomer retention. Strategies that positively support transition to practice and create realistic expectations were highlighted. Managers play an important role in registered nurse retention, as they can influence many of the newcomers' experiences. It is concerning that no studies about newcomer midwives were found. Many studies explored turnover or intention to leave the job/employer rather than the profession. These are important considerations for future research.

Do income-welfare satisfaction and competency enhance work engagement among Chinese nursing home caregivers? --A moderated mediating effect based on professional identity

Due to China's aging population, there is a high demand for elderly care that is further exacerbated by the shortage of well-trained caregivers and high turnover rates in nursing homes, urgently requiring enhanced work engagement of caregivers. This study used structural equation modeling based on the survey data of Chinese caregivers in nursing homes to explore the association among income-welfare satisfaction, competency, professional identity, family support and work engagement. Findings indicated that (1) income-welfare satisfaction, competency, and professional identity all enhanced caregivers' work engagement, with professional identity being stronger. (2) Professional identity partially mediated the effects of income-welfare satisfaction and competency on work engagement, with higher values and shares of competency. (3) When family support was high, the positive effect of income-welfare satisfaction on professional identity was significant, and the mediating role of professional identity between income-welfare satisfaction and work engagement was moderated by family support.

Sociocultural and perceived public image of nurses among nursing students: the mediating role of self-concept

BACKGROUND

Studying the public perception of nurses among nursing students is vital in establishing strategic solutions to recruit and retain more students in nursing programs and to contain nurses in the health care system.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the mediating role of self-concept in the relationship between sociocultural and perceived public image of nurses.

METHODS

This study employed a correlational approach using convenience sampling of 1390 participants. This study was conducted at six large universities in three regions of Saudi Arabia (central, northern, and eastern). Student nurses in their second to fourth years of study were included as participants, with an 89.7% response rate. Data were collected from January to April 2023.

RESULTS

A significant positive relationship was observed between sociocultural factors and self-concept (r = .685, p = .0001). In addition, there was a significant positive relationship between self-concept and public image (PI) (r = .352, p value = 0.0001). Furthermore, there was a significant positive relationship between sociocultural and public image (r = .456, p = .0001); sociocultural had a direct effect on self-concept (β = 0.324, SE = 0.098, t = 9.429, p < .0001) and public image (β = 0.605, SE = 0.038, t = 22.617, p < .0001). Furthermore, sociocultural had an indirect effect on public image through self-concept (H6) (β = 0.389, SE = 0.123, t = 12.766, p < .0001).

DISCUSSION

The study findings suggest that nursing school programs should take measures to foster a supportive environment that promotes self-concept and public image, while also being mindful of the sociocultural background. This would also open the scope for further research on the matter involving multiple centers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests the need for programs to boost self-concept and public image that consider sociocultural influences. These 'findings have crucial implications for student nurses' social and psychological wellbeing as they improve the understanding of how sociocultural affects self-concept and public image.

An investigation into the present status and influencing factors of nurse retention in grade-a tertiary general hospitals in Shanxi Province within the framework of the magnet hospital concept

BACKGROUND

The attrition of nursing staff significantly contributes to the shortage of healthcare professionals. This study entailed an examination of the propensity of nurses to sustain employment within Grade-A tertiary general hospitals and the various influencing factors.

METHODS

A total of 2,457 nurses from three grade-A tertiary general hospitals were surveyed. The survey instruments included a general information questionnaire, a scale measuring their willingness to continue working, and a Chinese version of the Magnet Hospital Factor scale.

RESULTS

The scores of the willingness to continue working scale and the Magnet Hospital Factor scale were 21.53 ± 4.52 and 145.46 ± 25.82, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the scores of willingness of nurses to continue working across various factors, including the department, age, marital status, family location, length of service as nurses, professional title, position, and employment type, upon comparison (P < 0.001). The correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the willingness of nurses to continue working and the magnet hospital factors, with a correlation coefficient of 0.523 (P < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that department, length of service as nurses, professional title, position, average monthly income, number of night shifts, medical care relationship, educational support, and nursing manager support among the magnet hospital factors were important predictors of willingness to continue working (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The willingness of nurses to continue working in grade-A tertiary general hospitals in Shanxi Province was determined to be at an upper-middle level. The magnet status of grade-A tertiary general hospitals needs to be improved, and there are many factors that influenced willingness of nurses to continue working. To cultivate a more favorable environment and bolster nurse recruitment and retention, all healthcare institutions should strive to establish a magnet nursing environment, thereby fostering the robust development of the nursing team.

