Study PurposeTo analyze the internal associations between spiritual care perceptions and empathy among baccalaureate nursing students.Design and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 237 baccalaureate nursing students from a medical university located in Southeast China between April and May 2024. Data were collected through an online survey using the Chinese version of the Spiritual Care-Giving Scale and the Chinese Version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Students. A network analysis model was constructed, and the related indices were calculated using R 4.3.1 software.ResultsThe network analysis revealed that spirituality and spiritual care values and attributes for spiritual care (ASC) were the central nodes. Additionally, ASC and compassionate care emerged as the bridge nodes connecting spiritual care perceptions and empathy.ConclusionThese nodes could serve as potential targets for interventions aimed at enhancing spiritual care education for baccalaureate nursing students. This study contributes to holistic nursing education and practice by emphasizing the importance of supporting the integration of reflective practice, holistic curriculum design, and relational competency development to foster nursing students' holistic care abilities.
PurposeTo evaluate a workplace-integrated quality improvement initiative designed to address persistent staff stress and limited access to restorative experiences within the nursing work environment of a Magnet-designated academic medical center.DesignPre-post quality improvement evaluation using independent, anonymous samples.MethodsOver 11 months, brief on-site integrative modalities (e.g., chair massage, meditation, Jin Shin Jyutsu, yoga, and other restorative practices) were offered across shifts to enhance access within workflow. An author-developed electronic survey assessed stress-reduction practices, perceived self-care opportunities, knowledge of stress-reduction techniques, and perceptions of a healing nursing work environment at baseline (n = 166) and follow-up (n = 158). Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney analyses compared groups. Qualitative analysis examined open-ended responses.FindingsParticipation in wellness activities reached 43% at follow-up, with notable increases in chair massage and meditation use. Perception scores for self-care opportunities and healing culture remained stable without statistically significant change. Qualitative feedback described relaxation, restoration, and connection, while staffing and scheduling barriers limited engagement.ConclusionsEmbedding accessible, brief holistic practices within the nursing work environment is feasible and valued. Findings highlight the influence of organizational context on staff engagement and support system-level approaches to workforce well-being aligned with the Quadruple Aim.
PurposeTo describe the patterns of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across four WHOQOL-BREF domains and to identify independent predictive factors-including cognitive health mindfulness-among community-dwelling adults with hypertension in an urbanized area of Thailand.DesignDescriptive cross-sectional study.MethodsThree hundred and thirty adults (≥35 years) with physician-confirmed hypertension were recruited by multi-stage stratified random sampling from 11 sub-district health promoting hospitals. Measures included the WHOQOL-BREF, Stress Scale (ST-5), Intellectual Well-Being Scale, and the 17-item Cognitive and Behavioral Sati Scale (CBSS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression were applied.FindingsOverall HRQoL was moderate in 55.8% of participants (M = 94.53, SD = 11.35). Cognitive health mindfulness was moderate in 64.2% (M = 50.00, SD = 12.34; α = 0.884). Multiple regression identified four independent predictors: intellectual well-being (β = 0.536), stress (β = -0.175), cognitive health mindfulness (β = 0.157), and absence of complications (β = 0.108); R2 = 0.446, F (6, 323) = 43.009, p < .001.ConclusionsCognitive health mindfulness was an independent, though modest, predictor of HRQoL among hypertensive patients, alongside intellectual well-being, stress, and absence of complications. These cross-sectional findings support incorporating mindfulness and intellectual well-being screening, alongside stress management and complication prevention, into holistic primary hypertension nursing assessment, with intervention effectiveness to be established by future longitudinal and experimental research.
PurposeTo examine the role of nursing care as a mediating bridge between biomedical cure and holistic healing within the framework of holistic nursing, and to identify barriers and strategies for integrating these paradigms in nursing practice.DesignA scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.MethodPubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched in May 2025 (updated February 2026). Twenty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using narrative synthesis with inductive thematic analysis in MAXQDA 2020.FindingTwenty-seven studies were included, yielding five interrelated themes: (i) the tension between care and cure; (ii) healing as a multidimensional and transcendent outcome; (iii) nursing care as a potential mediating mechanism between cure and healing; (iv) barriers to integration; and (v) strategies for strengthening nursing's integrative role.ConclusionFindings suggest that nursing care may function as an integrative mechanism through which biomedical cure and holistic healing can be meaningfully connected in practice. However, this potential is significantly constrained by persistent barriers. Educational reform, organizational support, culturally sensitive spiritual care, and thoughtful technology integration are essential strategies for promoting holistic nursing practice. Future research should empirically test integrative models and evaluate their impact on patient and nurse outcomes within holistic nursing frameworks.
BACKGROUND:Childbirth is a multidimensional experience involving physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. Holistic nursing interventions such as acupressure may improve maternal well-being beyond pain relief, yet comparative evidence for SP6 (Sanyinjiao) and LI4 (Hegu) acupressure is limited. PURPOSE:To evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of nurse-administered SP6 and LI4 acupressure on labour pain, maternal coping, and intrapartum maternal comfort among primiparous women. METHODS:In this three-arm pilot randomized controlled trial, 90 primiparous women were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to SP6 acupressure, LI4 acupressure, or routine intrapartum care (30/group). Acupressure was administered at 4, 6, and 8 cm cervical dilatation. Labour pain and coping were assessed repeatedly, and maternal comfort was measured once at 10 cm cervical dilatation. Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS:Significant group, time, and group × time interaction effects were observed for labour pain and coping (all p < .001). Compared with LI4 acupressure and routine care, SP6 acupressure produced greater pain reduction, improved maternal coping, and higher intrapartum maternal comfort (all p < .001). DISCUSSION:Guided by Swanson's Theory of Caring, SP6 acupressure appears to be a feasible holistic nursing intervention that supports person-centred maternity care. Larger multicentre randomized controlled trials are warranted.
