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 3 OF 9 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNQualitative2026Qualitative Analysis of Community Dwelling Older Adults' Advance Care Planning Interviews: Patients Want a Chance.The American journal of hospice & palliative careOlder adults facing serious illness often chose full treatment and CPR because they wanted a chance to return to normal, even after acknowledging their illness was not curable and hearing that recovery after CPR was unlikely.
• RNRCT2026Empowering Patients Through Literacy: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Educational App for Evaluating Complementary Therapies in Diabetes Management.Nursing openPeople with diabetes who received an app package with nurse contacts, compared with printed and verbal education, improved complementary-therapy risk-benefit understanding and quality of life. Empowerment did not improve compared with control.
• RNRCT2026Dermatological Safety of Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Dressings in Paediatric Intensive Care: A Randomised Clinical Trial.Nursing in critical careSkin lesions were not clearly different overall between PICU central line dressings. Infants with chlorhexidine developed lesions much earlier. Catheter infections were lower, but that was a secondary outcome.
• RNSystematic Review2026Experiences of Care in Intensive Care Units After a Suicide Attempt From the Perspectives of Patients, Family Members and Healthcare Personnel-A Scoping Review.Nursing in critical careAfter ICU care for a suicide attempt, patients wanted emotional support, families needed private communication, and staff reported mixed empathy and irritation. The included studies were old, so this maps accounts, not proof.
• RNQualitative2026Diet Modification in Saudi Women Living With Cardiovascular Disease: A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Motivators.The journal of nursing research : JNRSaudi women with cardiovascular disease described family meal demands, hospitality pressure, low literacy, poor dietitian follow-up, and rural food access as barriers; symptom worry and family support as motivators.
• RNQualitative2026Experiences of older adults who have lost a child: reflections on grief and for nursing.Revista brasileira de enfermagemOlder adults bereaved by a child’s death described grief as lasting and unlike other losses. They relied on faith, prayer, cemetery visits, and private mourning. These supports may matter to how nurses assess bereavement.
• RNSurvey2026Turkish Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey: A Multicenter Study.Nursing & health sciencesThe Turkish hospital survey of patient experience was validated with 478 inpatients. Nurses can use it to see how patients rate communication with doctors and nurses, staff help, medicines, and discharge teaching.
• RNOther2026Concordance Between Patient-Reported and Clinically Documented Symptoms in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.Oncology nursing forumIn 31 hospitalized adults with AML, drowsiness and sadness were often reported but rarely recorded in the chart. Skin changes and swelling were recorded more often than patients reported them.
• RNOther2026Perspectives and Experiences of People Receiving Care on a De-escalation Intervention to Reduce Restrictive Practices in Acute Mental Health Units.International journal of mental health nursingStandardised measures of empowerment, dehumanisation and staff actions showed no significant change after implementing a nurse-led de-escalation framework. Patients described how clear communication, gentle care and meaningful activities supported safety, while coercion and system strain harmed recovery.
• RNSurvey2026The Mediating Roles of Self-Disclosure and Social Support in the Relationship Between Self-Perceived Burden and Benefit Finding Among Postoperative Colorectal Cancer Patients.Nursing openPostoperative colorectal cancer patients who felt more burdened by their illness reported fewer positive changes from it. Social support and sharing worries were linked to more positive changes, but the study did not test whether changing them helps.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026The Neglected Care Burden and Unmet Needs of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors. A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesCaregivers of stroke survivors described heavy new roles, coordination and personal care, and feeling left without clear stroke information. They valued continuity with home physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
• RNSystematic Review2026Comparative Effects of Various Modalities of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingIn 22 adolescent trials, web-based CBT for insomnia ranked best for most sleep outcomes, reducing insomnia severity, increasing total sleep time, shortening sleep onset and improving efficiency versus usual care. No modality was superior for wake after sleep onset.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2026Patient-Driven Grouping Model and Home Health Use Among Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health visits and episode length fell after PDGM, especially for beneficiaries with dementia. Therapy visits drove much of the decline, and the largest reductions appeared in advanced dementia. This is service use, not proof of harm.