Nurses' perspectives on professional self-concept and its influencing factors: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Nurses with a strong professional self-concept tend to exhibit a positive mindset and strong work engagement, delivering high-quality patient care. Although numerous quantitative studies have examined the factors impacting professional self-concept, there remains a limited exploration of these factors from the perspective of nurses themselves.

METHODS

This qualitative descriptive study uses the PERMA theory and Social Cognitive Theory as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 nurses from six public hospitals in China. The data were analyzed thematically using a combination of inductive and deductive approaches.

RESULTS

Nurses' understanding of professional self-concept could be divided into four categories: professional identity, competence, care, and knowledge. Factors influencing nurses' professional self-concept were categorized into eight subthemes in three domains: (1) personal factors, including psychological qualities and attitude towards the nursing profession; (2) occupational-related behavioral factors, including role-oriented behavior and knowledge-oriented behavior; and (3) work environment and external factors, including external evaluation and perceptions of nurses, time allocation, nursing work tasks, work atmosphere, school education, and perceived supports.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that, although nurses had different personal experiences, their perceptions of professional self-concept were similar. Nurses' professional self-concept is a multidimensional concept and involves various factors, such as personality, work-related characteristics, environment, and family. To thrive in a nursing career, nurses must discern the factors that can enhance or hinder their professional self-concept. By identifying and adjusting these factors, personalized support and positive interventions can be tailored to meet nurses' specific needs, which ultimately nurtures their professional development.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered on December 14, 2022, in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200066699) as part of our ongoing study.

Socialisation of children to nurse and nursing images: A Goffman-inspired thematic analysis of children's picture books in a Swedish context

Picture books are often part of children's socialisation processes, contributing to the children forming images of the world, including ideas about (categories of) people, such as nurses. The study aims to explore how nurses/nursing are portrayed in children's picture books in a Swedish context. Through a systematic search, 44 books were included for analysis using thematic analysis and a theoretical lens inspired by Goffman. The results were presented in three themes: 'The costume characterised and designated nurses', 'Nurses and nursing were defined through specific activities and accessories', and 'Nurses' role as caregivers and decency practitioners'. The results showed that nurses were depicted/described in varied contexts, performing their roles mainly front stage in 'hands-on work' in close contact with patients and relatives. Nurses were attributed different accessories and personality characteristics. Nurses/nursing were generally set within a healthcare context, oftentimes within an overarching medical logic. Historical depictions of nurses' uniforms still appeared as a signifier for nurses/nursing. The presentation of nurses/nursing might have potential implications on children's understanding of and for reputations of nurses/nursing in the long term as primary socialisation and related understandings of the (sub)world(s) are deeply rooted in humans.

Understanding and barriers of professional identity formation among current students and recent graduates in nursing and midwifery in low resource settings in two universities: a qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

In the changing healthcare landscape, a strong professional identity serves as a cornerstone for nurses. Therefore, transformative educational approaches that include professional judgement, reasoning, critical self-evaluation and a sense of accountability are required to foster professional identity. We explored the understanding and barriers to professional identity formation among recent graduates and students of midwifery and nursing in Uganda.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative research design employing focus groups was used to collect data from student nurses and midwives from Makerere University, Mbarara University, and recent graduates in nursing and midwifery programs attending their internship training at Mulago National and Mbarara Regional Referral hospitals. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

A total of 33 students and 26 recent graduates participated in the study. The participants who reported understanding Professional identity in nursing and midwifery mentioned that these are principles, characteristics and values, competencies, ethics and code of conduct, sense of belonging and professionalism that define the nursing profession and practice. Barriers to the formation of professional identity were provided under two themes: education and health service delivery. The education theme included subthemes like nursing educators not working in clinical settings and inadequate clinical mentoring. Under the health service delivery theme, subthemes emerged included high workload, lack of interprofessional collaboration, many levels of nursing and midwifery practice, no clear scope of practice for different levels of nursing and midwifery practice, Low esteem among nurses and midwives, media and lack of policy implementation.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Participants were knowledgeable about professional identity in nursing/midwifery. They faced several challenges and barriers in professional identity formation during their training and internship. We recommend a need to streamline the scope of practice and enhance clinical mentorship and engagement of leadership in nursing in developing professional identity among students.

Development of Adolescents' perceptions of the nursing image scale and evaluation of its psychometric properties: A methodological study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It is important to assess the perception of the nursing image among adolescents, the group closest to the career decision, to enhance their view of the nursing image. This study was conducted to develop the Adolescents' Perceptions of Nursing Image Scale (APNIS) and evaluate its psychometric properties.

