NURSING

Research for nursing

Papers a nurse can act on, across critical and emergency care, medical-surgical, mental health, paediatrics and neonatal, maternity, older adults, community and primary care, and oncology and palliative care. Each is read in full rather than from its abstract.

424 PAPERS · PAGE 2 OF 9 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNSurvey2026Factors associated with fear of childbirth in pregnant women in a University Hospital in Southern Brazil.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PPregnant women with very high fear of childbirth reported significantly more fear of panicking, losing control, intense pain, prolonged labor, and uncertainty about labor duration. Screening for these specific anticipatory fears in the third trimester can identify women needing extra emotional support.
• RNCase Series2026Evaluation of Continuous Z-Plasty Technique for Linear Scar Repair on the Face: A Retrospective Analysis.Advances in skin & wound careIn 21 patients with stable facial linear scars, continuous Z-plasty was followed by lower Vancouver Scar Scale scores, narrower scars, and 18 patients reported satisfaction. This was a small retrospective series without a control group.
• RNCohort2026Psychometric Validation of the PHQ-9 in Ostomy Patients and Their Informal Caregivers: Evidence From A European Multicenter Study.Nursing openThe PHQ-9 was supported as a brief depression screen in ostomy patients and their informal caregivers, and scores can be compared between the two groups. Use the total score for screening; physical and mental symptom groups are not separate clinical scales.
• RNRCT2026Acceptability and Fidelity of a Cognitive Rehabilitation Intervention During and After Intensive Care: A Feasibility Evaluation.Nursing in critical careICU patients and nurses rated mindfulness and brain training as relevant, but use was uneven and depended on energy, timing and support. This shows feasibility, not that the intervention improved cognition.
• RNOther2026Morning Stiffness Assessment Scale for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Turkish Adaptation and Validity and Reliability.Nursing openThe Turkish Morning Stiffness Assessment Scale gives nurses a 10-item, two-part tool to measure morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis beyond just how long it lasts. It captures how stiffness limits daily activities and affects quality of life, and it held up over 15 days.
• RNCohort2026Navigation program: comparison of diagnosis-treatment times among breast cancer patients.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn all 359 breast cancer patients, nurse navigation did not shorten overall diagnosis-to-treatment time. Navigated patients waited longer for surgery. When split by insurance, navigated patients had shorter times to any treatment and neoadjuvant treatment.
• RNQualitative2026'A Moment for Me': The Role of Respite in Sustaining Mental Health Carers.International journal of mental health nursingCarers of adults with mental illness said respite was only restful when the person they cared for came home safe, happy and well supported. Guilt, cost, poor access and untrained staff kept them mentally on duty.
• RNOther2026Accuracy and Documentation of Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale Assessments in a Cardiothoracic Critical Care Unit: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Audit.Nursing in critical careNurses' RASS sedation scores matched expert scores in 75% of cases, but only 33% of hourly documentation was complete. All inaccuracies occurred at auditor-rated negative RASS scores, and confidence did not track accuracy.
• RNQualitative2026Using Social Media Listening to Understand the Pressure Injury Experience: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.JMIR nursingPeople posting about pressure injuries blamed missed care, poor knowledge, equipment shortages and delayed discharge, and asked for clear education and ongoing support. Most posts came from observers and caregivers, not patients themselves.
• RNQualitative2026Transition and Transfer in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood in Type 1 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study of Parents' Experiences.Nursing openParents of young adults with type 1 diabetes described feeling abruptly cut off from healthcare at transfer, losing relationships with trusted paediatric nurses and any role in adult visits. They wanted a bridge and individualised handover.
• RNSystematic Review2026Allyship in Psychiatric and Mental Health Services: A Scoping Review and Thematic Analysis.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingAllyship in mental health services meant listening more than speaking, acknowledging systemic injustice, and supporting patients to speak for themselves. This review mapped those ideas; it did not show that allyship improves patient outcomes.
• RNSystematic Review2026Tracing the Satisfactory Care of the Chronically Ill in Emergency Departments: A Scoping Review.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesFor adults with chronic illness, ED care was considered satisfactory when pain relief, communication, respect and follow-up were timely. Waiting, fragmented discharge and stigma undermined it. Team-based transition support may help, but effectiveness was not tested.