• RNOther2026Psychometric Properties of Caregiver Contribution and Self-Efficacy Scales in Cancer.Nursing & health sciencesTwo caregiver questionnaires were usable for assessing how caregivers help cancer patients with self-care, but contribution scores, especially monitoring, were often near maximum. Use them cautiously to identify caregivers needing support, not to compare high scorers.
• PTRNCase Report2026Case Series: Episodes of Care in an Intensive Care Garden-Does Fresh Air Matter?Nursing in critical careICU patients used a garden space for end-of-life care and rehabilitation. Relatives and staff described it as private, natural and supportive, but the report cannot show fresh air improved outcomes.
• RNOther2026Trajectories of Medication Use Prior to Death in US Nursing Home Residents With Dementia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost deprescribing happened in the last three months of life. Hospice enrollment and severe functional decline predicted stopping medications. However, chronic drugs like anticoagulants and diuretics were rarely stopped, while symptom relief drugs like anxiolytics and antibiotics were often started.
• RNSurvey2026Influence of Decision-Makers' Perceived Risk on the Propensity for Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing openSurrogate decision makers who reported higher economic, psychosocial, or physical risk had lower preference for thrombolysis in acute stroke. Ask about these worries and explain risks plainly.
• PTOTRNRCT2026A secondary analysis of how changes in pain interference relate to changes in health-related quality of life and physical function in heart failure.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careIn adults with heart failure, worsening pain interference tended to track with worsening physical function and quality of life over time. The links were modest and observational, so they do not prove pain treatment improves either outcome.
• RNRCTDraining Urinary Sediments Through Conventional Eyelet Catheters and New Intermittent Micro-Hole Zone Catheters.Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyClear urine from healthy volunteers and intermittent catheter users drained through both eyelet and micro-hole catheters. In cloudy urine with visible particles, micro-hole catheters needed wiggling in 10 samples and failed in 6 eyelet-drained samples.
• RNQualitative2026Patients' Voices of Care Encounters and Organisational Influences on Existential Suffering in Cancer Care: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesCancer patients described being ignored, rushed, or treated as bodies as causing suffering. Nurses who listened, believed their pain, explained care step by step, and stayed present helped them feel safe and human.
• RNSystematic Review2026A Context-Informed Evolutionary Concept Analysis of Ikigai in Later Life: Evidence Relevant to Older People in Korea.International journal of older people nursingIkigai in older Korean people is described as a sense life is worth living, built through valued roles, family ties, routines and reflection. Nurses can use these cues in assessment, but this is a concept analysis, not evidence of benefit.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Respiratory Support in the Emergency Department: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Worldviews on evidence-based nursingFor adults needing breathing support in the ED, high-flow nasal oxygen did not clearly reduce need to escalate care versus standard oxygen, but it increased escalation risk versus non-invasive ventilation. Mortality did not differ.
• RNSystematic Review2026Rules and Limit-Setting in Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Wards: A Systematic Narrative Review.Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, IncNo agreed standard for adolescent psychiatric ward rules emerged, but reviewed wards mostly set limits on aggression, sexual activity, participation and schedules. Young people said rules felt fairer when staff explained why they existed and applied them consistently.
• RNSystematic Review2026Three-Stage Care Experiences and Needs of Parents With Children in NICU: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.Nursing openParents of babies in NICU described repeated strain across hospital stay, discharge, and home care: separation, unclear information, restricted visits, and communication gaps. Needs shifted from emotional contact to practical skills and ongoing support.
• RNCohort2026Missed Nursing Care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units for Infants Experiencing or at Risk of Experiencing Substance Withdrawal.Research in nursing & healthAcross 894 of 11,807 NICU shifts, infants that nurses reported as having or at risk for withdrawal were more likely to have missed nursing care, especially pain checks, airway tube checks, developmental care, and high-risk drug assessments. It does not show withdrawal caused missed care.