METHOD

The study has a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational, and methodological design. The study was conducted with 614 adolescents aged 12-18 years in Turkey between October 15, 2022, and December 15, 2022. The data were analyzed using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient, Barlett's test, factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient, split-half analysis, item sum statistics, Hotelling's T2, and test-retest analysis.

RESULTS

As a result of the explanatory factor analysis, the items on the scale were collected under six sub-dimensions, and the scale explained 62.843% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit was adequate. The total internal consistency Cronbach alpha value of the scale is 0.90, and the sub-dimension Cronbach alpha values are between 0.70 and 0.90. The Spearman-Brown coefficient of the scale was 0.94, the Guttman-split-half coefficient was 0.94, Hotelling's T2 value was 373.829, F = 9.510, and p < 0.001. As a result of the Tukey summability analysis, F = 0.431 and p > 0.05, the scale was found to be summable. The test-retest result of the scale was r = 0.899.

CONCLUSION

The 38-item APNIS is a valid and reliable tool that assesses adolescents' perceptions of the nursing image.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The scale, including universal items about the nursing image, is easy and practical to use.

Graduate entry nursing students' development of professional nursing self: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Accelerated graduate entry nursing programmes require students to rapidly socialise to the profession. Professional identity is an important element of becoming a nurse.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to synthesise published literature reporting the development of professional identity, belongingness and self-concept as a nurse in students enrolled in a pre-registration graduate entry nursing programme.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

SETTING

Graduate entry nursing programmes.

PARTICIPANTS

Graduate entry nursing students.

METHOD

Following a pre-registered protocol, we searched electronic databases for publications investigating graduate entry nursing students' development of professional identity, belongingness and self-concept. Screening, data extraction and analysis were initially in duplicate and independent, and then by consensus.

RESULTS

Of the 871 records identified, twenty met the inclusion criteria. Publications were from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK. We identified one overarching theme of 'professional nursing self', with four sub-themes: 1) professional socialisation, 2) professional self-concept, 3) developing nursing agency, and 4) identity formation. Socialisation into nursing and belongingness to the profession occurred concurrently as students moved through their programme of learning. Due to the accelerated nature of the programmes, rapid professional socialisation was required, supported by positive relationships in the clinical setting. Strategies that enhanced belongingness and wellbeing enabled students to feel connected to the profession.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of professional identity in graduate entry nursing students is impacted by their rapid professional transition through an accelerated programme. Students' growing sense of nursing agency is embodied in their experiences of thinking and acting as a nurse. Their previous professional identity is then reconstituted in their new graduate selves; educational programmes support this transition.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Scoping review finds professional identity development in graduate entry nursing students is rapid in accelerated preregistration degrees #belonging #connection.

Application effect study of a combination of TeamSTEPPS with modularization teaching in the context of clinical instruction in trauma care

To explore the effect of a combination of Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) with modularization teaching in the context of clinical instruction in trauma care. A total of 244 nursing students who participated in clinical practice in orthopaedic wards from March 2020 to April 2022 were divided into two groups that received the same trauma care teaching content. The control group (n = 119) used the traditional teaching approach, and the experimental group (n = 125) utilized a combination of TeamSTEPPS with a modularization teaching model. A questionnaire was used to assess students' theoretical knowledge, practical skills, self-concepts and professional benefits after one month with the goal of determining their end-of-course performance. The theoretical knowledge scores obtained by the control group and the experimental group were 89.56 ± 4.06 and 91.62 ± 2.84, respectively, and these results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Students preferred the combination of TeamSTEPPS with the modularization teaching model to the traditional instructional method in terms of practical skills, professional self-concepts and professional benefits (P < 0.05). The application of the combination of TeamSTEPPS with modularization teaching in the context of clinical instruction in trauma care made significant contributions to nursing students' mastery of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enhanced their sense level of professional identity, instilled a correct occupational ideology in such students, and enhanced the professional benefits they were able to obtain.

Core competence of midwives in township hospitals and its influencing factors-A cross-sectional study

Objective

This study aimed to assess the core competence of midwives in township hospitals through a self-assessment questionnaire. The relationship between professional identity and core competence and the factors influencing midwives' core competence was also investigated.

Method

Convenience sampling was conducted in 77 township hospitals in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China, with 150 participants. The questionnaires were distributed online in November 2021. We conducted a descriptive data analysis, a correlation analysis of the two variables of professional identity and core competencies, and multivariate linear regression to analyse the influencing factors, including the sociodemographic information, the Midwife Core Competence Scale, and the Nurses' Professional Identity Scale scores.

