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.

10,756 PAPERS · PAGE 69 OF 216 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNOther2021Pediatric early warning score versus a paediatric triage tool in the emergency department: A reliability study.Nursing openIn Norwegian paediatric emergency departments, PEWS triage often disagreed with RETTS-p and missed many children RETTS-p classified most urgent. Nurses should not rely on PEWS alone to identify children needing immediate physician review.
• RNSystematic Review2021Factors associated with parenting self-efficacy: A systematic review.Journal of advanced nursingMothers with higher depression or parenting stress, and mothers of children with difficult temperament, reported lower confidence in parenting. Higher social support and income were linked to greater confidence, but most evidence was cross-sectional and mostly about mothers.
• RNOther2021Validation of the Persian version of the Compassionate Care Assessment Tool.International journal of nursing sciencesA Persian questionnaire for hospitalized patients' views of compassionate nursing generally worked, but one part was less consistent. Use it for patient experience, not to judge individual nurses.
• RNRCT2021A randomized clinical trial of a new perioperative practice model on anxiety and health-related quality of life in arthroplasty patients.Nursing openAssigning the same anaesthesia nurse throughout arthroplasty care did not reduce anxiety or improve health-related quality of life more than standard care. Both groups improved after surgery, but the continuity model was not superior.
• RNSurvey2021Individual, interpersonal, and health care factors associated with informal and formal advance care planning in a nationally-representative sample of midlife and older adults.Patient education and counselingTalking to a provider about end-of-life wishes was strongly linked to having those conversations and completing legal documents. Being appointed as someone else's health care decision-maker was the single strongest factor associated with formal planning.
• RNCase Report2021Intermittent ice-cooling to prevent skin heat injury caused by high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy targeting desmoid-type fibromatosis: A case report.International journal of nursing sciencesIn a patient receiving high-intensity focused ultrasound for desmoid-type fibromatosis, intermittent ice-cooling during treatment pauses was associated with no obvious skin injury in later sessions. The report does not show the cooling prevented burns.
• RNSystematic Review2021Adverse Childhood Experiences and Blood Pressure in Women in the United States: A Systematic Review.Journal of midwifery & women's healthIn adult women, adverse childhood experiences were not consistently linked to hypertension. Half of the studies found positive associations, including childhood sexual abuse, but blood pressure results from objective measurements were less consistent.
• RNCase Series2021Management of labour, puerperium, and lactation in SARS-CoV-2 positive women. Multicentric study in the Valencian Community.Enfermeria clinicaAll 13 new-born babies of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers tested negative, but 7 were separated from mothers and 3 mothers chose artificial feeding.
• RNMeta-Analysis2021Effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy on pain in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesDog-assisted therapy lowered children's pain scores across seven trials, but did not clearly reduce children's or parents' anxiety. Physiological measures were inconsistent, and the evidence base was small and mixed quality.
• RNRCT2021Recitation of quran and music to reduce chemotherapy-induced anxiety among adult patients with cancer: A clinical trial.Nursing openFor adult cancer patients before chemotherapy, both Quran and music lowered anxiety scores more than waiting. They did not differ from each other. Waiting alone also lowered scores.
• PTOTRNOther2021Daytime activity and sleep are associated with motor function in older intensive care unit survivors.Heart & lung : the journal of critical careOlder ICU survivors with less daytime activity had weaker grip and slower pegboard dexterity; more daytime sleep/rest was also linked to worse grip and dexterity. These are associations, not proof that changing activity or sleep improves function.
• RNSystematic Review2021Rapid review of virus risk communication interventions: Directions for COVID-19.Patient education and counselingVirus risk messages can improve people's understanding of risk, their beliefs about protective actions, and some intentions or behaviors. The evidence was strongest for HIV/AIDS, weakest for influenza, and too low quality to recommend one message format.