• RNSurvey2026Relationships Between Advance Care Planning Engagement, Patients' Religious Practices, and Spirituality.The American journal of hospice & palliative careAmong older adults facing high mortality risk, greater religious practice or belief and self-described spirituality were linked to more advance care planning engagement. Religious affiliation alone was not.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Global Variation in Predictors of Uptake of Conservative Kidney Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of renal careOlder age, female sex, higher comorbidity burden, and living alone were associated with receiving non-dialysis care rather than dialysis or transplant. Diabetes was not associated overall, and socioeconomic factors varied by region.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Family-Centred Breastfeeding Interventions to Improve Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nursing openFamily breastfeeding support raised exclusive breastfeeding rates after birth. Effects were seen when fathers or both parents were included, when interventions used theory, combined face-to-face and online formats, and spanned prenatal and postnatal care.
• RNSystematic Review2026Utilization of electrodermal activity in nursing research: A mapping review.Japan journal of nursing science : JJNSNursing articles using electrodermal activity included 91 mostly small studies, with healthy adults the largest group, and mostly used skin conductance. This mapping review does not show it is a clinical tool for patient assessment.
• RNCohort2026Racial and Ethnic Differences in Nonresponse Rate to Experiences of Discrimination: A Secondary Analysis of the nuMoM2b Dataset.Research in nursing & healthIn 9,289 pregnant patients, 6.1% skipped a discrimination question versus 1.3% saying yes. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients were more likely to skip than non-Hispanic White patients after accounting for age, BMI, education and poverty.
• RNSystematic Review2026WeChat-Based Nursing Interventions in Women's Mobile Health: Systematic Review.JMIR nursingWeChat nursing interventions for women were reported to improve education, self-management and some outcomes. But most included studies had high risk of bias, so effectiveness remains uncertain.
• RNQualitative2026Intensive Home Treatment in Mental Health: A Qualitative Exploration of Carers' Experiences.International journal of mental health nursingFamily carers during intensive home mental health treatment described exhaustion, disrupted routines and anxiety, but also closer relationships. They wanted private time with professionals without the patient present to express doubts and distress.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Rebuilding life after breast cancer treatment among Korean breast cancer survivors: an integrative review.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Korean breast cancer survivors reported persistent pain, sleep disturbance, decreased muscle strength, reduced exercise tolerance and lymphedema after treatment, plus body-image distress, fear of recurrence and return-to-work struggles. Exercise, diet, self-management and surveillance support are framed as possible nursing targets, not proven effects.
• RNOther2026Effects of a Mobile Application "Teenagers Don't Drink" on Preventing Alcohol Consumption among Thai Adolescents: A Quasi-experimental Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyAlcohol screening scores did not differ significantly after the combined app package with family, school, and community modules. Adolescents showed better alcohol knowledge, less accepting attitudes, higher refusal confidence, and stronger intention not to drink.
• RNSystematic Review2026Challenges and Strategies of Informal Caregivers in Medication Management for Older Adults: A Mixed Method Systematic Review.International journal of older people nursingInformal caregivers often took over older adults' medication tasks after decline or acute events. One study of 100 caregivers found almost 40% reported medication burden; another of 685 found 57% reported mistakes. They used pill boxes, alarms and lists.
• RNCohort2026Potential Drug-Drug Interactions With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Among Long-Term Care Facility Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association85.9% of long-term care residents given nirmatrelvir/ritonavir also received a potentially interacting medication on the same day. Atorvastatin (28.1%), amlodipine (21.6%), and apixaban (15.9%) were common. This supports medication review, but does not show harm.
