Purpose
This study aimed to provide an overview of telomere length (TL) as an emerging biomarker in adult healthcare. Additionally, some measurement considerations and future directions for its application in adult nursing research were described. Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted. Results TL is a widely known indicator of aging and aging-related diseases at the molecular level. Throughout the literature, TL has been established as a useful biomarker that is indicative of aging-related diseases such as cancer, metabolic diseases, and psychological distress and their resulting health conditions. The main pathway of TL shortening appears as an interaction between genetic and environmental factors through a mechanism commonly known as oxidative stress and inflammation. TL attrition may be slowed down, stopped, or even lengthened by interventions such as mindfulness, meditation, exercise, lifestyle modifications, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which have been demonstrated to have a positive effect on TL. As these interventions have been widely applied in adult nursing research, the value and scope of adult nursing science can be expanded by using TL in such research. Conclusion TL has been shown to be associated with age-related diseases, which are mainly studied in adult nursing research. Therefore, it is necessary to explore various nursing phenomena using TL as a biomarker through adult nursing research and to develop nursing interventions that have a positive effect on TL.

Citations

• A biobehavioral theoretical framework based on the mechanism of cellular aging for nursing interventions to promote autonomic balance
  Nahyun Kim, Jooyeon Park
  Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2024; 26(2): 99.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to suggest directions for legislation regarding medical support tasks in the Nursing Act to promote the advancement of nursing.
Methods
This study reviewed the history of medical support nurses in South Korea and the educational programs for advanced practice providers, both domestically and internationally.
Results
Nurses have performed medical support tasks traditionally carried out by physicians, but legal controversies have persisted. As a result of the escalation of conflicts surrounding policies aiming to increase the physician workforce, training doctors left hospitals. This prompted the initiation of pilot programs allowing nurses to legally engage in medical support tasks, culminating in the enactment of the Nursing Act in September 2024. Internationally, advanced practice providers such as advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physician assistants (PAs) undergo graduate-level education and certification. Since Korea lacks a PA system, integrating medical support tasks within the APN framework would be preferable. Achieving this will require absorbing clinical practice nurses (referred to as PA nurses) into the APN system, implementing government-supported education programs to address regional disparities, and establishing reimbursement policies for APNs.
Conclusion
With the implementation of the Nursing Act, a long-term approach is needed to establish professional qualifications, accreditation, education, training, examination, and regulatory systems. A comprehensive discussion should be undertaken to develop an optimal workforce, ensuring the delivery of safe and high-quality healthcare services to patients and the public.

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the characteristics and efficacy of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) interventions for preventing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in critically ill patients. Methods: The CENTRAL, Embase, OVID, CINAHL, KMbase, KoreaMed, and KoreaScience databases were searched from January 7 to 11, 2023. The search included all records from the inception of each database up to January 2023, with publication language restrictions to English and Korean. Three reviewers independently carried out the entire process, which included data search, quality assessment, and data extraction. Results: Out of 1066 articles, six Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included. One of the four studies that reported on the incidence of DVT, and one of the six studies that measured the incidence of Pulmonary Embolism (PE), found that IPC alone was effective in reducing the incidence of DVT and PE. One of the four studies that reported on VTE incidence demonstrated a significant reduction in VTE incidence with a triple intervention of IPC, anticoagulants, and elastic compression stockings compared to a combined intervention of anticoagulants and graduated compression stockings. Four studies that reported data on the incidence of bleeding reported no effect on reducing bleeding. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IPC interventions may reduce the incidence of DVT as a preventive strategy in critically ill patients. Further RCTs are necessary to evaluate the effect of IPC interventions on DVT prevention in this patient population and to provide robust evidence for critical care nursing.

Purpose
This study aims to confirms the relationship between nurses' professional autonomy, job satisfaction, perceived patient-safety culture, and patient-safety management activities; it also identifies factors that influence their patient-safety management activities.
Methods
A cross-sectional study design was adopted. The participants were 164 nurses from at five hospitals in two G provinces, Korea, who participated in the study voluntarily. Data were collected between November and December 2022 via a 120-question structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS/WINdows software version 25.0. The data were measured by frequency, percentage, and mean and standard deviation, using an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis.
Results
The average age of the participants was 35.54±8.42 years; 143 (87.2%) were women. The following factors influenced their patient-safety management activities: level of education (β=.16, p=.018), experience of patient-safety education (β=.15, p=.014), and perceived patient-safety culture (β=.56, p<.001). The explanatory power of the nurses' patient-safety management activities was 44.0%.
Conclusion
Hospital managers should enable nurses to carry out patient-safety procedures competently by providing continuous patient-safety education; they should also revise regulations and systems to promote good patient-safety management practices and create an environment that supports patient safety. In addition, a program should be designed and implemented to improve nurses' perceived patient-safety culture.