• RNSurvey2026Health literacy and its sociodemographic and health determinants.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PEmergency care users rated social support and judging health information as strengths, but understanding clinician advice and getting enough information as weaknesses. Older adults, higher education, reading habit and treatment adherence had higher health literacy scores.
• RNSystematic Review2026Continuous Insulin Infusion System and self-care in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: scope review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemFrequent glucose checks, regular insulin pump boluses, and bolus calculator use were linked to lower HbA1c in type 1 diabetes, but many pump users reported inadequate education and support.
• RNOther2026The Psychometric Properties of the Caregiver Feeding Style Questionnaire: A Cross-Cultural Validation in Spanish Parents.Research in nursing & healthSpanish version of a caregiver feeding style questionnaire may be usable, but the shorter 13-item version seems most practical. Two items were confusing and did not work well, and the evidence was mixed rather than strong.
• RNSurvey2026Self-Esteem and Coping Modes as Mediators of the Social Support-Stigma Relationship in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openHigher social support and self-esteem were linked with lower stigma in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Confrontation coping was linked with lower stigma; avoidance and acceptance coping were linked with higher stigma.
• RNCase-Control2026Retreatment after loss of follow-up in adolescent and young adult patients living with HIV: a case-control study.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAdolescents and young adults with HIV who did not practice religion were more likely to return to care after dropping out. Those who were female, used alcohol, lived in institutions, were diagnosed at counseling centers, or had missed appointments were less likely to return.
• RNQualitative2026Coping Strategies and Experiences of Patients With Crohn's Disease During the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Descriptive Phenomenology Study.Nursing openMost participants with Crohn's disease delayed care under isolation, and 7 participants had acute flare-ups. Two elderly and two remote-area patients gave up hospitalization due to cost. Only 2 found masks made going out easier. Patients wanted clear vaccine guidance.
• RNOther2026Prevalence and factors associated with severe pain in the postoperative period of orthopedic surgery.Revista brasileira de enfermagemSevere pain affected 63.5% of 63 postoperative orthopedic patients, with the highest incidence on the first and second postoperative day. Mobilization was associated with severe pain, while regular physical activity was associated with fewer severe pain reports.
• RNCohort2026Intelligent mobile health management for the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in anticoagulated patients with cardiovascular disease.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PAnticoagulated cardiovascular patients with gastrointestinal bleeding who received a nurse-supported mobile health bundle had better hemostasis, lower rebleeding-risk score, more knowledge, less anxiety and depression, and higher satisfaction than routine nursing care.
• RNOther2026Overburden of informal caregivers of older adults with Post-COVID Syndrome.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost caregivers of older adults with post-COVID syndrome reported burden. Burden was linked to frailty or depression in the older adult and depressive symptoms in the caregiver. These were associations in 75 pairs, not proof of cause.
• RNSurvey2026Influence of sociodemographic factors on the health literacy of individuals with mental disorders.Revista brasileira de enfermagemHealth literacy in adults with severe mental disorders varied by social circumstances. Married people and those with longer service monitoring scored higher on understanding and active care, while people living alone scored lower on social support.
• RNQualitative2026Challenges Experienced by Patients With Chronic Venous Disease in Unresolved Postoperative Recovery After Iliac Vein Stenting: A Phenomenological Study.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingAfter iliac vein stenting, 12 patients with unresolved recovery described unexplained pain, stiffness and movement limits, then endured and delayed asking for help until distress forced them to seek care. Some later created self-paced routines to regain control.
• RNSurvey2026Posttraumatic Stress in Caregivers of Burn-Injured Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.The American journal of nursing48.33% of caregivers of children with burn injuries reached the score threshold for posttraumatic stress symptoms. Witnessing the burn had a greater influence among factors tested. The finding points to caregiver distress, not only child injury.