• RNCohort2021Racial differences in patient perception of interactions with providers are associated with health outcomes in type II diabetes.Patient education and counselingHbA1c and medication adherence did not differ between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White diabetes patients, but clearer explanations and less hurried care were linked to lower estimated HbA1c in non-Hispanic Black patients; disrespect and discrimination were linked to poorer adherence and missed visits.
• RNSurvey2021Intimate partner violence, prenatal stress, and substance use among pregnant Black women.Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)Pregnant Black women who reported partner violence in the year before pregnancy had higher stress and were more likely to smoke cigarettes or use marijuana during pregnancy. Ask about past violence at prenatal visits, not just current violence.
• RNRCT2021Effects of person-centred care via telephone on self-efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial.Nursing openNurse telephone support added to usual care improved COPD patients' confidence in controlling their illness, but did not improve global self-efficacy or function.
• RNCohort2021Family involvement in pregnancy and psychological health among pregnant Black women.Archives of psychiatric nursingMore frequent family involvement was associated with lower depressive symptoms, stress and pregnancy-related anxiety, and higher well-being among pregnant Black women. The authors suggest prenatal nurses ask simple family-involvement questions to identify women at risk.
• RNCohort2021Associations between social determinants of health, perceived discrimination, and body mass index on symptoms of depression among young African American mothers.Archives of psychiatric nursingDepression scores showed no change over 18 months, except age was associated with a higher score. Higher initial BMI and more unfair treatment were linked to higher initial depression scores.
• RNSurvey2021Psycho-emotional adjustment in parents of adolescents: A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the impact of the COVID pandemic.Journal of pediatric nursingParents of adolescents reported low anxiety and depression early in Spain's state of alert, with stress highest. Lower resilience predicted more anxiety and depression; unemployment, prior mental health problems, and bereavement were linked to worse mood.
• RNCohort2021Better nurse work environments associated with fewer readmissions and shorter length of stay among adults with ischemic stroke: A cross-sectional analysis of United States hospitals.Research in nursing & healthHospitals with better nurse work environments had lower 7- and 30-day readmissions and shorter stays for stroke patients. Improving nursing supports, autonomy, and teamwork may help patients recover and go home sooner.
• RNSurvey2021Relationship between perceived social support and psychological hardiness with family communication patterns and quality of life of oncology patients.Nursing openPerceived social support strongly predicted better quality of life in cancer patients. Family communication patterns, however, were linked to lower quality of life. Psychological hardiness showed no significant effect. Nurses should prioritize strengthening social support networks over assuming family closeness automatically improves patient well-being.
• RNQualitative2021Perceptions of superwoman schema and stress among African American women with pre-diabetes.Archives of psychiatric nursingAfrican American women with prediabetes described feeling obligated to appear strong, suppress emotions, and care for others. These obligations postponed appointments and self-care, and stress came partly from taking on loved ones' burdens.
• RNCohort2021Hospital-at-Home Expands Hospital Capacity During COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association917 carefully selected patients with COVID-19 were managed at home with telephone monitoring and reported oxygen saturation when needed, adding hospital capacity. 57 needed emergency referral, and 1 died, so this was a single-center service experience, not proof for sicker patients.
• RNQualitative2021The division and transfer of care responsibilities in paediatric type 1 diabetes: A qualitative study on parental perspectives.Journal of advanced nursingParents of children with diabetes described transferring care as ongoing and uneven, not a one-time handover. Age alone did not fit all families; recent lows, technology, child confidence and parent fears shaped who remembered, decided and performed tasks.
• RNSurvey2021The positive effect of social support on psychological distress among Chinese lung cancer patients: The mediating role of self-esteem.Nursing openChinese lung cancer patients with more social support had less psychological distress, and patients with higher self-esteem had less distress. The study was cross-sectional, so it does not prove that support or self-esteem reduces distress.
• RNQualitative2021Comfort Needs of Cancer Family Caregivers in Outpatient Palliative Care.Journal of hospice and palliative nursing : JHPN : the official journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses AssociationCancer family caregivers in outpatient palliative care said they needed understandable information, confidence in caregiving tasks, emotional and practical support, help navigating care, money for travel and lodging, and sleep.
