Background: Empathy skills are essential components of nursing care plans for nursing students to provide high-quality care to patients and are closely associated with moral sensitivity.

Aim: This study aims to explore the relationship between nursing students’ empathy skills, moral sensitivity, and other related variables.

Methods: This research was designed as a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at a state university offering a four-year nursing program, with a sample size of 353 students. Data were collected via an online survey in March 2022. Students who agreed to participate voluntarily were included in the study. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression methods.

Results: A total of 353 students participated in the study, with a mean age of 21.83 ± 1.39 years. The mean empathy score was 162.03 ± 25.40, and the mean moral sensitivity score was 97.63 ± 30.21, indicating moderate levels for both. The Holistic Approach sub-dimension of moral sensitivity (r = -0.309, P = 0.021) and the Interpersonal Orientation subdimension (-0.260, P = 0.001) were associated with empathy skills and positively influenced their development. Additionally, the Execution sub-dimension of the moral sensitivity questionnaire was identified as a predictor of empathy skills (B = -1.27, P = 0.002).

Conclusion: Moral sensitivity is an important factor in the development of empathy skills among nursing students. However, the empathy skills of nursing students were found to be below the desired level. To enhance the empathy skills of nursing students, theoretical course content should be enriched, and their empathy levels should be assessed through bedside observations during clinical practice.

Background: Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.6 in magnitude, struck Türkiye on February 6, 2023, causing widespread devastation and significant loss of life across 11 provinces. In the aftermath of such disasters, a well-coordinated, rapid, and accessible emergency response is critical. However, the well-being of rescuers, an essential factor that significantly impacts their performance, is often overlooked, despite its crucial role in disaster search and rescue operations. Addressing these challenges is vital for enhancing the effectiveness of disaster management and saving more lives.

Aim: This study aims to identify the problems faced during rescue operations in order to improve disaster response and prevention efforts in Türkiye, a country prone to earthquakes. It also seeks to enhance healthcare services, nursing care, and disaster preparedness among healthcare workers, nurses, and the broader society.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, using Grounded Theory methodology. The sample consisted of 19 participants selected from among healthcare workers and search-and-rescue teams. Data were collected through online meetings conducted via Google Meet. Participants responded to a semi-structured questionnaire comprising 16 open-ended questions related to their personal backgrounds and earthquake experiences. Data were analyzed using content analysis with the support of the MAXQDA software.

Results: A total of 19 individuals, twelve females and seven males, participated in the study. Four main themes and ten associated codes were identified. The main themes were: (i) Scale of the Disaster, (ii) Challenges During the Disaster Response, (iii) Life After Returning from the Disaster Area, and (iv) Preparedness for Future Disasters. Through interviews conducted using the Grounded Theory method, a conceptual framework titled “Frontline Rescuer's Resilience Against Disasters” was developed based on participants' responses. This framework synthesizes elements from various theories, including Post-Traumatic Growth, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and stress response theory.

Conclusion: Search and rescue training should be provided to healthcare workers, nurses, and the general public, with a particular emphasis on building resilience in the face of disasters. Additionally, small, localized teams should be formed to plan and prepare for future disasters at the regional level. Policymakers should develop and enforce targeted legislative actions aimed at implementing preventive policies.

Background: Professional commitment is a concept that influences one’s interest in continuing a profession and engaging in professional development after graduation. Postgraduate education plays a key role in supporting such development by offering valuable opportunities for individuals to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the level of professional commitment among intern students and their views on pursuing postgraduate education.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among intern students (n=315) at a Faculty of Nursing between May and June 2017. The research sample consisted of 251 intern students who voluntarily agreed to participate, without any sampling method being applied. Data were collected using the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale and an introductory form that included items on opinions about postgraduate education. Data analysis included frequency, mean, percentage distribution, Pearson correlation, t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis (KW) tests.

Results: The students’ average score on the Nursing Professional Commitment Scale was 78.25±13.27. Subdimensions scores were as follows: “Willingness to Exert Effort” – 39.88±7.97, “Maintaining Professional Membership” – 23.29±6.33, and “Devotion to Goals and Values” – 15.08±2.92. The mean scores for total professional commitment, “Willingness to Exert Effort,” and “Maintaining Professional Membership” were significantly higher among students who had voluntarily chosen the nursing profession (p<0.01). It was found that 63.3% of the students were considering postgraduate education, 38.6% aimed to pursue an academic career, and 77.7% believed that postgraduate education contributes to the professional identity of nursing.

Conclusion: Intern students who willingly chose the nursing profession demonstrated a higher level of professional commitment. Additionally, the majority of students were considering postgraduate education and viewed it as a key factor in enhancing the professionalism of the nursing field.