• RNCase Report2026Conversion Practices in Eating Disorder Treatment: A Lived Experience Narrative.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingA trans man's account describes eating disorder inpatient care that pathologised his gender distress, withheld gender-affirming medical care, and used coercion. He reports lasting trauma and delayed access to care. Nurses can assess gender dysphoria and protect autonomy.
• RNQualitative2026When Care Becomes Digital: Shared Experiences in Psychiatric Nursing-A Phenomenological Study.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingNurses and patients in Turkish psychiatric units described routine digital documentation as eroding the human connection of care. Nurses felt reduced to data clerks, while patients perceived them as distant and feared their private mental health records would be seen by others, weakening trust.
• RNSurvey2026Factors related to the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in resistant hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemAmong 63 resistant hypertensive patients, 96.8% were estimated at risk of chronic kidney disease by the SCORED questionnaire. Women were more likely than men to be at risk. This screening needs lab confirmation.
• RNPilot2026Feasibility of an Online Resilience Program for Mothers With Adverse Childhood Experiences.Research in nursing & healthFive mothers finished the online resilience program, with 97.5% session attendance and satisfaction 9.80 out of 10. Resilience and positive parenting scores improved, but the small uncontrolled pilot cannot show the program works.
• RNCohort2026Assessment of Caregiver Burden and Perceived Social Support Among Individuals Providing Care to Patients Under Home Health Services: A Descriptive Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesMost informal caregivers for home health patients reported moderate to severe burden, with family as the main support source. Contrary to expectations, higher perceived social support was associated with higher reported burden, suggesting support may reflect coping efforts or unmet needs.
• RNQualitative2026Bringing the Hospital to the Adult Patient: A Qualitative Study of Patients' and Relatives' Experiences of Mobile Emergency Care at Home.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesPatients and relatives described home emergency teams as calming, respectful and reassuring, especially when assessments were explained step by step. Some remained uncertain about follow-up after the team left.
• RNSystematic Review2026Recovery-Oriented Conversations in Psychiatric Care: An Integrated Systematic Review.International journal of mental health nursingPatients and mental health professionals described recovery-oriented conversations as everyday listening, shared goals and emotional presence. Nurses should time talk to readiness, avoid medication-only exchanges, and raise staffing or handover barriers that make care feel rushed.
• RNSurvey2026Health literacy of adolescents using hormonal contraceptives and associated factors.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost adolescents using hormonal contraceptives had high health literacy, but more than half struggled to read and understand the medication leaflet. Nurses should check leaflet comprehension rather than assume the leaflet was understood.
• RNCohort2026Adherence to COVID-19 vaccination in riverside populations of the municipality of Careiro/AM.Revista brasileira de enfermagem99% of riverside adults had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, but 56.29% said they had no intention to be vaccinated. Nurses should ask about side effects and misinformation.
• SLPRNSystematic Review2026Oral manifestations associated with long COVID: a scoping review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemAcross 15 studies, people with long COVID reported taste loss, dry mouth, ulcers, gum bleeding, chewing and swallowing problems. These were more common in older adults, women, hospitalized patients, and socially vulnerable groups.
• RNQualitative2026Community Perspectives on Japanese Encephalitis Risk and Prevention in an Endemic Region of Australia.The Australian journal of rural healthIn a high-risk Australian city, people and clinicians reported low recent JEV awareness and confusion about vaccine eligibility. Nurse-led vaccine reviews and walk-in options were described as ways to identify eligible patients.
• PTOTRNOther2026The Moderating Effect of Physical Activity on the Association Between Cognitive Function and Fear of Falling in Low-Income Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Research in gerontological nursingCognitive function was not linked to fear of falling in low-income community-dwelling older adults without measured cognitive impairment, and physical activity did not appear to change this link. More sitting time was linked to more fear; more moderate-to-vigorous activity was linked to less fear.
• RNSystematic Review2026Use of birth plans by pregnant women and its impact on childbirth: an integrative review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemBirth plans gave pregnant women a way to state preferences and discuss them with staff, but most evidence came from women’s experiences. Use them for communication, not as a guarantee of outcomes.
