Background: Patients with cancer may consider using herbal products to alleviate symptoms and support their treatment; however, careful consideration is required, as these products may interact with conventional therapies and cause adverse effects. In this context, nurses play a critical role in assessing the use of herbal therapies, educating patients, and promoting safe, evidence-based practices.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the practices and perceptions of patients undergoing cancer treatment regarding phytotherapy.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 149 patients with cancer receiving treatment at the medical oncology clinics of a university hospital and a training and research hospital in Türkiye between January 2022 and October 2023. Data were collected using three forms developed by the researchers. Descriptive statistics were presented as numbers and percentages, and the chi-square test was used to compare phytotherapy users and non-users.
Results: The patients had a mean age of 55.64 years, and 53.7% were male. A total of 44.3% had a university-level education or higher. Most patients (81.2%) were receiving chemotherapy, and 12.1% used phytotherapy. Only 17.4% were evaluated by an oncology professional regarding phytotherapy. Among users, 60% used phytotherapy to boost immunity, and 64.7% consulted a specialist, most commonly an oncologist. Phytotherapy use was not significantly associated with sociodemographic or medical characteristics.
Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should provide patients with evidence-based information about phytotherapy, and unsupervised use of herbal products should be prevented. Oncology nurses should assess patients’ use of phytotherapy products and provide guidance as needed.

Background: Pain is frequently experienced by children in intensive care units. Healthcare professionals often have difficulty assessing pain in children who are unable to communicate.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Non-Communicating Children’s Pain Checklist–Revised (NCCPC-R).
Methods: This methodological study was conducted in a pediatric intensive care unit between May 8, 2023 and April 8, 2024. A total of 50 children aged 3–18 years participated in the study. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Data Form, the NCCPC-R, and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) Scale. The NCCPC-R was translated and back-translated to establish linguistic validity, and the content validity index (CVI) was calculated. Criterion validity was evaluated by examining correlations between NCCPC-R and FLACC scores. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and test-retest analyses conducted by two independent observers at two-week intervals.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 9.08±5.31 years, and 62.0% were male. The primary medical diagnosis was neurological disorders in 64% of the children. The NCCPC-R demonstrated a CVI of 0.958. Significant positive correlations were found between NCCPC-R and FLACC scores (p<0.001). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.970. The ICC values for interrater agreement and consistency were 0.988 and 0.994, respectively (p<0.001). Test-retest reliability showed strong positive correlations for Observer 1 (r=0.811) and Observer 2 (r=0.804) (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The Turkish version of the NCCPC-R is a valid and reliable tool for assessing pain in children who are unable to communicate.

Background: Pressure injuries (PIs) are a major patient safety concern associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Accurate diagnosis and classification of PIs are crucial for effective prevention and management. However, both nurses and nursing students frequently demonstrate insufficient knowledge and make errors in this area.

Aim: This study aimed to assess nursing students’ competence in the classification of PI categories and staging by examining their level of knowledge and the factors influencing it.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between December 2022 and July 2023 and included 300 undergraduate nursing students. Data were collected online using the Student Information Form and the 20-item multiple-choice Pressure Injury Test (PI-TEST). Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were performed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off score.

Results: Among the participants, 88.3% were female, 61.3% were nursing students at foundation universities, 55.3% were fourth-year students, and 71.0% had received undergraduate education on PIs. The mean PI-TEST score was 56.36±19.05 out of 100. The highest correct response rates were observed for Stage 1, Stage 4, and Mucosal Membrane PIs, whereas Stage 3 and Deep Tissue PIs had the highest rates of incorrect responses. Participants who had received education on PIs and who had provided care to patients with PIs and at risk for PIs during clinical practice had significantly higher knowledge scores.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that nursing students’ knowledge regarding PI is insufficient. The results highlight the need to incorporate both theoretical and practical content on pressure injury-related topics into undergraduate nursing curricula.

Background: Nursing students often experience future anxiety as they prepare for professional life. Understanding the factors that influence this anxiety is essential for developing effective support strategies.
Aim: This study aimed to examine future anxiety levels among nursing students and identify associated individual and contextual factors.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with 211 nursing students at a foundation university in Istanbul. Data were collected through a Personal Information Form and the Future Anxiety Scale for University Students. Data were collected face-to-face. The Pearson correlation test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and independent samples t-test were used for data analysis.