Background: Patients’ perceptions of illness and their satisfaction with nursing care significantly impact the overall quality of healthcare.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between hospitalized patients' perceptions of illness and their satisfaction with nursing care.

Methods: This descriptive and correlational study included a sample of hospitalized 255 patients. Data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, the Illness Perception Questionnaire, and the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face surveys between July 2022 and July 2023. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.29±15.93 years, with an average hospital stay of 3.24±1.58 days and a mean number of hospitalizations of 2.07 ± 0.86. Among the participants, 59.6% were female, 75.3% were married, and 53.3% reported a middle income level. Pain (90.2%) and fatigue (63.5%) were the most frequently reported symptoms since the onset of illness. The mean total score of the “Opinions About the Illness” subscale was 117.53±10.41, while the mean score for the “Illness Causal Subscale” was 35.24±10.31. The mean total score on the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale was 63.81±12.18. A statistically significant, weak positive correlation was found between patients’ total scores on the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale and the Illness Identity Subscale, specifically, the item “I have experienced this symptom since the beginning of my illness” (r=0.244; p=0.000) and the item “This symptom is related to my disease” (r=0.253; p=0.000).

Conclusion: This study revealed that patients receiving inpatient care and treatment in internal medicine and surgical wards had below-average perceptions of their illness and moderate levels of satisfaction with nursing care. Based on these findings, it is recommended that educational programs be implemented to improve patients' illness perceptions, along with initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of nursing care.

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that can affect students in educational settings. Teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy play a vital role in ensuring student safety and educational continuity.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between teachers' health literacy, health anxiety, and their knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among primary, middle, and high school teachers in Ankara, Türkiye. A total of 205 teachers were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, Epilepsy Knowledge and Attitude Inventories, Short Health Anxiety Inventory, and Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Student's t-test, and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 46.16±8.33 years and an average of 21.79±8.46 years of teaching experience; 75.6% were female. The mean scores on the epilepsy attitude and knowledge inventories were 41.32±5.32 and 8.26±2.95, respectively. Teachers with personal experiences, such as witnessing a seizure or having a family member with epilepsy, scored higher on epilepsy knowledge. Knowledge of epilepsy was negatively associated with the "negative consequences" subdimension of health anxiety and overall health literacy. Positive correlations were found between epilepsy attitudes and health literacy, while attitudes were negatively correlated with health anxiety.

Conclusion: Training programs should be implemented to improve teachers' knowledge of epilepsy and their first aid skills, especially for those without prior experience. These programs should address practical aspects of epilepsy, including symptoms, seizure types, and appropriate interventions. Additionally, they should offer stress management strategies to enhance teachers' confidence and preparedness.

Background: The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has become increasingly common as a treatment to extend lifespan and improve the quality of life (QOL) for patients awaiting heart transplantation (HT) or those ineligible for HT. However, patients with an LVAD often experience various challenges.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the QOL of patients following LVAD implantation and HT, and to identify the problems experienced by LVAD patients.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 66 patients (LVAD = 21; HT = 45) having had undergone surgery in the adult cardiovascular surgery clinic of a university hospital and later visited the cardiology outpatient clinic for a follow-up. Data were collected using a “Determination Form for Sociodemographic Characteristics and Problems Associated with LVAD and HT” and the “Short Form-36 (SF-36) Quality of Life Scale”. Data analysis included t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression analysis.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.3 ± 15.7 years. The majority of patients in both groups were male and single. The survival time of patients who underwent HT was longer than that of patients who received a LVAD implantation. Among heart transplant patients, issues such as depression, anger, personality and attitude changes, and anxiety were identified. Patients with LVAD implants primarily experienced depression, fear, and anxiety about the future. Complications such as infection, thrombosis, and bleeding were more common in LVAD patients, while heart transplant patients experienced complications including tremors, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, hypertension, and infections. Most patients in both groups reported being unemployed and facing economic difficulties.

Conclusion: Although the clinical QOL improves following LVAD implantation, better outcomes are generally achieved after HT. Social, psychological, and sexual challenges significantly impact patients' overall wellbeing. It is believed that preparing patients for the postoperative period may help identify potential problems early and support their adaptation to the recovery process.

Background: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) during pregnancy is an important yet often overlooked issue that requires attention. Screening pregnant women who exhibit an obsession with healthy eating is crucial for identifying risk factors and ensuring a qualified nursing process. However, there is currently no valid and reliable ON scale specifically designed for pregnant women.

Aim: This study aimed to develop a measurement tool to assess the obsession with healthy eating during pregnancy and to evaluate its psychometric properties.