Citations

• Patient Safety Culture and Perceived Self-Efficacy in Nurses from Two Health Institucions in Lima-Peru
  Paola Barbara Pinedo Albines, Monica Elisa Meneses-La-Riva
  Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review.2025; 5(4): e05994.     CrossRef
• The relationship between attitudes towards professional autonomy and nurse–nurse collaboration: A cross‐sectional study
  Merve Tarhan
  International Nursing Review.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Standardizing Clinical Nursing Practice and Delivery Method for the Management of United States-Bound Refugees in Uganda
  Shanna Miko, Sarah J. Hoffman, Mathika Thongkhamkitcharoen, Susan B. Dicker, Warren Dalal, Alexander Klosovsky, Erin M. Mann, MPH, Michelle Mathiason, Shailey Prasad
  Journal for Nurses in Professional Development.2025; 41(2): 108.     CrossRef
• Job satisfaction among hospital nurses: An updated literature review
  Yang Zhao, Hong Lu, Xiu Zhu, Guihua Xiao
  International Journal of Nursing Studies.2025; 162: 104964.     CrossRef
• Nurses' Autonomy and Its Determinants in Clinical Practice: A Scoping Review
  Hani Tuasikal, Inge Dhamanti, Mahmudah
  Health Leadership and Quality of Life.2025; 4: 700.     CrossRef

Purpose
Middle-aged women often experience weight gain, particularly as visceral fat, due to hormonal changes associated with menopause. Visceral fat, which accumulates in the abdomen, poses significant risks to cardiometabolic health. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the cardiometabolic risks associated with Visceral Fat Obesity (VFO) and Subcutaneous Fat Obesity (SFO) in middle-aged Korean women and to identify factors that influence VFO.
Methods
Women aged 40 to 64 with overweight or obesity were recruited from March to April 2019. The study involved anthropometric measurements, fasting blood tests, and low-volume abdominal computed tomography. Additionally, participants provided self-reported sociodemographic, health-related, and lifestyle information, including Physical Activity (PA) and dietary intake.
Results
Of all participants, 70.8% were post-menopausal, and 55.1% had VFO. Those with VFO exhibited significantly higher mean values for waist circumference, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and the Framingham risk score compared to those with SFO. The factors influencing VFO were age (odds ratio (OR)=1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.032~1.247), body mass index (OR=1.47; 95% CI, 1.151 ~1.875), days of vigorous PA per week (OR=0.42; 95% CI, 0.244~0.735), and intake of animal calcium (OR=0.99; 95% CI, 0.988~0.997).
Conclusion
The findings indicate that middle-aged women with VFO face increased cardiometabolic risks. Since menopause is inevitable in women, targeting modifiable behaviors to reduce weight, particularly visceral fat, is crucial for lowering cardiometabolic risk.

Purpose
This study aimed to identify nursing graduate students’ perception and behavior related to climate change and health and the factors affecting them. Methods: This secondary analysis used research data on the development of a Korean version of Climate Health and Nursing Tool. The participants were 220 graduate nursing students who were currently working. The dependent variable, which is the climate-health related perception and behavior, consisted of 20 items on awareness, concern, motivation, behaviors at home, and behaviors at work related to climate change. Results: The mean score on the climate-health related perception and behavior was 73.52, which ranged from 41 to 100. Multiple linear regression showed that climate-health related perception and behavior were predicted by an optimistic attitude toward climate change response (β=.20, p=.002), experience in climate change- related extreme events (β=.18, p=.010), number of exposure pathways for climate change-related information (β=.17, p=.008), education level (β=.16, p=.015), and current work area (β=.15, p=.027). Conclusion: An optimistic attitude toward climate change response was identified as the most influential factor that explained nursing students’ climate-health related perception and behavior. Interventions that reinforce positive feelings about climate change-related behaviors and an optimistic attitude that climate change can be adapted to and mitigated through appropriate behaviors would significantly improve climate-health related perception and behavior.

Citations

• Climate change perceptions and behaviors among Korean nurses: The role of organizational initiatives
  Dukhyun Back, Kihye Han, Jieun Kim, Hyang Baek
  Nursing Outlook.2025; 73(3): 102383.     CrossRef
• Factors related to perceptions of climate health impact and climate action: Focusing on the Health Belief Model
  Hansol Lee, Jaehee Kim, Yuri Lee
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2024; 41(2): 31.     CrossRef
• Nurses' Perceptions and Behaviours Regarding Climate Change and Health: A Quantile Regression Analysis
  Min Kyung Park, Seoyoung Baek, Da Woon Jeong, Gwang Suk Kim
  Journal of Advanced Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the effects of mobile health applications in older adults with dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and to quantify the effect size of these interventions through meta-analysis.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, with a total of seven databases searched on April 18, 2023. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tools. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g within a random effects model, and subgroup analyses were also performed.
Results
A total of 10 studies were included in the systematic review, and six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Intervention groups exhibited a statistically significant improvement in cognitive function (Hedges’ g=0.33, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=0.09~0.56, p=.007). Subgroup analyses revealed that older adults with MCI (Hedges’ g=0.41, 95% CI=0.12~0.69, p=.006) and interventions lasting more than 4 weeks (Hedges’ g=0.47, 95% CI=0.09~0.85, p=.016) demonstrated a significant cognitive improvement.
Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that mobile health applications may represent a suitable approach for improving cognitive function in older adults with MCI, emphasizing the need for at least a four-week intervention. These findings underscore the potential of mobile health interventions as a practical option for cognitive improvement in the early stages of cognitive decline.