• RNOther2026Validity of the Translated Turkish Version of the Tool for Nutrition Risk Screening for Paediatric Cancer.International journal of nursing practiceIn Turkish children with cancer, the six-item NRS-PC identified malnutrition risk compared with dietitian assessment. A score of 2 or more was best: 96.8% sensitivity, 57.6% specificity. Nurses can use it to trigger dietitian referral.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2026Applying the Brief Interview for Mental Status in a Diverse Home Health Patient Population.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost home health patients score as cognitively intact on the BIMS, but non-English speakers and minority patients score lower regardless of actual ability. This tool misses mild impairment and should not be used alone to judge a patient's cognition.
• RNSystematic Review2026Health Service Delivery Outcomes From Nursing in Genomics: A Scoping Review of the Literature (2012-2025).International nursing reviewGenomic nursing was reported to expand access, streamline workflow and support patient decisions in 66 service-delivery papers, but the evidence is mostly from high-income English-speaking countries and roles remain unclear.
• RNSurvey2026The Effect of Caregiver Burden on Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours of People Caring for Patients With Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesHigher caregiver burden was linked to lower healthy lifestyle behaviours in caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. Social burden was the clearest burden dimension linked to lower health habits. The study cannot show cause.
• RNSystematic Review2026Research trends in educational interventions for digital sexual media literacy among adolescents: a scoping review (2015-2025).Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Across 11 adolescent sexual-media education studies, knowledge, attitudes and literacy usually improved after teaching, but effects on behaviour, communication and long-term literacy were inconsistent.
• RNQualitative2026The Experiences of Family Dyads During the Gender Identity Transition Process of Children and Adolescents.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesParents of children and adolescents transitioning gender identities described support as built on secure attachment, tolerance, time, shared experiences and online learning. Fear of relatives, disapproval, self-blame and social values inhibited transition.
• RNSurvey2026Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the Maternal Adaptation Scale: a methodological study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)The adapted Chinese maternal adaptation scale can help nurses identify postpartum mothers with poorer adaptation, especially those with depressive symptoms and less spousal help.
• RNQualitative2026Caregiver and Patient Experiences With the Diabetes Care Team Impact Utilization of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes.The science of diabetes self-management and careFamilies reported that nutrition advice at diagnosis often felt confusing or misaligned with their goals, reducing trust. They valued practical, individualized guidance on real-life situations like school and parties. Providers should tailor nutrition discussions to each family’s values rather than offering generic advice.
• RNCohort2026Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Depressive and Behavioral Symptoms in US Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationLockdown did not produce clinically meaningful worsening in nursing home residents’ overall depression or behavior scores. Some residents with mild depression were more likely to worsen, and those with severe behavior symptoms were more likely to improve.
• RNSurvey2026Families' View on Primary Nursing in Intensive Care Units - A Cross-Sectional Study.Nursing in critical careFamilies of ICU patients rated nursing care similarly under primary nursing and standard care. Only three of 14 satisfaction items differed, and the groups were not comparable.
• OTRNQualitative2026Self-care in stroke rehabilitation: a qualitative study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemCaregivers and rehabilitation staff said stroke survivors need clear teaching before going home, but hospital time is short. They described scarce equipment, poor team communication and caregiver burden as barriers to self-care.
• RNOther2026Nursing consultation based on supported self-care for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a quasi-experimental study.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemNurse-led diabetes consultations with goal setting and phone follow-up improved self-care activity scores, total cholesterol, VLDL and triglyceride measures. Fasting glucose and HbA1c were not shown to improve.
• RNSurvey2026Structural model of health-promoting behavior in middle-aged Korean women with hypertension based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model: a cross sectional study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)For women with hypertension, social support and self-efficacy were linked to health-promoting behavior. Knowledge was linked to behavior but not to self-efficacy. These are associations, not proof of effect.
• RNSystematic Review2026Behind the Mask: Recognising the Person in Relatives of Nursing Home Residents-A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesRelatives of nursing home residents move between conflicting emotions like gratitude and guilt, and shift between roles such as advocate and observer, rather than occupying fixed positions. Their experience is a continuous negotiation of identity within institutional constraints.