Objective: This study aimed to develop a Retention Management Assessment Scale for Community-Based Welfare Facilities for Older Adults (RMAS-C) to attract and retain staff and create an attractive workplace atmosphere within these facilities. This study also aimed to establish the validity and reliability of the scale. Methods: Of 2,369 community-based welfare facilities catering to older adults nationwide, 510 were selected based on regional variations. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was administered to 2,550 participants, comprising two nurses and three caregivers from each facility. Results: A total of 598 survey responses were collected (response rate=23.5%), of which 563 were considered valid (response rate=94.1%). The analysis identified 21 items distributed across 4 key factors: “respectful support for staff,” “enhancement of collaboration with the community,” “facility advertising and public relations strategy,” and “swift and flexible operations.” The confirmatory factor analysis results indicated the following: GFI≧AGFI, CFI=.905, and RMSEA=.069. The criterion-related validity was significantly correlated with several factors. Conclusions: The validity and reliability of the assessment highlight the utility of the RMS-C.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the thoughts and feelings of stroke patients in the acute phase of their illness, examine their perspective of “giving up” and “not giving up,” and obtain suggestions for nursing support in this phase. Methods: We interviewed ten patients in the acute phase of their illness and analyzed the obtained data qualitatively and descriptively. Results: Eleven categories were derived: “strange feeling of dysfunction,” “concern for future life,” “ability to manage,” “loss of motivation to recover,” “letting go of trying hard,” “support from surroundings,” ”source of strength to bounce back from feelings of hitting rock bottom,” “strength to bounce back from feelings of hitting rock bottom,” “thoughts leading to social rehabilitation,” “wishes and hopes,” and “regaining the ability to try.” Furthermore, patients “gave up” to avoid stress about the current situation they could not control and had “not giving up” thoughts of finding and increasing hope based on past experiences and other factors. Conclusions: Stroke patients experience thoughts of “giving up” and “not giving up” during the acute phase of their illness. By supporting those with thoughts of “giving up” and providing appropriate meaning, we can motivate patients to “not give up” and do their best.

Objective: This study investigated the extent of and relationship between reality shock and grit among new nurses, aiming to develop basic data to mitigate new nurses’ experiences of reality shock. Methods: It targeted 511 new nurses working at national university hospitals. It used a questionnaire consisting of the “Reality Shock Scale for New Nursing Graduates” and the “Japanese version of the Grit Scale.” Associations were examined using a multiple regression analysis. Results: The study collected completed questionnaires from 30.9% of new nurses. The mean reality shock scale score was 182.82, while the mean Grit Scale score was 3.13. Grit negatively affected reality shock and was significantly related to the structural factors of “practical nursing skill” and “work satisfaction and enjoyment.” Conclusions: These findings indicate that grit mitigates reality shock among new nurses. If reality shock can be mitigated in new nurses by encouraging grit, this approach could prevent staff turnover and be implemented in parallel with current measures.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between faculty members’ perceptions of new graduates becoming visiting nurses immediately after completing basic nursing education and the provision of employment support. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among nursing university faculty members. Results: Responses were received from 115 participants (valid response rate: 19.8%). Faculty members provide employment support by considering individual preferences, the quality and nature of nursing at the place of employment, and the post-employment educational system. Approximately 70% of faculty members had been consulted about becoming visiting nurses, but half of them did not find any such employment. Around 10% of faculty members recommended gaining hospital experience before becoming a visiting nurse, citing the need for higher practical nursing skills and inadequate educational systems in home-visit nursing stations. Conclusions: Faculty members who acknowledged the necessity for higher practical skills in home-visit nursing compared to hospital settings tended to recommend that students first gain experience in hospitals prior to becoming visiting nurses.

Objective: This study aims to clarify the trends and issues in nursing research on “hope” among cancer patients by systematizing the results reported in the international literature using “cancer patients” and “hope” as keywords. Methods: Electronic databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, the Web version of the Japana Centra Revuo Medicina, and CiNii, were searched for the keywords “cancer patients” and “hope.” In total, 34 foreign and 17 domestic articles were identified. Results: The majority of the foreign articles were quantitative studies that ascertained the characteristics of patients and caregivers’ hopes; contrastingly, most of the domestic articles were qualitative studies. Five categories and 12 subcategories were generated based on the results: “Cancer patients’ hopes and their attitude toward life,” “The process by which cancer patients maintain hope,” “Cancer patients’ and caregivers’ views on care,” “Factors influencing cancer patients’ hopes and the characteristics of those factors,” and “Care to sustain hope.” Conclusions: Creating a care program focusing on the hopes of cancer patients is a topic for future research; additionally, the relationship between hope and self-care agency needs to be considered.

Objective: To clarify the experiences and characteristics of nurses caring for patients with sustained consciousness disorders in hospitals. Method: A literature review was conducted using the Ichushi Web, PubMed, CiNii Research, and CINAHL electronic databases. The keywords employed were “Consciousness Disorders,” “nurse/nursing,” and “experience/narration.” Consequently, a total of twenty-one studies were selected for the analysis. Result: The relevant literature was analyzed and the results were classified into three chief categories: “interactions with patients,” “interactions with families of patients,” and “interactions with other healthcare professionals related to patients.” Conclusion: A characteristic of the experiences of the nurses was that despite facing difficulties, they sought clues in their inner selves and were stimulated by others to change amid their emotional vacillation.

Objective: This study aims to clarify the evaluation perspectives of ophthalmology patients on accurately administering eye drops based on the current status of eye drop guidance provided by nurses. Methods: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey was administered to nurses in ophthalmology wards at 438 facilities nationwide (one nurse at each facility). Results: Eye drop guidance was often provided in the wards, and significantly more facilities explained posture and methods when administering eye drops during guidance. However, there was no significant difference in the guidance content between adults and older people. Most patients were seated on the edge of the bed when administering eye drops, and the lower eyelid traction method, or the first method, was used. Most eye drop guidance is individualized, and many facilities match the guidance to postoperative eye drop dates. Moreover, nurses felt that “aging,” “living alone,” and the “presence or absence of cognitive functions” were difficult when guiding about eye drops. Conclusions: Eye-drop guidance is a necessary form of support, and nurses can evaluate the status of patients’ physical self-care. Furthermore, “aging,” “living alone,” and the “presence or absence of cognitive functions” are factors to consider when evaluating the status of patients’ self-care when guiding them about eye drops.