Purpose
This study aimed to explore the roles, facilitators, barriers, and future directions of rapid response teams (RRTs) in Korean hospitals from the perspectives of both RRT and ward nurses.
Methods
Focus group interviews were conducted with 10 RRT nurses and 10 ward nurses across three hospitals that employed RRTs in Korea from August 2021 to February 2022. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify themes relevant to RRT operations.
Results
The analysis yielded 10 subtopics and 4 main themes: the exploration of RRT's essential roles, the facilitators and barriers impacting RRT operations, and the construction of a blueprint for future systems. Notable barriers included unclear job assignments without legal safeguards, conflict arising from hierarchical structures, and insufficient organizational support. The following facilitators were identified: transformed perceptions through collaborative efforts, organizational recognition and support, and self-reinforcement by demonstrating expertise.
Conclusion
This study highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing RRTs in Korean hospitals, including the need for clear role definitions, effective interprofessional collaboration, and organizational support. Based on these findings, future efforts should focus on establishing legal frameworks that define the scope of practice for RRT nurses.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of digital literacy, attitudes towards internet health information, and e-health literacy on health promotion behavior among adults.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were collected from 260 adults aged 19 and older from two provinces. Data were collected from September 1 to 22, 2020. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis.
Results
Hierarchic multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of the analyzed variables on participants' health promotion progress older age, better self-perceived health status, frequency of exercise (≥3/week), frequency of exercise (1~2/week), higher digital literacy scores, and no smoking history were associated with a higher degree of health promotion behavior, with an explanatory power of 37.0%.
Conclusion
Based on these results, in order to improve health promotion behavior in adults, it is necessary to pay more attention to younger people, those who do not exercise regularly, and smokers. In particular, as digital literacy was found to be a factor influencing health promotion behavior in adults, it is necessary to consider strategies that are tailored towards improving digital literacy in adults from all age groups and to conduct systematic education on digital devices.

Citations

• The Effect of Digital Health Literacy, Self-Efficacy on Self-Care Behaviors among Community-Dwelling Elderly: Focusing on Gyeongsangbuk-do
  Hyojin Son, Youngran Han
  Research in Community and Public Health Nursing.2025; 36: 59.     CrossRef
• The Parallels, Pearls, and Perils of Health and Genomic Literacy
  Rebecca Kronk, Kim Subasic
  Nursing Clinics of North America.2025; 60(2): 229.     CrossRef

Purpose
This descriptive survey study aimed to identify the influences of person-centered perioperative nursing and patient safety competency on patient safety management activities among operating room nurses.
Methods
Data were collected from June 14 to July 14, 2021, covering 158 operating room nurses working at six general hospitals. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression to identify the influencing factors of patient safety management activities.
Results
The mean scores of person-centered perioperative nursing, patient safety competency, and patient safety management activities were 3.86, 3.88, and 4.55, respectively. These scores increased with increased age and clinical experience. Person-centered perioperative nursing (β=.22, p=.014) and patient safety competency (β=.22, p=.014) influenced patient safety management activities.
Conclusion
Therefore, to improve the patient safety management activities of operating room nurses, an efficient nursing work environment must be created along with systematic and continuous education and programs to enhance person-centered perioperative nursing and patient safety competency.

Citations

• Impact of Delirium-Related Stress, Self-Efficacy, Person-Centred Care on Delirium Nursing Performance Among Nurses in Trauma Intensive Care Units: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey Study
  Ga-Hee Seong, Hyung-Ran Park
  Healthcare.2025; 13(11): 1243.     CrossRef
• Novice Perioperative Nurses’ Perceptions of Nursing Competence and Strategies Used to Enhance Competence: A Phenomenographic Study
  Seo Jin Kwon, Sung Ok Chang, Boo Hyo Park
  AORN Journal.2025; 121(3): 186.     CrossRef
• Effects of Clinical Nurses Critical Reflection Competency, Professional Pride, and Person-Centered Care Practice on Patient Safety Management Activities
  Subin Lee, Sujin Shin
  Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing.2023; 16(3): 87.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study analyzed nursing students’ guided reflective journals following simulation-based practice using standardized patients for the initial care of older adults experiencing falls. It aimed to provide a deeper understanding of how changes in students’ thinking occurred through the learning experience and to describe their levels of reflection.
Methods
An eight-hour simulation-based education program was implemented during a geriatric clinical practicum. The program consisted of orientation, pre-learning activities, simulation practice, and a wrap-up session. Reflective journals from 53 third-year nursing students were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Results
Fifty-three third-year nursing students participated and submitted reflective journals. Three categories emerged from the analysis: “preparing for simulation-based practice,” which involved students setting care plans and employing observation; (2) “experiencing patient fall management through simulation-based practice,” where students actively engaged in realistic fall management scenarios; and (3) “critical reflection after simulation-based practice,” encompassing students’ acquisition of new insights and their personal growth. In the first category, students prepared for patient encounters by developing care plans and conducting observations. The second category highlighted realistic fall management scenarios utilizing standardized patients. The third category focused on personal growth through critical reflection. In the 53 reflective journals (185,021 words), level 3 reflections accounted for 31.6% of the content, while level 5, the highest reflection level, comprised only 8.6%.
Conclusion
Post-simulation reflective journaling stimulated critical thinking and self-assessment, enabling nursing students to analyze and reflect deeply on clinical practices. This process reinforced their knowledge base and behavioral foundations essential for clinical practice.