Methods: A scale development and cross-sectional validation study was conducted with 539 pregnant women at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a university hospital in Türkiye. Preliminary scale items were generated through a comprehensive literature review. A total of 31 preliminary items underwent item-total correlation analyses. Factor analyses and reliability assessments were then performed.

Results: Factor analysis revealed a 12-item scale with a four-factor structure: concern for the baby’s health, healthy orthorexia, orthorexia nervosa, and restricted eating motivation. The scale demonstrated acceptable construct validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency (α=0.83), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.918).

Conclusion: The results suggest that the scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing symptoms of an obsession with healthy eating during pregnancy, in both research and clinical practice settings. The scale is potentially valuable, as it facilitates the identification of such obsessions and supports improvements in the quality of perinatal care.

Background: Equality has become an increasingly prominent issue across various sectors of society, with gender inequality emerging as a key topic of discussion in nursing education. A comprehensive evaluation is essential to advancing gender parity in this field.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the validity of the Turkish version of the Gender Equality Scale in Nursing Education (GES-NE).

Methods: This methodological, descriptive, and correlational study was conducted between February 10 and April 30 with 408 senior nursing students aged 18 to 36. Data were collected via an online questionnaire, which included a Socio-Demographic Data Collection Form and the GES-NE scale. Prior to implementation, the scale underwent language adaptation, expert review, and a pilot study. The primary sample was subsequently assessed using item-total score analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and both confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses.

Results: The scale consisted of four subdimensions and 23 items, accounting for 50% of the total variance. Both confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses showed that all factor loadings were above 0.30. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all fit indices exceeded the acceptable threshold of 0.80, with a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) value of 0.080. The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.93, with each subdimension exceeding 0.60.

Conclusion: The Turkish version of the GES-NE scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring gender equality in nursing education among Turkish students.

Background: Wearable technology is important for disease management for people diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
Aim: The aim of the review is to determine the impact of wearable technologies on disease management in patients diagnosed osteoarthritis.
Methods: The included databases were searched by the researchers between March 4 and April 4, 2024. Randomized and quasi-experimental studies published in Turkish and English between 2000 and 2024, with full text available, using wearable technology products in individuals aged 18 years and over diagnosed with osteoarthritis were evaluated. In addition, 472 studies were reviewed and 5 articles were accepted for inclusion. Cochrane Risk of Bias was applied to evaluate the risk of bias in these studies.
Results: Wearable technology was found to manage physiologic symptoms and increase physical activity. The optimal duration and technique of wearable technology interventions for disease management in individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis are unclear.
Conclusion: Wearable technology interventions have improved disease control and increased physical activity. Therefore, these products can be recommended for use in health care plans to both control disease and increase physical activity.

While sufficient infrastructure, materials, and resources are necessary for the provision of sustainable healthcare, the key factor in delivering these services is people. The most important resource for meeting human needs in healthcare is the workforce. To enhance the productivity of nurses, who represent the largest segment of the hospital healthcare workforce, it is essential to improve their work environment. The inadequacy of the nursing work environment is a global issue and poses a significant challenge to the delivery of quality healthcare services. The fact that quality care and positive patient outcomes are largely dependent on effective nursing highlights the importance of improving nurses’ work environments. Particularly during the pandemic, the need for a positive work environment in nursing has become a timely and critical issue for healthcare quality, safety, and institutional success. This review offers recommendations for nurse leaders and institutions to support the development of a positive work environment.

This case report discusses a 16-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department following a sui-cide attempt involving an overdose of lamotrigine and sertraline tablets, resulting in symptoms consistent with sero-tonin syndrome. The patient’s presentation highlights the complexities of managing neuropsychiatric conditions asso-ciated with suicide attempts in adolescents, particularly given the rarity of serotonin syndrome in this age group. Upon admission, the patient exhibited acute serotonin syndrome symptoms including tachycardia, sweating, delirium, and neuromuscular disturbances, which led to the diagnosis of serotonin syndrome. Early intervention involved close moni-toring of vital signs, administration of oxygen and fluid therapy, and treatment with the serotonin antagonist cyprohep-tadine alongside benzodiazepines. This comprehensive approach, supported by multidisciplinary collaboration, enabled the patient to be safely stabilized. In conclusion, this case emphasizes the importance of early recognition and prompt treatment of serotonin syndrome in adolescents, as well as the vital role of a multidisciplinary team in managing such cases. It also offers valuable insight into the emergency management of suicide attempts. Furthermore, the application of Jones' Life Components Model in nursing care within the emergency department proved instrumental in enhancing patient outcomes through improved collaboration and a patient-centered approach.