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Abstract Background Over the years, national and international nurses’ organisations have drawn up Codes of Conduct and Codes of Ethics. A new differentiation has emerged over time between mandatory and aspirational approaches underlying how nurses can be supported by documents with rules to be respected (mandatory ethics) or by incentives (aspirational ethics). However, to date, no research has applied these approaches to analyse available Codes and to identify which approach are predominantly used. Methods In this case study, the Italian Nursing Code of Conduct (NCC), published in 2019, composed of 53 articles distributed in eight chapters, was first translated, and then analysed using a developed matrix to identify the articles that refer to mandatory or aspirational ethics. A nominal group technique was used to minimise subjectivity in the evaluation process. Results A total of 49 articles addressing the actions of the individual nurse were considered out of 53 composing the NNC. Articles were broken down into 97 units (from one to four for each article): 89 units (91.8%) were attributed to a unique category, while eight (8.2%) to two categories according to their meaning. A total of 38 units (39.2%) were categorised under the mandatory ethics and 58 (59.8%) under the aspirational ethics; however, one (1.0%) reflected both mandatory and aspirational ethics. Conclusions According to the findings, the Italian Professional Body (FNOPI) has issued a modern code for nursing professionals in which an aspirational perspective is dominant offering a good example for other nursing organisations in the process of updating their codes when aimed at embodying an aspirational ethics.

Abstract Background Unfinished Nursing Care (UNC) has been documented also during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; however, while several secondary studies were conducted before this period to summarise occurrences, reasons, and consequences of UNC and provide a global picture of the phenomenon, no synthesis of the evidence produced during the pandemic has been documented to date. Therefore, the aim of this review is to identify differences, if any, in the UNC occurrence, reasons, and consequences perceived by nurses caring for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Methods This study is a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023410602). According to the Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes framework, primary comparative cross-sectional, longitudinal, and cohort studies, randomised/non-randomised controlled trials were included from Medline, CINAHL, and Scopus, collecting perceptions of nurses with tools measuring UNC between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients and published in English, Italian, or Turkish. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline and Johanna Briggs Quality Appraisal Tool were used, and findings were summarised narratively. Results Five hospital-based cross-sectional studies using the self-administered MISSCARE and UNC Survey comparing data collected (a) before the pandemic vs. in the first wave; (b) before, in the second and in the third wave; and (c) simultaneously among COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients in the second wave. Three main patterns emerged suggesting a higher UNC occurrence among COVID-19 patients in the first wave, less occurrence among them compared to non-COVID-19 patients in the second wave, and contrasting findings with some in favour and others in contrast to COVID-19 patients. Similar patterns emerged regarding UNC reasons while no studies investigated the UNC consequences. Conclusions In the first wave, COVID-19 patients were likely to be at increased risk of UNC, while in later waves non-COVID-19 patients were at increased risk of UNC. Reasons also were different across waves. Findings documented during the COVID-19 pandemic may help to prevent UNC in future disasters.

Abstract Background Job satisfaction is a key factor for the successful transition of newly graduated nurses (NGNs) and for retaining NGNs in their workplaces. However, there is limited evidence of the relationship between satisfaction regarding the nursing education program and NGNs’ job satisfaction in the first year after graduation. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association of the nursing education related factors and NGNs’ job satisfaction. Methods A cross-sectional study design with the utilization of data collected from the same respondents one year earlier as educational factors was applied. The data were collected from NGNs (n = 557) in 10 European countries using an electronic survey between February 2019 and September 2020, and analyzed in detail for four countries (n = 417). Job satisfaction was measured with three questions: satisfaction with current job, quality of care in the workplace, and nursing profession. Nursing education related factors were satisfaction with nursing education program, level of study achievements, nursing as the 1st study choice, intention to stay in nursing, and generic nursing competence. The data were analyzed statistically using logistic regression. Results Most of the NGNs in the 10 countries were satisfied with their current job (88.3%), the quality of care (86.4%) and nursing profession (83.8%). Finnish, German, Lithuanian and Spanish NGNs’ satisfaction with the nursing education program at graduation was statistically significantly associated with their job satisfaction, i.e., satisfaction with their current job, the quality of care, and the nursing profession. Moreover, NGNs who had fairly often or very often intention to stay in nursing at graduation were more satisfied with their current job, with the quality of care, and with the nursing profession compared with NGNs who had never or fairly seldom intention to stay in nursing at graduation. Conclusions Nursing education plays a significant role in NGNs’ job satisfaction one year after graduation, indicating the importance to start career planning already during nursing education. Both nursing education providers and healthcare organizations could plan in close collaboration a transition program for NGNs to ease the transition phase and thus increase the NGNs’ job satisfaction and ultimately the high-quality care of the patients.