Purpose
The purposes of this study were to develop a prediction model for pressure injury using a machine learning algorithm and to integrate it into clinical practice.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of tertiary hospitals in Seoul, Korea. It analyzed patients in 12 departments where many pressure injuries occurred, including 8 general wards and 4 intensive care units from January 2018 to May 2022. In total, 182 variables were included in the model development. A pressure injury prediction model was developed using the gradient boosting algorithm, logistic regression, and decision tree methods, and it was compared to the Braden scale.
Results
Among the 1,389,660 general ward cases, there were 451 cases of pressure injuries, and among 139,897 intensive care unit cases, there were 297 cases of pressure injuries. Among the tested prediction models, the gradient boosting algorithm showed the highest predictive performance. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the gradient boosting algorithm's pressure injury prediction model in the general ward and intensive care unit was 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.83~0.89) and 0.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.79~0.87), respectively. This model was integrated into the electronic health record system to show each patient's probability for pressure injury occurrence, and the risk factors calculated every hour.
Conclusion
The prediction model developed using the gradient boosting algorithm exhibited higher performance than the Braden scale. A clinical decision support system that automatically assesses pressure injury risk allows nurses to focus on patients at high risk for pressure injuries without increasing their workload.

Purpose
The objective of this study was to ascertain the level of life satisfaction among baby boomers in South Korea, as well as the factors that influence it.
Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis and descriptive research using data from the 2020 Korea National Survey of Elderly. From a total of 10,097 individuals, we analyzed the responses of 605 who provided feedback on life satisfaction, applying sample weights for accuracy. Data analysis was performed using hierarchical multiple regression in the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program.
Results
The study's participants comprised 61.8% women, 80.2% individuals with a living spouse, and 54.8% high school graduates, and the participants had an average subjective health status score of 3.77 points. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed several significant factors impacting life satisfaction. These included the presence or absence of a spouse (p<.001), education level (p<.001), subjective health status (p<.001), experience of suicidal thoughts after the age of 60 (p=.004), and use of a smartphone or tablet (p=.037), degree of social respect (p<.001) and the degree of preparation for death (p=.001). The overall explanatory power for life satisfaction was 57.5%.
Conclusion
The life satisfaction of baby boomers did not differ greatly from that of previous generations of older adults. A future longitudinal study should observe changes in older adults' life satisfaction. Additionally, it is important to explore variations in life satisfaction across different age groups, especially given the increasing longevity of older adults.

Citations

• Deficits in facial emotion recognition and cognitive function among baby boomers
  Hyunsan Cho, Hee-Jin Park, Yoon Hee Park, Intae Hwang, Hyo Jin Kang
  Acta Psychologica.2025; 253: 104738.     CrossRef
• Purposes of Internet Use and Its Impacts on Physical and Psychological Health of Korean Older Adults
  Gyeong-Suk Jeon, Kyungwon Choi
  Healthcare.2024; 12(2): 244.     CrossRef

Purpose
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of aromatherapy interventions on stroke symptoms in stroke patients.
Methods
This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Relevant studies published between 2004 and 2022 were searched in the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, ERIC, and RISS databases. The review included randomized and non-randomized studies of stroke patients who received aromatherapy interventions targeting stroke symptoms. The extracted literature was evaluated via the ROB 2 and ROBINS-1 quality appraisal checklists and visualized using a risk-of-bias visualization tool.
Results
The review included five randomized controlled trials and five quasi-experimental studies. The results showed that aromatherapy, administered through massage, inhalation, acupressure, mouth care, and olfactory stimulation, was effective in alleviating pain, constipation, oral health, motor power, muscle strength, balance, fatigue, and sleep quality. Aromatherapy also demonstrated beneficial effects in reducing depression, stress, delirium, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, serum cortisol, and antioxidants, while enhancing happiness, body temperature, and quality of life. A meta-analysis of mean differences in post-test results revealed that three studies reported a significant effect on pain, with an effect size of 1.85 (95% CI, 0.18~3.51).
Conclusion
Aromatherapy had positive effects on physical, physiological, psychological, cognitive, and integrative health outcomes. We recommend the use of aromatherapy in stroke patients to improve pain relief and health outcomes.

