Objective: This study developed a draft scale for nurses who care for critically ill patients to assess nursing practices with ethical sensitivity. Methods: The scale items were created based on data from semi-structured interviews with experienced nurses who care for such patients. Academic researchers verified the content validity of the scale, and nurses who worked in emergency and critical care medicine verified its face value. Results: The scale consisted of 42 items grouped into three categories: (1) practicing with acute awareness of the complex feelings of critically ill and vulnerable patients and their family members (14 items), (2) practicing with the motivation to provide the best care to these patients and their family members (17 items), and (3) practicing with perpetual self-awareness and reflection as a nurse caring for the aforementioned patients and their family members (11 items). Conclusions: The findings suggest that situation-specific items that reflect clinical practice in caring for critically ill patients can adequately assess nursing practice with ethical sensitivity; however, further statistical validation is required to determine the value of our findings.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-intensity mindfulness program in supporting nurses’ mental health. Methods: The program consisted of eight weekly sessions (approximately 30 minutes per session) Participants were also encouraged to engage in daily mindfulness practice for at least 10 minutes as homework. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed at five time points (before the program, in the fifth week, at the program’s end, one month after completion, and three months after completion) to assess the program’s effectiveness. The outcomes included measures of rumination, cognitive biases, mood, and self-esteem. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted using Bayesian estimation. Results: Participants demonstrated significant improvements in rumination, cognitive biases (e.g., fortune-telling error, “should” thinking, jumping to conclusions, and all-or-nothing thinking), negative self-esteem, and fatigue. Conclusions: A low-intensity mindfulness program focusing on rumination was effective in supporting nurses’ mental health.

Objective: Based on previous studies, this study identified situations that cause dilemmas among hospital nurses providing nursing care for older adults. Methods: Ichushi Web was used to search for the keywords “nurses,” “older adults,” “dilemmas,” and “conflicts”; thirteen original articles were selected for the analysis. These articles were analyzed using qualitative inductive analysis based on content similarity. Results: Forty-three codes were identified as situations that caused dilemmas among the nurses. These were integrated into 17 subcategories, 6 categories, and 2 core categories, namely, “dilemmas in care situations of patients or families” and “dilemmas between the medical environment and nurses.” Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the importance of conducting assessments based on the characteristics of older patients, providing adequate explanations to older patients and their families, and offering acceptable care and involvement. This study also underscores the need to examine ways to share and address dilemmas that arise in nursing practice among healthcare professionals.

Objective: To evaluate studies that measure morality in the nursing profession, assess the current status of scale development and explore the existing levels of morality and related factors. Methods: A review following PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews was conducted, with searches performed using Ichushi-Web (the Japan medical Abstracts Society), PubMed, and CINAHL. The eligibility criteria were: (1) participants from the nursing profession and (2) quantitative studies that focused on measuring morality. Results: Thirty-nine articles were reviewed, of which 97% used a cross-sectional design. Seven key measures of morality were identified: 1) moral sensitivity, 2) moral distress, 3) moral development, 4) moral competence, 5) moral courage, 6) moral resilience, and 7) moral integrity. Most previous studies have focused on moral sensitivity and distress. The majority of the participants were hospital nurses, and the common factor between moral sensitivity and moral distress was the ethical climate. Conclusions: The findings indicate a need for further exploration of experiences and ongoing education that foster moral development among nurses. Additionally, more research focusing on nursing professionals working in community settings is required.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the function of a sliding sheet with handles (hereafter referred to as the “trunk-moving sheet”) and investigate its effect in minimizing physical strain. Methods: A functional evaluation of the trunk-moving sheet was conducted by comparing its dynamic and static friction coefficients with those of our sample materials. Physical exertion during upward transfer and repositioning was assessed using the Borg CR10 scale (category ratio scale). Results: The dynamic and static friction coefficients of the trunk-moving sheet’s bottom against the bedsheet were significantly lower (p‹.05-.01), whereas those of the trunk-moving sheet’s top were significantly higher (p‹.01). Using the trunk-moving sheet significantly reduced the physical exertion experienced by caregivers during upward transfer and repositioning (p‹.01). However, not using the sheet resulted in no significant reduction in physical exertion (p‹.05). The physical exertion perceived by care recipients during upward transfer was significantly lower with the trunk-moving sheet than that without it (p‹.01). Conclusion: The trunk-moving sheet has the potential to minimize for both caregivers and care recipients.