Results

The mean score for the core competence was 206.43 (±37.45) out of 270. The highest score was for pregnancy care (3.97 ± 0.70) and the lowest was for newborn care (3.72 ± 0.78). The independent sample t-test results and one-way analysis of variance showed that qualifications, midwifery training situation, and midwifery working years had differential effects on midwives' core competencies (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that qualifications, midwifery working years, and level of professional identity were influencing factors (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The core competencies of midwives in township hospitals were lower than those reported in other studies. Advancements in education, midwifery working years, and professional identity may increase midwives' core competencies.

Explaining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Massage Therapists in Australia and Canada: A Mixed Methods Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of rapid change and uncertainty, with individual jurisdictions within countries implementing a variety of preventative measures. At the onset of the pandemic, as little was known about how COVID-19 was transmitted, restrictions, such as lockdowns, were implemented to prevent further spread of this virus. In many jurisdictions, massage therapists were deemed as nonessential for a period. This disruption to their livelihood, as a professional group and without autonomy to decide, was unprecedented. This prompted the question as to whether this experience had impacted massage therapists' professional identity. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used and massage therapists in Australia and Canada were recruited to participate. Results from a quantitative questionnaire completed by 649 respondents and from 31 semistructured interviews from a subset of the questionnaire participants were used in the mixed analysis. Results: Massage therapists, impacted by the pandemic, experienced a discord between what it means to be a massage therapist, providing patient-centered care and the public health initiatives implemented during the pandemic. This discord occurred in multiple situations and the type of discord was influenced by a number of factors, including how therapists identified themselves within the workforce (i.e., as a health care provider or a service provider). Conclusion: This study sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted massage therapists' professional identity. Massage therapists reported that the pandemic impacted their professional identity through a lack of congruence and discord between their identity-constituting beliefs and what it means to be a massage therapist. The sequela to this discord was therapists experiencing different types of moral distress and or moral injury. Future research is needed to determine the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on massage therapists.

Stakeholder Recommendations for Sports-Focused Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum: A Qualitative Study

Background

Growing demand for nurses in the sports medicine field has raised awareness in preparing prospective nurses with the basic concepts of sports nursing. Recognizing this need, nursing study program need to continue to evolve and the first step begin with the analysis of the major concepts related to various domains involved in the curriculum. Stakeholders are the most important people to get involved in the curriculum development process.

Objective

The purpose of this paper is to explore stakeholders' recommendation for establishing a strategy that would best enable the development of sports-focused undergraduate nursing curriculum.

Methods

We conducted a focus group discussion using a a series of open-ended questions. Nineteen stakeholders participated in this study. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis.

Results

The results of this study found three themes consisting of sports nursing, advanced sports nursing, and sports in the discipline of nursing. On the theme of sports nursing, several sub-themes were obtained, the concept of sports nursing, the basics of sports physiology, adaptation of physiology to sports, psychology and sports injuries, problems in sports, education in sports, pathology in sports, and assistance in sports injuries.

Conclusion

Identifying, understanding, and managing Stakeholder involvement in curriculum development is the main driver for creating nursing study programs that focus on sports nursing. Nursing can contribute to sports and create more specific areas of expertise. Sports nursing.

Exploring knowledge gaps and research needs in respiratory therapy: a qualitative description study

Background

Respiratory therapists (RTs) are expected to stay updated on technology, treatments, research, and best practices to provide high-quality patient care. They must possess the skills to interpret, evaluate, and contribute to evidence-based practices. However, RTs often rely on research from other professions that may not fully address their specific needs, leading to insufficient guidance for their practice. Additionally, there has been no exploration of knowledge gaps and research needs from RTs' perspectives to enhance their practice and patient outcomes. The research questions guiding this study were: (i) what are the perceived practice-oriented knowledge gaps? and (ii) what are the necessary research priorities across the respiratory therapy profession according to experts in respiratory therapy?

Methods

A qualitative description study was conducted using semi-structured focus groups with 40 expert RTs from seven areas of practice across Canada. Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

We identified four major themes relating to what these experts perceive as the practice-oriented gaps and necessary research priorities across the respiratory therapy profession: 1) system-level impact of RTs, 2) optimizing respiratory therapy practices, 3) scholarship on the respiratory therapy profession and 4) respiratory therapy education.

Discussion

The findings establish a fundamental understanding of the current gaps and the specific needs of RTs that require further investigation. Participants strongly emphasized the significance of research priorities that consider the breadth and depth of the respiratory therapy profession, which underscores the complex nature of respiratory therapy and its application in practice.

Conclusion

The unique insights garnered from this study highlight the knowledge gaps and research needs specific to RTs. These findings pave the way for further exploration, discourse, and research aimed at understanding the specific contributions and requirements of RTs.