Citations

• Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
  S. Sowmiya, Rukaiah Fatma Begum, L. S. Dhivya, Praveen Rajendran, N. Harikrishnan, Ankul Singh S
  Frontiers in Pharmacology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
Falls and medication errors are the most common patient safety incidents globally. Kolb’s experiential learning theory supports the application of cognitive learning in clinical settings. This study examined the effectiveness of Experiential Learning–Based Fall and Medication Error Prevention Education (EFMPE), utilizing virtual reality and room of errors.
Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 28 fourth-year nursing students (15 experimental, 13 control). The experimental group participated in EFMPE from February 1 to 6, 2024, comprising six sessions of 2 hours each. The control group received traditional lectures. Safety control confidence and course interest were measured before and immediately after the intervention; safety control confidence was reassessed 6 weeks later.
Results
Both groups showed immediate improvement; however, only the experimental group sustained increased safety control confidence after 6 weeks (Wald χ²=13.21, p<.001). Course interest was significantly higher in the experimental group post-intervention (Wald χ²=10.64, p=.001).
Conclusion
These preliminary findings suggest that EFMPE potentially supports the prevention of falls and medication errors in clinical practice.

Purpose
This study identified and compared the pain and associated symptoms of stable coronary artery diseases and acute coronary syndrome.
Methods
The study participants comprised 180 patients with stable coronary artery diseases and acute coronary syndrome. The data were collected from August 25, 2020, to October 30, 2020.
Results
We found that 77.2% of participants had pain and associated symptoms, and 85.6% had one or more associated symptoms. In the associated symptoms, patients with acute coronary syndrome expressed squeezing, and patients with stable coronary artery diseases expressed expanding. Patients with stable coronary artery diseases reported increased pain during exercise. Moreover, although there was no statistically significant difference, drinking, eating, and cold weather often exacerbated pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The average pain intensity of patients with stable coronary artery diseases was moderate (4.09±2.79). The average pain intensity of acute coronary syndrome patients was severe (5.68±3.34). Patients with acute coronary syndrome mainly reported cold sweat and loss of consciousness. Palpitations and dizziness were prevalent complaints in patients with stable coronary artery diseases.
Conclusion
Based on this study's results, a nursing assessment can be performed when managing patients with coronary artery disease. In addition, a nursing assessment protocol could be developed based on the analysis results regarding pain and associated symptoms in patients with stable coronary artery diseases and acute coronary syndrome.

Citations

• BATF alleviates ox-LDL-induced HCAEC injury by regulating SIRT1 expression in coronary heart disease
  Bei Tian, Jingyu Ji, Can Jin, Antoine Fakhry AbdelMassih
  PLOS ONE.2024; 19(12): e0306514.     CrossRef
• Development of an Initial Screening Scale to Detect Patients With Chest Pain From Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Emergency Department
  Kyeongmin Jang, Kwisoon Choe
  Journal of Clinical Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the turnover rate of nurses working at regional trauma centers is 27.6%, which is almost double the turnover rate of 13.8% of all nurses in 2018. The turnover of nurses lowers the morale of the remaining nurses and increases their workload, negatively affecting hospital operation. This study aimed to investigate the mediation effect of grit on the relationship between the working environment and intention to stay at work among regional trauma center nurses, to reduce the turnover rate and improve their intention to stay at work.
Methods
The participants were 185 nurses with more than six months of clinical experience working at 16 regional trauma centers in South Korea. The data were collected using structured questionnaires from July 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022, and analysis was conducted using SPSS/WIN 25.0 programs.
Results
The intention to stay at work among regional trauma center nurses was different depending on age (F=6.32, p=.002), marital status (F=-3.66, p<.001), education level (F=5.29, p=.006), and total clinical experience (F=4.22, p=.007). Grit was found to have a complete mediating effect on the relationship between work environment and intention to stay at work (Z=4.49, p<.001).
Conclusion
To lower the turnover rate of trauma nurses and increase their intention to stay at work, it is necessary to subdivide the intervention program for various ages and clinical career, and to develop a mediation program that can improve nurses' grit by improving the working environment.

Citations

• Role of violence exposure on altruistic behavior and grit among emergency nurses in rural hospitals
  Mohamed Hussein Ramadan Atta, Shimmaa Mohamed Elsayed, Heba Emad El‐Gazar, Naglaa Gamal Eldien Abdelhafez, Mohamed Ali Zoromba
  International Nursing Review.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the main keywords, network structures, and topical themes in patient safety incident reports using text network analysis. Methods: The study analyzed patient safety incident reports from a general hospital in Seoul, covering a total of 3,576 cases reported over five years, from 2019 to 2023. Unstructured data were extracted from the text of the incident reports, detailing how the patient safety incidents occurred and how they were managed according to the six-part principles. The analysis was conducted in four steps: 1) word extraction and refinement, 2) keyword extraction and word network generation, 3) network connectivity and centrality analysis, and 4) topic modeling analysis. The NetMiner program was used for data analysis. Results: The analysis of degree, betweenness, and closeness centrality revealed that the most common keywords among the top five were "confirmation," "medication," "inpatient room," "caregiver," and "condition." Topic modeling analysis identified three main topic groups: 1) incidents caused by a lack of awareness of fall risk, 2) incidents of non-compliance with basic medication principles, and 3) incidents due to inaccurate patient identification.
Conclusion
To prevent patient safety incidents, it is necessary to promote a culture of safety in hospitals, standardize patient identification procedures, and provide basic training in medication safety and fall prevention to healthcare staff. Furthermore, empirical research on patient safety practices is necessary to encourage active participation in patient safety activities by patients and family caregivers.

