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.

1,865 PAPERS · PAGE 6 OF 38 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Association Between Caregiver Psychosocial Factors and Depressive Symptoms in People With Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of advanced nursingCaregiver distress and lower caregiver quality of life showed the strongest links with more depressive symptoms in people with dementia; caregiver anxiety and relationship quality did not.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Effectiveness of Mobile Health-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.Journal of clinical nursingMobile phone-delivered CBT-I reduced insomnia symptoms and improved sleep quality in adults, including people with other conditions. Benefits were seen right after treatment and up to 6 months, but confidence in the results was low.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Examining the Impact of Telehealth Stoma Care Interventions on the Ostomates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical nursingTelehealth stoma care, delivered by nurses in most included studies, improved stoma adjustment and self-efficacy versus usual care, but did not show a reduction in anxiety and had inconsistent quality-of-life effects.
• RNQualitative2026Caregiver experiences of children living with a diagnosed neurological disability and using medical cannabis.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityCaregivers of 12 children using medical cannabis described little physician guidance, caregiver-led trial-and-error dosing, and relief when they reported symptoms improved. Two families saw no benefit. These are experiences, not proof cannabis works.
• RNQualitative2026Feasibility and Acceptability of the Smarthealth Intervention for Dementia Caregivers. A Qualitative Analysis of a Single-Group Pilot Study.Journal of advanced nursingTen dementia caregivers found the voice-based stress system useful for noticing stress and calming down, but alerts often came at bad times, messages felt generic, and setup or technical problems made participation burdensome. It did not test whether stress fell.
• RNSurvey2026Positive and Negative Appraisals and Quality of Life Among Family Caregivers of Adults With Formal Long-Term Care Needs: An Exploration of Model Using Structural Equation Modelling.Journal of clinical nursingAmong family caregivers, feeling caregiving was rewarding was linked to less burden; burden was strongly linked to lower quality of life. Nurse support, care-service satisfaction, secondary caregivers, and home-visit nursing were linked to more rewarding feelings.
• RNSystematic Review2026Communication Dynamics Between Professional Nursing Organisations and Their Stakeholders: A Scoping Review.Journal of advanced nursingNursing organisations rarely communicate health advice to the public, focusing instead on labour issues and member news. When they do provide patient education, it is limited to topics like catheter care and pressure ulcers, leaving a gap in their public health role.
• RNSystematic Review2025Experiences of Care for Adolescents With Mental Health Difficulties in Acute Paediatric Services: A Systematic Review.Journal of clinical nursingAdolescents with mental health difficulties in acute paediatric services felt neglected and unsafe, while staff reported stigma and inadequate training. Families were dissatisfied with symptom management. Care requires specialist pathways, de-stigmatised communication, and environmental adjustments.
• RNSurvey2025An Exploratory Study of Sleep Quality After Lung Transplantation Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)Sixty-one lung transplant recipients reported poor sleep: 64% scored above the threshold for poor quality. Most woke to use the bathroom or had low sleep efficiency, and nearly half used sleep medications in the past month.
• RNSystematic Review2025The Psychometric Properties of the Braden Scale to Assess Pressure Injury Risk in Acute Care: A Systematic Review.Journal of clinical nursingThe Braden Scale used by nurses to flag pressure injury risk in acute hospitals is consistent between assessors, but recommended cut-off scores and accuracy vary widely. Use it with clinical judgement, not as the sole guide.
• RNOther2025Translation, Adaptation, and Criterion Validation of the Family Caregiver Assessment Tool for French-Speaking Cardiovascular Patients in Canada (FAM-CAM-Fr).The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresIn 100 cardiovascular inpatients, the French caregiver FAM-CAM-Fr detected 58% of diagnosed delirium cases and rarely raised false alarms. Use it to add family observations, not to replace nurse assessment.
• SLPRNOther2026Assessment of Dry Mouth in a Palliative Population: A Comparison Between Patient-Reported Symptoms and Clinical Oral Dryness Scale Measurements.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePalliative patients rated dry mouth severe in 30% and moderate in 52.5%; objective oral dryness was severe in 5%, moderate in 25%, mild in 10%. 85% reported difficulty talking. Ask patients about speech, eating and sleep, not just the mouth exam.