• RNSurvey2021Psychometric properties of Postpartum Partner Support Scale-Persian version.Nursing openThe Persian 20-item postpartum partner support questionnaire was usable for 270 first-time mothers in Iran. Women reporting more support also reported fewer depressive symptoms.
• RNQualitative2021A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Living With Multiple Myeloma.Oncology nursing forumPeople living with multiple myeloma described treatment as endless, with maintenance therapy continuing even in remission. Fatigue, neuropathy, diarrhea, infection worry, money stress, and relationship strain limited daily life and social participation.
• RNOtherPatient Perspectives of Sickle Cell Management in the Emergency Department.Critical care nursing quarterlyPatients with sickle cell pain reported waiting long ED times, feeling disbelieved, and leaving without follow-up or transport. Many managed severe pain at home. The study describes these barriers; it did not test ED nursing changes.
• RNQualitative"Talking Around It": A Qualitative Study Exploring Dyadic Congruence in Managing the Uncertainty of Living With a Ventricular Assist Device.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingPatients with a ventricular assist device grew less anxious as they adjusted, but caregivers stayed on alert. Many participants avoided or talked around end of life, and only some dyads matched on how they think about death.
• RNCohortSudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse Resulting in Newborn Death in the United States.MCN. The American journal of maternal child nursingMost deaths from sudden unexpected postnatal collapse occurred on days 3 to 6, not just day 1. Maternity nurses should monitor and counsel families through the first week, not only the first 24 hours.
• RNQualitativeI Wouldn't Let it Get to Me: Pregnant Black Women's Experiences of Discrimination.MCN. The American journal of maternal child nursingBlack pregnant women described varied experiences of racism, including police harassment and workplace discrimination, but seven reported none. Many shielded themselves by avoiding, minimizing, or saying harm occurs only if you let it.
• RNNarrative ReviewA Review of Chronic Comorbidities in Adults Living With HIV: State of the Science.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACAdults living with HIV face higher cardiovascular, lung, liver, anal-cancer, diabetes, and kidney risks. Nurses are urged to screen, counsel on smoking and alcohol, link to treatment, vaccinate, and check HIV medication interactions.
• PTRNQualitative2021Usability testing of tablet-based cognitive behavioral intervention application to improve a simple walking activity for older adults with arthritis fatigue.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults with arthritis fatigue found a tablet app easy to use and helpful for planning walking, but reported trouble holding it, operating video calls, and stiff wristbands. It shows usability issues, not that walking or fatigue improved.
• RNSurvey2021Sociodemographic Indicators of Social Position and Self-care Maintenance in Adults with Heart Failure.Clinical nursing researchIn adults with chronic heart failure, race, education, and marital status were weakly linked to self-care maintenance scores. Together they explained only 3.8% of score differences, so they are not strong predictors.
• RNSurvey2021Sense of coherence and coping strategies: How they influence quality of life in Iranian women with breast cancer.Nursing openHigher sense of coherence was associated with better quality of life in Iranian breast cancer outpatients. Emotional support and positive reframing were more strongly associated with quality of life when coherence was lower, but the study did not test whether raising coherence improves outcomes.
• RNSurvey2021Integrating health behavior theories to predict American's intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.Patient education and counselingAmong US adults, intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine was higher with positive attitudes toward vaccines, perceived community benefit, fear, and believing others would get vaccinated. Safety concerns were linked to lower intention. Susceptibility, severity, self-efficacy, and demographics were not linked.
• RNQualitative2021Risk perceptions of COVID-19 and its impact on precautionary behavior: A qualitative study.Patient education and counselingDuring curfew, Saudi community members named social gatherings and hospitals/clinics as riskiest places. Some avoided appointments and trusted WhatsApp remedies, while stigma and fear of clinics were part of what they reported.