Purpose
The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) rises significantly in the post-middle-age population, and stress along with depressive symptoms hinders effective DM management. This study examined the mediating effect of social capital (trust in the physical environment, reciprocity, social participation, and social networks) on the relationship between perceived stress and depression among middle-aged adults with DM in Korea. It also aimed to provide data for developing targeted interventions to enhance blood glucose management in this population.
Methods
A descriptive correlational study using data from the 2019 Community Health Survey by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) was conducted. Complex sample regression analysis and the Sobel test were employed for mediation analysis. The study included 9,394 middle-aged adults (aged 45-64 years) diagnosed with DM. The analysis assessed the effects of perceived stress on social capital and depression, as well as the mediating role of social capital.
Results
Perceived stress negatively impacted social capital (β=-0.16, p<.001) and positively influenced depression (β=0.37, p<.001). Both perceived stress and social capital significantly affected depression (F=998.83, p<.001), with social capital showing a partial mediating effect (z=2.65, p<.001).
Conclusion
Social capital partially mediated the relationship between stress and depression, suggesting its potential as a strategy for reducing stress and lowering depression among middle-aged adults with DM. These findings lay the groundwork for targeted interventions to improve blood glucose management in this population. Future research should explore the relationships among specific components of social capital, stress, and depression.

Purpose
This study aimed to determine the rates of intensive care unit readmission and to identify the factors influencing readmission among intensive care unit patients aged≥65 years with internal medicine conditions.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records from a tertiary care hospital in Seoul, analyzing the characteristics of patients who were and were not readmitted between December 2020 and September 2022.
Results
A total of 351 patients were included. The unplanned intensive care unit readmission rate was 4.8% within 7 days and 9.1% beyond 7 days after discharge. Comorbid diabetes, higher total bilirubin levels at intensive care unit admission, lower PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios at discharge, and elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels at discharge were associated with an increased risk of readmission within 7 days. In contrast, hypertension, prolonged intensive care unit stays, and lower hemoglobin levels at discharge were associated with readmissions occurring after 7 days.
Conclusion
Intensive care unit readmission among older patients is influenced by several clinical and hematological factors. Nurses should consider a patient's history of diabetes and hypertension, length of intensive care unit stay, and laboratory values-specifically total bilirubin at admission, and PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio, hemoglobin, and BUN levels at discharge-when making discharge decisions. These findings can inform the development of discharge guidelines.

Purpose
This study was conducted to provide fundamental data for improving the quality of care by investigating the relationships of critical reflection competency, nursing practice environment, job crafting, and person-centered care among tertiary hospital nurses. Additionally, the study sought to identify the factors influencing person-centered care. Methods: Data were collected from 132 tertiary hospital nurses with at least 1 year of work experience via an online survey conducted in January 2023. Results: Person-centered care varied significantly according to age, clinical experience, and department. Significant correlations of person-centered care with critical reflection competency (r=.77, p<.001), nursing practice environment (r=.46, p<.001), and job crafting (r=.71, p<.001) were observed. Factors contributing to person-centered care among tertiary hospital nurses included critical reflection competency (β=.46, p<.001) and job crafting (β=.40, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 70.2%. Conclusion: To provide ethically enhanced person-centered care in tertiary hospitals, various training programs must be developed to strengthen nurses' critical reflection competency and job crafting skills.

Citations

• Cultural Competence and Nursing Work Environment: Impact on Culturally Congruent Care in Portuguese Multicultural Healthcare Units
  Gisela Teixeira, Ricardo Picoito, Filomena Gaspar, Pedro Lucas
  Healthcare.2024; 12(23): 2430.     CrossRef
• Factors associated with critical reflection competency among clinical nurse educators
  Sujin Shin, MiJi Lee, Eunmin Hong
  Teaching and Learning in Nursing.2024; 19(4): e630.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Person-Centered Care Among Psychiatric Nurses in Hospitals
  Ji Su Lee, Mi Heui Jang, Min Jung Sun
  Healthcare.2024; 12(22): 2269.     CrossRef
• Proactive behaviors and health care workers: A systematic review
  Alden Yuanhong Lai, Kenneth Z. Wee, Jemima A. Frimpong
  Health Care Management Review.2024; 49(3): 239.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to examine the relationship among professor-student interactions, grit, and adaptation to college life.
Methods
In this quantitative, cross-sectional study, participants completed a structured questionnaire comprising 48 items: 8 on general characteristics, 8 on professor-student interactions, 12 on grit, and 20 on adaptation to college life. Data were collected from 165 nursing students at two four-year universities between April 15 and May 20, 2023.
Results
Professor-student interactions had a mean score of 3.76±0.59 out of 5, grit had a mean score of 3.09±0.53, and adaptation to college life had a mean score of 3.48±0.51. Regression analysis identified significant predictors of adaptation to college life, including professor-student interactions (β=.26, p<.001), grit-perseverance of effort (β=.18, p=.047), and satisfaction with the major, with the "very satisfied" (β=.40, p<.001) and "satisfied" (β=.24, p=.002) categories showing significant impacts. The overall regression model was statistically significant (F=20.76, p<.001) and accounted for 32.5% of the variance in adaptation to college life.
Conclusion
Educational programs designed to strengthen professor-student interactions, enhance grit, and improve satisfaction with one's major should be developed to help nursing students adapt to college life. These findings have important implications for nursing education practices, the improvement of student support systems, and the preparation of students for their professional roles.