• RNQualitative2026Overcoming Shame to Vocalise During Childbirth: A Qualitative Interview Study.Journal of advanced nursingWomen described shame when labouring sounds made them feel exposed or judged. They used their voice more freely when they accepted it, stayed in their bodies, and had supportive midwives or partners who welcomed or joined them.
• RNQualitative2026Grit in the Workplace Experienced by Taiwanese Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: A Phenomenological Study.Journal of clinical nursingEmployed Taiwanese adults with congenital heart disease described managing work by choosing low-pressure jobs, pacing shifts, relying on family and colleagues, and seeing grit as persistence that respected health limits rather than pushing through pain.
• RNSystematic Review2026Instruments to Assess Family Focused Care in Nursing Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties.Journal of clinical nursingThe Family Nursing Practice Scale, Iceland Family Perceived Support Questionnaire, and Perception of Family Centred Care Staff and Parents questionnaire are the strongest tools for assessing family-focused care. No instrument is perfect; selection depends on whether you need staff or family perspectives.
• RNCohort2026Predictors of Pressure Injuries in Older Residents Living in Nursing Homes in Sri Lanka: A Prospective Multi-Site Cohort Study.Journal of advanced nursingIn Sri Lankan nursing homes, having a pressure injury at baseline and having more medical devices were the only factors that predicted a new pressure injury in the final analysis. Check skin and device placement closely.
• PTRNQualitative2025Immediate Mobilisation After Elective Colorectal Surgery-Patients' and Healthcare Professionals' Experiences: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesPatients and staff described immediate mobilisation 30 minutes after colorectal surgery as both helpful and hard. Some felt dizzy, nauseated, afraid or reluctant; others felt supported, safer and ready. Staff said it needed time, skill, collaboration and space.
• RNPilot2025Inflammation markers associated with symptoms and neighborhood deprivation in black adults with heart failure.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careIn 41 Black adults with heart failure, higher neighborhood deprivation was linked to more stress and poor sleep, and several blood markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were linked to worse breathing, fatigue, mood, and symptom burden. These were associations, not proof of cause.
• RNQualitative2025Use of cognitive interviews to develop PrEP education for men in New York and Alabama.Patient education and counselingYoung gay and bisexual men found two HIV prevention videos useful but wanted simpler terms, cost and access details, and more inclusive images. The videos were not tested as effective education.
• RNQualitative2025Try to Look Again: A Phenomenological Study of Recognising Humanness in People Living With Advanced Dementia.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesResidents with advanced dementia expressed humanness through everyday actions, relationships, and attempts to make sense of their surroundings. Behaviours such as aggression, repetition or apathy may be human expressions that need a second look.
• RNRCT2025Exploring Factors Associated with Sleep Quality After Lung Transplantation.Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)65 of 88 lung transplant recipients reported poor sleep. Psychological distress was the main factor linked to poor sleep, and wheezing also stood out; daily step count did not differ between sleep groups.
• RNCohort2025Diagnoses Associated With Hospitalization of Nursing Home Residents With Severe Functional Impairment and Terminal Illness.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationNursing home residents with severe impairment or terminal illness had many potentially avoidable hospitalizations and ED visits, often from UTI, pneumonia, head trauma, and feeding-tube problems.
• RNSystematic Review2025Climate Change Integration in Nursing Academic Curricula and Continuing Education: A Scoping Review.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresNursing curricula rarely include climate change content, leaving nurses unprepared to manage heat-related illness or vector-borne diseases. Educational interventions improve nurses' awareness and intent to act, but evidence linking this training to actual patient outcomes is missing.
• RNSystematic Review2025Transportation Services in Society for Individuals Living With Dementia in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Scoping Review.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOnly five studies examined transportation insecurity for residents with dementia in long-term care. None used a standard measure or fully described needs, affordability, accessibility, or dementia type and stage, so there is little evidence to guide care.