Results: The participants had a mean age of 21.29 years and a mean grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Participants reported moderate levels of future anxiety (mean: 2.85; standard deviation: 0.55), with greater concern about uncertainty than hopelessness. Significant factors associated with elevated anxiety included year of study, living arrangements, career plans, readiness to practice, prior clinical experiences, and perceptions of societal views on nursing. Third-year students and those intending to work as nurses after graduation reported higher levels of fear about the future. Students who had negative clinical experiences or were dissatisfied with the public image of nursing also exhibited higher anxiety levels. No significant associations were found with age, gender, or grade point average.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for supportive educational strategies and psychosocial interventions to reduce future anxiety among nursing students.

Background: Undergraduate nursing programs commonly include pain management education. However, studies indicate that nursing curricula often do not provide sufficient content and effective instructional methods to adequately prepare students for managing patients' pain. Simulation-based education offers experiential learning opportunities and is recognized as an effective strategy for enhancing learning outcomes.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of simulation-based education and traditional instruction on nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to postoperative pain management.

Methods: A quasi-experimental, comparative research design was employed. Students were assigned to groups based on the last digit of their student identification number. A total of 103 students participated in the study. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain, and the Pain Management Self-Efficacy Scale. The educational program lasted four weeks and covered key topics in postoperative pain management. In addition to traditional instruction, the experimental group received high-fidelity simulation training. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results: The mean age of participants in both groups was 21 years. In response to the item “Participants' Opinions on the Effectiveness Level of Nurses in Pain Management,” 68.6% of the experimental group and 71.2% of the control group rated it as “Effective.” The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher scores in knowledge and attitudes toward postoperative pain management compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of self-efficacy. Notably, both groups showed an increase in self-efficacy levels over time.

Conclusion: Simulation-based training enhances knowledge and attitudes related to postoperative pain management; however, it does not produce short-term improvements in self-efficacy. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of simulation-based education on clinical competence.

Background: Psychiatric nurses experience high levels of job stress, which negatively affect therapeutic relationships. Aro-matherapy has shown promise in reducing stress; however, its impact on therapeutic engagement remains underexplored.

Aim: This experimental study aimed to examine the effects of aromatherapy inhalation on the therapeutic relationship and job stress levels of psychiatric nurses.

Methods: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with a control group. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=33) or the control group (n=33) from among psychiatric nurses working in a psychiatric clinic in Ankara between January 1 and March 31, 2025. The experimental group received lavender essential oil inhalation three times per week on alternate days. Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, General Job Stress Scale, and the Therapeutic Relationship Evaluation Scale–Nursing Form. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, Independent Samples t-test, Paired Samples t-test, and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test.

Results: The groups were homogeneous; however, a statistically significant difference was found in gender distribution (p=0.027). Following lavender essential oil inhalation, the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in post-intervention therapeutic relationship scores compared to the control group (p=0.042), particularly in the “participation in care” subdimension (p=0.001). No significant difference was observed between groups in terms of job stress levels after the lavender essential oil inhalation (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Aromatherapy inhalation was found to enhance the therapeutic relationship. It may support psychiatric nurses in strengthening therapeutic relationships by promoting empathy and engagement.

Background: The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has highlighted the importance of nursing students’ attitudes toward these technologies. In this context, technology and internet addiction may act as influential factors shaping these attitudes.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the levels of technology addiction, internet addiction, and attitudes toward AI among nursing students, and to examine the relationships between these variables.

Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 608 nursing students enrolled at the Faculty of Nursing of Gazi university. Data were collected face-to-face. The Spearman correlation test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for data analysis.

Results: The mean age of the students was 20.72±2.11 years; 84.0% were female, 28.9% were first-year students, and 37.5% had a moderate grade point average (GPA) (2.50–3.00). AI was used by 84.4% of the students, primarily for homework (56.5%). A strong positive correlation was found between internet addiction and technology addiction, whereas negative attitudes toward AI were weakly and negatively correlated with these addictions. Male students had higher technology addiction scores, and AI users demonstrated significantly more positive attitudes toward AI.