Purpose
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) plays a crucial role in helping patients with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. This review aimed to understand the context and scope of CGM-related studies in Korea and identified areas for future research, particularly in nursing science.
Methods
The search strategy involved examining eight electronic databases for published studies on CGM, with the search period ending in March 2022. Four independent reviewers conducted screening, selection, and narrative review of the studies.
Results
Descriptive and substantive analyses were performed for 68 studies on CGM, which covered diverse areas, including: (1) evaluating the CGM performance through comparisons with self-monitoring of blood glucose and correlations with existing indices; (2) validating the efficacy of CGM in improving patient outcomes and assessing various interventions; and (3) expanding the use of CGM, such as clinical guidelines and reviews, developing predictive models, and other clinical studies.
Conclusion
Research on CGM has expanded to include early performance evaluation, efficacy verification, and utilization in various clinical settings. However, there is a lack of nursing-focused studies of CGM. It is recommended to incorporate CGM in nursing research aimed at enhancing self-management for patients with diabetes. Future projects should focus on developing and applying patient-customized CGM user manuals, comparing the effectiveness of CGM among patients with different types of diabetes, exploring qualitative experiences of CGM use, and addressing related issues.

Citations

• Exploring the Initial Encounter with Continuous Glucose Monitoring among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Two-Week Trip
  Miseon Shin, Youngran Yang, Jeong Hee Kang, Heung Yong Jin
  Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.2024; Volume 17: 3521.     CrossRef

Purpose
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, anxiety and need satisfaction may predict turnover intention among emergency room nurses, with need satisfaction negatively influencing turnover intention. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of need satisfaction on the relationship between COVID-19–induced anxiety and job turnover intention among emergency room nurses during the pandemic.
Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 206 emergency room nurses from 11 hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected using a questionnaire from December 2022 to February 2023.
Results
High COVID-19–induced anxiety was associated with increased turnover intention among nurses. Physiological needs partially mediated the relationship between COVID-19–induced anxiety and turnover intention. However, safety and belongingness needs showed no mediating effect.
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, if physiological needs were not satisfied, reducing anxiety and turnover intention among emergency room nurses proved challenging, even when other needs were met. Therefore, physiological needs should be prioritized and addressed before focusing on other types of needs.

Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the revised Korean version of the Nurses' Ethical Behaviors for Protecting Patient's Rights Scale (NEBPPRS-K25).
Methods
The participants in this study consisted of 311 nurses employed at university hospitals located in D, S, or U cities. Data were collected from July 1 to August 31, 2022. The collected data were analyzed utilizing SPSS and AMOS version 28.0.
Results
The statistical analysis led to the exclusion of three items from the original version, resulting in five subscales encompassing a total of 25 items. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated satisfactory model fit indices (normed χ² =2.56, p<.001, RMR=.05, RMSEA=.07, GFI=.84, CFI=.86, TLI=.85, IFI=.87). The items' convergent and discriminant validity were verified using confirmed through the extracted mean variance (.54~.65) and composite reliability (.78~.90). The Cronbach's ⍺ value for the overall NEBPPRS-K instrument was .89, while the Cronbach's ⍺ value for each individual subscale ranged from .66 to .85.
Conclusion
The NEBPPRS-K25 is a valid and reliable scale, making it suitable for widespread use in measuring nurses' ethical behaviors to safeguard patient rights.

Citations

• Psychometric evaluation of the Vietnamese version of nurses’ ethical behaviors for protecting patient rights scale (V-NEBPPRS): a methodological study
  Ninh Do Thi, Gunjeong Lee, Dian Susmarini
  BMC Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Development of Ethical Competence Self-assessment Tool for Korean Physical Therapists
  JiYeon Cheon, MyungChul Kim, HaeIn Kim, Hyunsuk Kim
  The Open Public Health Journal.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of patient safety perception (PSP) in the relationship between the right to know (RtK) and patient participation (PP) among inpatients.
Methods
This descriptive study used a convenience sample of inpatients from three small and medium-sized hospitals in October 2023. A total of 231 inpatients completed a self-report questionnaire assessing PP, RtK, and PSP. Data were analyzed using a mediation model with the PROCESS Macro (Model 4), applying 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals.
Results
The findings revealed significant positive correlations between PP and RtK (r=.78, p<.001) and PSP (r=.83, p<.001). Both RtK and PSP had significant effects on PP. PSP was identified as an important mediator in the relationship between RtK and PP (B=.35, boot standard error=.06, 95% confidence interval=.27–.44). The findings confirm that inpatients’ RtK is associated with improved PSP and increased PP.
Conclusion
These findings highlight the critical role of safeguarding patients’ right to information as a strategy for promoting patient safety. To ensure safe and effective care in small and medium-sized hospitals, ongoing support is essential for developing and systematically implementing patient safety education initiatives that actively involve patients.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to identify the effects of stigma, social support, and resilience on post-traumatic growth in patients with stroke and to provide foundational data for developing nursing interventions that can effectively promote post-traumatic growth in this population.
Methods
This cross-sectional study employed a questionnaire-based survey. The participants were 150 patients who attended the neurology outpatient clinic three months after a stroke diagnosis. Data were collected between February and April 2024 using a structured self-report questionnaire. Analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, inferential statistics(independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffé's test), and hierarchical multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 27.0.
Results
The mean post-traumatic growth score was 2.52±1.05 out of 5. Significant factors affecting post-traumatic growth were age, education, religion, the presence of a housemate, income, time since stroke onset, stroke type, and stroke recurrence. Post-traumatic growth was positively correlated with social support (r=.44, p<.001) and resilience (r=.53, p<.001), but not significantly correlated with stigma. Regression analysis identified resilience (β=.37, p<.001), religion (β=.29, p<.001), and stroke type (β=.23, p=.033) as significant predictors, explaining 44.2% of the variance in post-traumatic growth (F=9.45, p<.001).
Conclusion
Developing and implementing nursing interventions to increase resilience may be crucial for promoting post-traumatic growth in patients with stroke. Further research is needed to design and evaluate these interventions.