• RNSurvey2021The association between diabetes-related distress and fear of hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional descriptive study.Nursing openPatients with type 2 diabetes who had recent low blood sugar episodes reported higher fear of hypoglycaemia alongside higher diabetes distress. The link held when age, clinical and lifestyle factors were considered.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2021Appropriateness of Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Transfer: A Multicenter Study of Medicare ACO Beneficiaries.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOnly 31.4% of LTACH transfers were clinically appropriate. Most inappropriate transfers involved wound care or IV infusions manageable in skilled nursing facilities. Current Medicare payment criteria poorly distinguish appropriate cases, though stricter ICU stay requirements improve identification.
• RNOther2021Leveraging telemedicine for management of veterans with heart failure during COVID-19.Journal of the American Association of Nurse PractitionersAll in-person heart failure appointments were converted to telemedicine for 132 veterans, with zero no-shows from week three. Video visits increased to 24%, but the report gives process counts, not clinical outcomes.
• RNOther2021Midwife-performed checklist and ultrasound to identify obstetric conditions at labour triage in Uganda: A quasi-experimental study.MidwiferyOverall correct identification of women with and without labour complications did not improve. Midwife-performed standardised documentation, a triage checklist and limited ultrasound flagged more complications, but also more false alarms.
• RNCohort2021Personalized Risk Prediction for 30-Day Readmissions With Venous Thromboembolism Using Machine Learning.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingA model built from hospital records flagged adults likely to return within 30 days with blood clots. The best internal version scored 0.84 on a 0-to-1 performance scale and caught true cases at 0.74, but no patient care was tested.
• RNCohort2021Associations between symptoms of pain, insomnia and depression, and frailty in older adults: A cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study.International journal of nursing studiesIn 7609 community-dwelling older adults, bothersome pain, trouble falling asleep and depressive symptoms were each linked with being pre-frail or frail. The link was strongest when depressive symptoms occurred with pain or trouble falling asleep.
• RNSurvey2021Influence of cognitive function and nurse support on malnutrition risk in nursing home residents.Nursing openIn nursing homes, better cognitive function and self-care capacity predicted lower malnutrition risk. Nurse support during feeding did not predict nutritional status, but residents with normal cognitive function received more feeding assistance than those with severe impairment.
• RNOther2021Transcultural adaptation of the children's anxiety questionnaire in Brazil.Nursing openA face-based anxiety questionnaire for children now exists in Brazilian Portuguese after expert and child testing, but nurses should not treat it as validated until further testing is done.
• RNOtherGender Differences in the Relationship Between Financial Stress and Metabolic Abnormalities.Nursing researchHigher financial stress was associated with abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia, but not type 2 diabetes or hypertension, in 457 mostly White middle-aged and older adults. Among women, financial stress was also associated with prediabetes; among men, with hypertriglyceridemia.
• RNCohortPoor Sleep Predicts Increased Pain Perception Among Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment.Nursing researchMore night waking and less time asleep in bed were associated with higher pain over the next week in 15 adults with mild cognitive impairment. Total sleep hours were not. Ask about night waking when pain rises.
• RNPilotFeasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects of "Mindful Moms": A Mindful Physical Activity Intervention for Pregnant Women with Depression.Nursing researchPregnant women with depression who received nurse-led mindfulness and goal setting, weekly prenatal yoga, and home-based physical activity self-management reported lower depressive symptoms over time; the programme was feasible and acceptable. This pilot cannot separate the parts.
• RNRCT2021Effect of guided imagery on anxiety, muscle pain, and vital signs in patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial.Complementary therapies in clinical practiceIn isolated COVID-19 patients, ten sessions of nurse-led guided imagery reduced anxiety and muscle pain compared with routine care alone. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure and oxygen saturation also shifted in the guided imagery group.
• RNPilot2021Pulmonary Microbiome of Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: Changes Over Time.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesIn 16 ventilated patients, tracheal bacterial diversity fell over time. The decrease was significant in controls but not in the oral-suctioning group. This pilot cannot show suctioning works; it only suggests airway microbiome changes during ventilation.