• RNCohort2026Use of copper intrauterine devices in the immediate postpartum period: a prospective longitudinal study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost women were satisfied with immediate postpartum copper IUD insertion, but 61.2% would have preferred another method. 42.4% had not been told about side effects. At six months, 62.5% of responders still used the IUD.
• RNQualitative2026Fathers' experiences during their partners' childbirth and postpartum period: health vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.Revista brasileira de enfermagemFathers in Brazilian maternity services described fear of infecting their partner and baby, uneven companion rules, and uncertainty about childcare. They wanted active participation, but reported gaps in teaching on support, pain relief, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
• RNCohort2026A Retrospective Analysis of Deep Tissue Pressure Injury Prevalence and Incidence Using a Large-scale Wound Care Database in Long-term Care Settings Across North America.Advances in skin & wound careIn skilled nursing facilities in the United States and Canada, deep tissue pressure injury prevalence rose to 7.16% in 2021 and stayed at 6.20% in 2022 and 2023; rates were highest in the 81 to 90 age group and slightly higher in females.
• RNCohort2026Treatment failure in adolescents and young people living with HIV: a cohort study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemOf 512 adolescents and young people with HIV, 160 had poor adherence and 197 were lost to follow-up. Missed appointments, delayed ART, a sexual partner, and drug use were linked to these failures.
• RNSurvey2026Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Patients With Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Replacement: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openMore than half of patients after bioprosthetic heart valve replacement reported health problems. Better treatment adherence was associated with reporting full health, while respiratory disease and heart failure were associated with not reporting full health. Family support was not associated with quality of life.
• OTRNSurvey2026Associations Among Health Literacy, Decision Self-Efficacy, and Decisional Conflict in Stroke Survivor-Caregiver Dyads.The journal of nursing research : JNRAmong 305 stroke survivor and caregiver pairs, survivors with higher health literacy and decision confidence reported less decisional conflict. Caregiver confidence was part of a pathway to less survivor conflict but associated with more caregiver conflict. This is association, not proof that training helps.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Determinants of Recovery From Obstetric Fistula in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nursing openAcross 3238 Ethiopian women after fistula repair, 80.42% were discharged as recovered. Faster recovery was associated with antenatal care, facility delivery, shorter duration of incontinence, smaller fistula, intact urethra, and vaginal delivery.
• RNRCT2026Family Health Conversations-A Short-Term Supportive Intervention to Improve Family Well-Being, Functioning, and Involvement in Care After Open-Heart Surgery: A Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Group Superiority Trial.Journal of family nursingNurse-led video family conversations added to usual care did not improve family well-being at 90 days after open-heart surgery. Some health-related quality of life subscales favoured intervention, but the main outcome was null.
• RNCohort2026Decision-Making Readiness and Its Influencing Factors Among Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openPatients receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer scored a median 62.00 on a 20 to 100 decision-readiness scale, moderate. Wanting to take part was linked with higher readiness, and conflict with lower. Nurses can assess and target support.
• RNOther2026Developing a Set of Core Patient-Reported Outcomes for Kidney Replacement Therapy: A Modified Delphi Study.Journal of renal careA renal registry consensus chose the EQ-5D-5L and IPOS-Renal questionnaires for kidney replacement therapy. It recommends electronic completion, patient choice of location, baseline and regular collection, and symptom alerts.
• RNOther2026Correlation between physical symptoms and overall comfort in hospitalized cancer patients in palliative care.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PHigher symptom scores were linked to lower comfort in hospitalized cancer patients receiving palliative care. Pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, appetite and well-being all tracked inversely; breathlessness did not.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Association Between Frailty and Cognitive Impairment in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingFrail patients with chronic kidney disease had a 213% increase in likelihood of cognitive impairment compared with robust patients. Prefrail patients also had higher likelihood. The review found an association, not proof of cause or prevention.
• RNRCT2026Effects of Compassion Meditation on Psychological Status in Patients With Diabetes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Western journal of nursing researchPatients with diabetes randomly assigned to four short virtual compassion meditation sessions reported lower diabetes distress and higher confidence in managing diabetes than controls. In the meditation group, depressive symptoms, resilience and self-esteem did not improve. This pilot analysed 46 people.