Conclusion: The majority of nursing students reported using AI, primarily for homework purposes. They demonstrated low levels of internet addiction and moderate levels of technology addiction. These findings suggest that the conscious and ethical use of AI should be promoted in nursing education, along with increased awareness initiatives addressing technology addiction.

Background: As the number of people living with dementia (PwD) rises, community care is increasingly prioritized to support aging in place. However, dementia care at home presents complex challenges, including unmet medical needs, family caregiver burdens, and ethical concerns.

Aim: This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences and perceptions of community care for PwD, focusing on service delivery challenges, care needs, and ethical issues encountered in practice.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design, following the Interpretive Phenomenological Approach, was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 healthcare professionals providing community services, including doctors, nurses, and social workers. Data were analyzed thematically.

Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) Perceptions, differences, and gaps in service provision — professionals described varied understandings of dementia and highlighted inconsistencies in service coordination. Community care was often dependent on family initiative and limited by systemic barriers. (2) Dementia Patients’ Needs and Challenges: Participants emphasized the physical and psychosocial needs of PwD, including hygiene, nutrition, and wound care. Many families lacked the knowledge or resources to provide adequate care. Financial strain, caregiver fatigue, and cases of neglect or abuse were common. (3) Ethical Issues in Community Care: Challenges included misuse of care pensions, unsafe living environments, and conflicts concerning autonomy and consent.

Conclusion: Community care for PwD is shaped by complex clinical, social, and ethical dynamics. Strengthening caregiver education, improving supervision, and establishing formal ethical support systems are essential.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly become integrated into education and healthcare, as it has in many areas of modern life. Contemporary learners are considered 21st-century learners, and AI is beginning to play a significant role in nursing education.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between nursing students’ 21st-century learner skills and their attitudes toward artificial intelligence.

Methods: This correlational study included 354 nursing students. Data were collected using an Information Form, the 21st-Century Learner Skills Utilization Scale, and the General Attitude Toward Artificial Intelligence Scale. Data collection was conducted face-to-face by the researchers. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and Spearman's correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: Of the participants, 83.9% were female, and the mean age was 20.54±2.67 years. The mean score for the positive attitude subscale of the General Attitude Toward Artificial Intelligence Scale was 3.64±0.56, while the mean score for the negative attitude subscale was 3.01±0.69. Students’ use of 21st-century learner skills was above the moderate level (3.68±0.44). A positive correlation was found between students’ positive attitudes toward artificial intelligence and their use of 21st-century learner skills.

Conclusion: Integrating artificial intelligence into nursing education programs, in alignment with the structure of the discipline, may support the development of various 21st-century skills by leveraging the opportunities provided by AI.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are serious complications that diminish quality of life and increase healthcare costs. Effective management requires holistic, evidence-based approaches. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring (THC) and motivational interviewing (MI) address both the physical and psychological dimensions of care.

Aim: This study examines the effects of motivational interviewing, guided by Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, on treatment adherence, self-efficacy, and patient satisfaction among individuals with diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 76 participants with Wagner grade 1 DFUs. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving an eight-week motivational interviewing intervention based on Watson’s THC or a control group receiving standard care. Data was collected at weeks 1, 8, and 12 using validated instruments: the Diabetic Foot Care Self-Efficacy Scale, the Medication Adherence Reporting Scale, and the Watson Caritas Patient Score. Data was analyzed using independent-samples t-tests, repeated-measures analyses, and chi-square tests.

Results: This study is expected to provide preliminary evidence regarding the effectiveness of motivational interviewing guided by Watson’s Theory of Human Caring in individuals with diabetic foot ulcers. It is anticipated that participants in the intervention group may demonstrate improvements in treatment adherence, diabetic foot care self-efficacy, and patient satisfaction compared with those receiving standard care. Potential improvements in secondary clinical outcomes, including wound size and HbA1c levels, are also expected to be explored.

Conclusion: The study is expected to provide evidence supporting the integration of motivational interviewing and Watson’s THC in DFU management. The findings may inform future research and clinical practice, supporting the delivery of more holistic care and improved outcomes for patients with DFUs.

Background: Nurses play a critical role in pain assessment and management; therefore, it is essential that nursing students possess adequate knowledge and appropriate attitudes toward this aspect of care. Previous research has consistently shown that nursing students have deficiencies in both knowledge and attitudes related to the effective management of postoperative pain.