Purpose
This study investigated the knowledge, performance, and barrier awareness of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) medical staff concerning the prevention and management of Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption (PADIS) in critically ill adult patients, and aimed to identify the factors influencing the performance of evidence-based PADIS management.
Methods
This cross-sectional and correlational study included 189 medical staff (17 physicians, 172 nurses) working in ICUs in two hospitals and recruited between July 13 and 31, 2022. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the PADIS-related performance of medical staff.
Results
The evidence-based performance level for PADIS prevention and management had a mean score of 3.55±0.37 out of 5 points, and the mean knowledge score was 28.23±3.00 out of 33 points. The mean awareness score for barriers to implementing PADIS prevention and management guidelines was 2.91±0.39 out of 5 points. Multiple regression analysis indicated that knowledge of delirium (β=.19, p=.014) and awareness of barriers within the individual domains of medical staff (β=-.20, p=.034) significantly influenced PADIS-related performance.
Conclusion
To implement evidence-based practices for the prevention and management of PADIS, steps should be taken to improve the knowledge and awareness of medical staff regarding PADIS. This could be improved through organizational support, such as systematic education and staffing. Specifically, an education program centered on delirium could significantly improve PADIS-related knowledge and performance.

Citations

• Review of advanced emergency evacuation procedures in hospital buildings: comprehensive analysis and insights
  Hao Wu, Ruimin Nie, Xu Zeng, Chuanjie Cheng, Jing Pan, Daguang Han, Haidar Hosamo
  Frontiers in Built Environment.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
Over 10% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients die; however, research aimed at assessing and improving the quality of their deaths remains scarce. This study investigated the impact of communication among healthcare professionals and person-centered care provided by ICU nurses on the quality of dying and death (QODD) experienced by ICU patients.
Methods
We measured general characteristics of ICU nurses, interprofessional communication, and person-centered care, and identified their impact on the quality of death for patients who died in the ICU. Participants consisted of 103 ICU nurses employed at two tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected between January and May 2023. Descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23.0.
Results
The mean QODD score was 44.73±21.26. QODD was positively correlated with openness (nurse-physician), understanding (nurse-physician), satisfaction (nurse-physician), and person-centered care. Factors significantly influencing QODD included nurse-physician communication, specifically understanding (β=.35, p=.010), and person-centered care (β=.19, p=.033), explaining 20.2% of the total variance (F=7.44, p<.001).
Conclusion
Improved communication among healthcare professionals and enhanced person-centered care are essential for improving the QODD for ICU patients. To achieve this, educational initiatives focusing on end-of-life care and communication training programs for healthcare professionals should be implemented.

Purpose
Contrast therapy, which includes alternately applying cold and heat therapy, is an effective intervention to increase muscle elasticity and reduce musculoskeletal edema and pain. This study aimed to confirm the effects of contrast therapy by using flexible Thermoelectric Devices (TEDs) — that not only maintain a constant temperature but can also change the temperature in a short time — on lower extremity edema, pain, muscle fatigue, and stress among nursing home workers.
Methods
This randomized controlled pre-post experimental study used a flexible thermoelectric element to administer contrast therapy in nursing home workers to compare its impact on lower extremity swelling, pain, muscle fatigue, and stress. As an intervention method, 4 minutes of heat therapy and 1 minute of cold therapy were repeated for a total of 30 minutes.
Results
The experimental group displayed a significant difference of -2.53 points, and the control group displayed a significant difference of -0.94 points (t=2.65, p<.050) as a result of an analysis comparing the two groups’ pain levels before and after the experimental treatment. The experimental group also displayed a statistically significant reduction in the degree of lower extremity edema (t=3.91, p=.001). Furthermore, the experimental group’s lower extremity stress index decreased significantly (t=2.87, p=.049).
Conclusion
The findings of this study indicated that contrast therapy by using flexible TEDs alleviated stress, leg pain, and swelling in nursing home workers and could be used as an intervention to alleviate musculoskeletal problems in healthcare workers.