Abstract Background In line with the impetus traceable among the nursing staff, studies regarding the perception of Unfinished Care among students have increased in recent years as also recommended by some policy documents in the consideration that, as future members of the staff, they are expected to raise concerns about failures in the standards of care. However, no discussion of their methodological requirements has been provided to date. The aim of this study is to debate Unfinished Care explorations among nursing students and developing recommendations. Methods A Rapid Review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, followed by a scientific discussion based on empirical evidence that emerged from the review combined with expert knowledge. Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Scopus databases were searched up to May 2022. Results In the last five years, seven studies have been conducted by researchers affiliated at the university level, involving from 18 to 737 undergraduate students across Europe. By critically analysing their key aspects, there are derived some recommendations in conducting investigations in this field as, (a) the hidden meaning of Unfinished Care investigations among students by also deciding which concept is mostly appropriate to investigate; (b) the need of establishing alliances with the clinical settings in order to involve them in such explorations; (c) more complex research methods capable of exploring this issue among students by promoting learning outcomes and not only a simple data collection; and (e) the influences of these explorations on students’ wellbeing, as well as on ethical implications and that regarding the relationship between the healthcare services and the universities. Conclusion Policymakers consider students to be key informants of the quality of nursing care issues witnessed during their clinical placements. The related emerging line of research is intriguing because of the underlying methodological, ethical and system complexities that need to be addressed according to some considerations.

Abstract Background Unfinished Nursing Care (UNC) concept, that express the condition when nurses are forced to delay or omit required nursing care, has been largely investigated as tasks left undone, missed care, and implicit rationing of nursing care. However, no summary of the available evidence regarding UNC antecedents has been published. The aim of this study is to identify and summarise antecedents of UNC as documented in primary studies to date. Methods A systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted. MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and PROSPERO databases were searched for quantitative studies reporting the relationships between antecedents and UNC published after 2004 up to 21 January 2020. The reference lists of secondary studies have been scrutinised to identify additional studies. Two reviewers independently identified studies and evaluated them for their eligibility and disagreements were resolved by the research team. The quality appraisal was based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools, according to the study designs. A data extraction grid was piloted and then used to extract data. The antecedents that emerged were thematically categorised with an inductive approach. Results Fifty-eight studies were included; among them, 54 were cross-sectional, three were cohort studies, and one was a quasi-experimental study. They were conducted mainly in the United States and in hospital settings. The UNC antecedents have been investigated to date at the (a) unit (e.g., workloads, non-nursing tasks), (b) nurse (e.g., age, gender), and (c) patient levels (clinical instability). Conclusions At the unit level, it is highly recommended to provide an adequate staff level, strategies to deal with unpredictable workloads, and to promote good practice environments to reduce or minimise UNC. By contrast, at the nurse and patient levels, there were no clear trends regarding modifiable factors that could decrease the occurrence of UNC. The map of antecedents that emerged can be used to design interventional studies aimed at changing research from merely descriptive to that which evaluates the effectiveness of interventions.

Abstract Background Nursing education has been disrupted by the onset of the COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, potentially impacting learning experiences and perceived competencies at the time of graduation. However, the learning experiences of students since the onset of COVID-19, their perceived competences achieved and the employment status one month after graduation, have not been traced to date. Methods A cross sectional online survey measured the individual profile, the learning experience in the last academic year and the perceived competences of the first COVID-19 new nursing graduates in two Italian universities. Details relating to employment status and place of employment (Covid-19 versus non-COVID-19 units) one month after graduation were also collected and the data compared with those reported by a similar cohort of new graduates pre-pandemic in 2018–2019. All those who graduated in November 2020 and attended their third year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were eligible. The online survey included individual, nursing programme and first working experience variables alongside the Nurse Competence Scale (NCS). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results A total of 323 new graduates participated. In their last academic year, they experienced a single, long clinical placement in non-COVID-19 units. One month after graduation, 54.5% (n = 176) were working in COVID-19 units, 22.9% (n = 74) in non-COVID-19 units and 22.6 (n = 73) were unemployed. There was no statistical difference among groups regarding individual variables and the competences perceived. Fewer new graduates working in COVID-19 units experienced a transition programme compared to those working in non-COVID-19 units (p = 0.053). At the NCS, the first COVID-19 new graduate generation perceived significantly lower competences than the pre-COVID-19 generation in the ‘Helping role’ factor and a significant higher in ‘Ensuring quality’ and ‘Therapeutic interventions’ factors. Conclusions The majority of the first COVID-19 new graduate generation had been employed in COVID-19 units without clinical experience and transition programmes, imposing an ethical debate regarding (a) the role of education in graduating nurses in challenging times with limited clinical placements; and (b) that of nurse managers and directors in ensuring safe transitions for new graduates. Despite the profound clinical placement revision, the first COVID-19 new graduate generation reported competences similar to those of the pre-COVID-19 generation, suggesting that the pandemic may have helped them to optimise the clinical learning process.