• RNQualitative2025A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experience of Double-Duty Nurse Caregivers.Western journal of nursing researchNurses who also care for family members described being unable to stop 'being a nurse,' leading to burnout and financial strain. They valued the insider knowledge for advocacy but needed peer support groups and flexible workplaces to manage the dual role.
• RNCohort2025Is Adherence Theory for Patients With Chronic Disease Robust?: A Critical Evaluation in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingAdherence theory held up over 6 years for the whole group but failed for women. Motivation predicted adherence for men long-term, while informational support linked to positive care results for women. Gender-specific counseling is needed, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
• RNSystematic Review2026The Use of Triage in Primary Care in the UK: An Integrative Review and Narrative Synthesis.Journal of advanced nursingNurse-led telephone triage in UK primary care shifted work from GPs to nurses, but some studies increased total contacts and showed mis-triage, low compliance and access inequities.
• RNQualitative2026A Qualitative Study Exploring Nursing Scope of Practice for the Care of People Experiencing Homelessness.Journal of advanced nursingPeople experiencing homelessness and nurses said care should be non-judgemental, flexible and culturally safe, with nurses able to assess physical and mental health, manage wounds and medications, and navigate services. These are perceptions, not tested effects.
• RNRCT2025The Role of Social Support on Self-Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Qualitative Analysis.Journal of midwifery & women's healthPregnant and postpartum patients with gestational diabetes said family, friends, and support groups helped with appointments, food, glucose checks, and motivation. Some support also caused stress through stigma, limited knowledge, or overly controlling reminders.
• RNSystematic Review2025Self-management interventions to improve health outcomes in youth living with congenital heart disease: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.European journal of cardiovascular nursingTransition support programmes for young people with congenital heart disease did not show better hospitalization or reintervention results, but some improved self-management, transition readiness, and self-efficacy.
• RNQualitative2025Patients' Perspectives on Postoperative Follow-Up Calls in Day Surgery: A Qualitative Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesDay surgery patients wanted a nurse to call about a week after surgery, after pain and symptoms settle. They said the call would reduce worry, maintain contact with the unit, and cover wound healing, pain, activity, and coping at home.
• RNCase Series2025Potential Influence of Acute Dysregulated Sleep on Fall Incidence Among Low-Income Older Women: A Case Study.Journal of gerontological nursingTwo low-income older women had sleep differences the night before a fall: one slept 267 minutes versus a 429-minute average; the other had more deep sleep and less REM sleep. This cannot prove sleep caused the fall.
• RNMeta-Analysis2025The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holistic nursing practiceAdults given lavender oil had better sleep scores overall, but the result was inconsistent. Scores improved after at least 2 weeks and with placebo controls, not with usual care or no intervention.
• RNSystematic Review2025What Is Known About Family-Inclusive Inpatient Care From Patient and Family Perspectives? An Integrative Review.Journal of advanced nursingPatients and families described culturally safe care, relationship building, and clear information as helping them feel included. Culturally unsafe care, unwelcoming environments, inconsistent rules, and poor communication made them feel excluded. These are experiences, not proof any intervention works.
• SLPRNOther2026Standards of care for pediatric clinical service delivery: A rapid scoping review.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityPediatric service standards were mapped across 53 sources. Frameworks used three, four, and six service levels. Only eight described integration, mainly in pediatric intensive care and palliative care.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Disempowerment Among Adults With Chronic Illness: A Concept Analysis Using the Walker and Avant Method.Journal of advanced nursingDisempowerment among adults with chronic illness meant dissatisfaction when chances to understand, manage, and control daily life shrank. It can arise from illness itself, not only poor care, and may lead to withdrawal, distrust, or refusing care.
• RNQualitative2025Nurturing Connection: The Emotional and Existential Dimensions of the Relationship Between Older Women and Registered Nurses in Aged Care.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesOlder women and home-care nurses described their relationship as more than task delivery. Women valued nurses who noticed their home, shared life beyond care, and stayed consistent; nurses felt time and turnover made this hard.
• RNOther2025Factors Influencing Mistriage Based on the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingEmergency nurses using the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale misclassified adult ED patients, with under-triage linked to low blood pressure and fever, and over-triage to pain, younger age, and less triage experience.