Aim: This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 306 second-, third-, and fourth-year nursing students who were 18 years of age or older, enrolled in a nursing faculty, and consented to participate. Data were collected between May 30, 2022 and June 3, 2022 using a Student Information Form and the Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP), administered through structured face-to-face interviews. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Of the participants, 69.9% were female and 97.7% were single. The mean NKASRP score was 15.98±3.32, with a correct response rate of 38%, indicating a poor level of knowledge and attitudes. Notably, 92.2% of students correctly answered the question, “Who best expresses the severity of the patient’s pain?”, and 90.5% correctly identified that “After the recommended initial doses of opioid analgesics, additional doses should be adjusted according to the patient’s individual response.” A statistically significant difference was found in NKASRP scores based on whether students had received education on pain management (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that nursing students have insufficient knowledge regarding pain management. It is recommended that pharmacology and pain management content in nursing curricula be reviewed and strengthened to address these deficiencies.

Background: When nurses fail to understand the cultural characteristics of the individuals in their care, communication breakdowns, prejudice, and intercultural conflicts may occur.

Aim: This study assesses the intercultural sensitivity levels of undergraduate nursing students.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 1,106 nursing students enrolled at two universities in Ankara between December 15, 2023 and May 31, 2024. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys. The data collection tools included a questionnaire developed based on the relevant literature and the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS). Descriptive statistics, including percentages, frequencies, medians, and minimum and maximum values, were used to analyze the data.

Results: Among the participants, 86.1% were female and 80.2% were between 18 and 21 years of age. The median ISS score was 87.0 (min: 28, max: 120). Statistically significant differences were found between groups based on sociodemographic variables, including year of study, gender, proficiency in a language other than Turkish, interaction with individuals from different cultures, having friends from diverse cultural backgrounds, caring for patients from various cultures in clinical practice, receiving relevant education, and learning about cultural characteristics during treatment and care.

Conclusion: Nursing education should incorporate strategies that promote the development of intercultural sensitivity. Such efforts will better prepare nurses to provide high-quality care to patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Background: Older adults diagnosed with cancer often experience multiple concurrent symptoms, making effective symptom management crucial. Nurses play a key role in identifying and managing these symptoms in palliative care settings.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of common symptoms among older adults (defined as individuals aged ≥65 years) with cancer receiving palliative care.
Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis included studies retrieved from the Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases between 2014 and 2024, using the keywords palliative, cancer, symptom, older, elderly, and aged. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists. Data were pooled and analyzed using meta-analysis techniques.
Results: Eighteen studies (nine cohort and nine cross-sectional) with a total sample size of 48,503 participants were included. The pooled prevalence estimates were as follows: pain, 48.6%; fatigue, 61.0%; dyspnea, 48.6%; lack of appetite, 56.7%; nausea, 27.0%; sleep problems, 52.9%; depression, 32.4%; drowsiness, 56.6%; poor well-being, 42.3%; and anxiety, 22.1%. This study identified the prevalence of major symptoms among older adults with cancer receiving palliative care. Further high-quality studies are needed to explore underlying mechanisms and mediators affecting symptom management.
Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of developing nursing-led symptom assessment and management strategies to improve the quality of palliative care for older adults.

With the rapid advancement of digitalization, adolescents’ social interactions have increasingly shifted to online environments. Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by intensified peer influence, identity formation, and high levels of social media engagement, all of which may increase vulnerability to involvement in cyberbullying. In this context, cyberbullying is widely recognized as a significant public health concern. Research indicates that low levels of empathy constitute one of the key psychological factors contributing to cyberbullying behaviors. Accordingly, interventions aimed at enhancing empathy have emerged as prominent preventive strategies. Storytelling is an effective method for fostering empathy, as it enables individuals to experience the events from diverse perspectives and assume different roles. In recent years, school-based interventions incorporating storytelling have been shown to reduce cyberbullying behaviors and enhance empathy levels. In this regard, school health nurses—beyond their role in individual counseling—are well positioned to implement story-based interventions through group education programs and the development of school policies. Accordingly, this review summarizes the literature and provides recommendations tailored to adolescents and school settings, with particular emphasis on the role of school nurses in coordinating storytelling-based prevention strategies.