Abstract Background This study aimed to map and summarise the state of the research regarding doctoral programs in nursing, as well as the issues debated in the context of nursing doctoral education. A Scoping Review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension scoping reviews statement (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. Three electronic bibliographic data bases were searched: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete, Medline (on EBSCO Host) and SCOPUS to identify empirical studies published between January 2009 and December 2019. The review process was based on framework identified by Arksey and O’Malley and further revised by Levac and colleagues. Analysis was performed with the use of the Donabedian framework regarding the structure of the doctorate programmes, the process, and the outcomes. Results The review included 41 articles, mostly originating in the United States (n=26) and Europe (n=8), mainly by collecting the perceptions of students and faculty members with descriptive studies. The following issues were investigated at the (a) structure level: Prerequisite for doctoral candidates, Qualifications of faculty members, Mission of doctoral programs; (b) process level: Doctoral programs contents, Doctoral programs resources and quality, Mentoring and supervision, Doing doctorate abroad; and (c) outcome level: Academic performance outcomes in doctoral programs, Doctoral graduates’ competences, Doctoral students/graduates’ satisfaction, Doctoral graduates’ challenges. Conclusions Doctoral programs have mainly been investigated to date with descriptive studies, suggesting more robust research investigating the effectiveness of strategies to prepare future scientists in the nursing discipline. Doctorates are different across countries, and there is no visible cooperation of scholars internationally; their structure and processes have been reported to be stable over the years, thus not following the research development in nursing, discipline and practice expectations. Moreover, no clear framework of outcomes in the short- and long-term have been established to date to measure the quality and effectiveness of doctorate education. National and global strategies might establish common structure, process and outcome frameworks, as well as promote robust studies that are capable of assessing the effectiveness of this field of education.

Abstract Background Contrary to Missed Nursing Care, some anecdotal data and sparse evidence has documented the tendency of nurses to anticipate some nursing interventions. However, no study has been conducted to date with the purpose of understanding this phenomenon and its underlying mechanisms and consequences. The aim of this study was to describe the phenomenon of delivering anticipated nursing care, its antecedents and consequences as perceived by nurses. Method A descriptive qualitative study. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines were followed. A purposeful sample of 17 clinical nurses and nurse managers working in three Italian hospitals were interviewed in depth in 2019. The audio-recorded interviews were verbatim transcribed and thematically analysed. Results ‘Anticipated Nursing Care’ is delivered significantly earlier than when expected by nurses in their care plan, by patients, by caregivers and by other members of the team. Medication administration, mobilisation of patients, hygiene care, changes of dressing, vital parameter monitoring, blood sampling and administrative activities were reported as interventions delivered before rather than when expected. Clinically stable patients have been reported to be at risk of receiving anticipated nursing care. Individual values and attitudes, group attitudes of being always ready for the “unexpected”, implicit group norms to “leave the patients and the unit in order”, high workloads, intertwined activities and work processes inside the units, have been reported as reasons for Anticipated Nursing Care. Effects of this phenomenon have been reported at the patients’ and at the nurses’ level. Conclusion Anticipated Nursing Care occurs when nurses perform interventions earlier than expected according to an implicit or explicit decision and not as a consequence of a request. The phenomenon requires future studies to detect its diffusion and to accumulate evidence. Its presence in daily practice, if confirmed, suggests that Missed Nursing Care studies should also consider the combined effect of these two phenomena as, on one hand, there may be the tendency to postpone and, on the other hand, the tendency to anticipate interventions.

Abstract Background Addressing eating difficulties among older individuals with dementia living in nursing homes requires evidence-based interventions. However, to date, there is limited evidence of effective interventions designed to maintain and/or increase independent eating. In a field in which evidence is still lacking, a critical analysis of the state of research describing its main features can help identify methodological gaps that future studies should address. Hence, the aim of this study was to map the state of the research designed to maintain and/or promote independent eating in older individuals with dementia living in nursing homes. Methods A scoping review was performed by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. Reviews and conceptual analyses performed with different methodological approaches, published in indexed journals, and written in English were included. Keywords Were searched for in the MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, and in the Scopus databases to identify papers published up to 31 May 2018. Results 17 reviews were included, assessing interventions’ effectiveness (n = 15) and providing conceptual frameworks for eating/mealtime difficulties (n = 2). Conceptual frameworks supporting interventions’ effectiveness have rarely been described in available studies. Moreover, interventions tested have been categorized according to non-homogeneous frameworks. Their effectiveness has been measured against (1) eating performance, (2) clinical outcomes, and (3) adverse event occurrence. Conclusion An increased use of conceptual frameworks in studies, as well as greater clarity in intervention categorization and outcomes, is necessary to enhance the reviews’ value in providing useful cumulative knowledge in this field. Interventions delivered should embody different components that integrate individual, social, cultural, and environmental factors, while when evaluating an intervention’s effectiveness, eating performance, clinical outcomes and adverse events should be considered. Together with more robust studies, involving clinicians could prove to be useful, as their knowledge of practice developed from direct experience can help develop innovative research questions.