• RNCohort2025Received Knowledge of Care as Evaluated by Patients and Their Significant Others: A Feedback-Register Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesPatients and significant others rated knowledge received about hospital care as positive overall, but feedback was less positive before care, among significant others, emergency admissions and lower perceived quality. Nurses should pay attention to education before care, emergency care and significant others.
• RNQualitative2025Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Help-seeking Behaviors: Experiences and Perspectives of Young 1.5-Generation Bangladeshi Women in Toronto.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresTen young Bangladeshi women in Toronto said they knew little about sexual and reproductive health screening, feared family doctors would tell relatives, and relied on mothers, peers, apps, and university clinics.
• RNCohort2025Effects of Sociospatial Inequality on Exposure to Stress, Symptoms of Depression, and Cortisol Rhythms in Pregnancy.Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNNCortisol slope and total output were not linked to sociospatial inequality. Pregnant women in concentrated privilege areas had fewer lifetime stress exposures, and elevated depression symptoms were more likely in concentrated deprivation. Income extremes showed larger cortisol rhythm fluctuations.
• OTRNMeta-Analysis2025Dyadic Interventions for Promoting Healthy Diets in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nursing & health sciencesDiet interventions that included an adult patient's informal caregiver lowered sodium and improved short-term self-care, knowledge and support. They did not improve lipids, and many benefits faded over longer follow-up.
• RNCohort2025Impact of Nurse-Led Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management Program on 1-Year Outcomes in Patients on Hemodialysis Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingPatients on hemodialysis after PCI who received nurse-led risk management had a greater 1-year reduction in cardiovascular risk and fewer major adverse cardiovascular events than usual care. The study was retrospective, so this is not proof the program caused benefit.
• RNOther2026Mealtime Support by Direct Care Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities: Secondary Behavioural Analysis of Videos.Journal of advanced nursingVideo analysis of dementia mealtime care in South Korean long-term care found support was mostly affirmative but narrow. Workers spent most time on one-to-one assistance, rarely used names, comfort checks, or alternatives when residents refused.
• PTOTRNCohort2026How Often Are Hospitalised Children Physically Restrained During Painful and Stressful Procedures?Journal of clinical nursingPhysical restraint was observed in 22.3% of 1210 procedures in stable hospitalised children, rising to 32.9% during painful ones. Restraint clustered on airway suctioning, tube insertion and nasal lavage, and was most likely in infants and children crying or in distress.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026The Effect of Theory-Guided Positive Psychological Interventions for Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical nursingTheory-guided positive psychological interventions improved quality of life in 412 breast cancer patients across five randomised trials, with moderate certainty.
• RNSurvey2026The Relationship Between Quality of Discharge Teaching and Oral Nutritional Supplementation Adherence in Postoperative Patients With Gastric Cancer: A Chain Mediated Role of Readiness for Hospital Discharge and Medication Beliefs.Journal of clinical nursingHigher reported discharge teaching quality was linked to greater discharge readiness, stronger beliefs about supplements, and better oral nutritional supplement adherence in 505 gastric cancer patients at one month. This is association, not proof teaching caused adherence.
• RNQualitative2025Perspectives of Nurses and Adolescents About Pro Re Nata Treatment in Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Units: A Qualitative Study.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursingAdolescents and nurses described PRN medication as a tool for autonomy and dialogue rather than just symptom control. Nurses used PRN requests to gauge distress levels and build trust, while adolescents viewed the transition to PRN as a step toward discharge and self-management.
• RNQualitative2025Digital Health Applications in Access to Health Service From the Perspective of Older Adults: "It Is Difficult to Keep up With the Digital Age …".Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Nine older adults in Türkiye said digital health apps were either easy or hard, often because steps were confusing, they feared mistakes, or they lacked training. Only three used services alone. Nurses cannot assume older patients can use appointment systems independently.
• RNQualitative2025Intercultural Dilemmas in Cancer Care: Perspectives From Family Caregivers of Immigrant Patients.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesFour family caregivers of immigrant cancer patients described being forced to act as interpreters without training. They feared causing medical errors, struggled with translating sensitive sexual health information, and faced ethical conflicts when patients hid symptoms to preserve pride.