BACKGROUND:Military nursing operates at the intersection of healthcare and defense, requiring nurses to balance professional ethics with military discipline, operational readiness, and organizational hierarchy. PURPOSE:To explore how military nurses in a small defense system construct and sustain professional identities and how organizational structures and military culture shape their autonomy, competence, well-being, and family life. METHODS:A qualitative design using reflexive thematic analysis was employed. Nineteen individual semistructured interviews were conducted with military nurses serving in the armed forces. DISCUSSION:Seven interrelated themes demonstrated that professional identity in military nursing is dynamic, adaptive, and morally grounded, and is continuously negotiated at the intersection of care and command. Organizational hierarchy, autonomy, professional development, emotional resilience, family responsibilities, and institutional recognition shaped participants' professional experiences. CONCLUSION:Empathetic leadership, realistic training, and policies that support work-life balance and equitable recognition are vital for well-being and operational readiness. Stronger organizational support and clearer leadership communication may enhance retention, resilience, and the quality of military healthcare.

This study explores how young adults in Slovenia perceive religion and spirituality and how they relate these dimensions to health, values, and health-related habits. In modern secular societies, religion and spirituality are increasingly seen as influencing health indirectly, mainly through personal values, identity, and coping strategies. However, little is known about how young adults themselves experience this relationship. A qualitative descriptive approach was used, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 participants aged 18-34. Interviews were conducted in late 2025, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis supported by Atlas.ti software. The trustworthiness of the study was ensured through established qualitative research criteria. Five key themes emerged: personal perspectives on religion and spirituality, the influence of family and socio-cultural environment, religion as a source of moral values, perceptions of the relationship between religion and health, and the role of religion in coping with stress and supporting mental well-being. Participants generally viewed religion as a personal and selective aspect of life with limited influence on physical health behaviors. Instead, its importance was mainly related to mental well-being and stress management. The findings indicate that religion and spirituality functioned primarily as psychosocial resources rather than direct determinants of health behaviors among young adults in Slovenia.

AIM:To investigate how female military nurses experience high-reliability, high-stress environments and how these conditions shape their well-being. BACKGROUND:Military nursing involves complex demands that extend beyond clinical care, including dual professional roles, operational unpredictability, and gendered expectations. These pressures can undermine physical, psychological, and social well-being, yet the lived experiences of military nurses, particularly women, remain underexplored. DESIGN:A qualitative descriptive design was used. METHODS:Ten female military nurses were recruited through purposive sampling and interviewed individually in semi-structured online interviews. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through reflexive coding, an audit trail, and adherence to COREQ guidelines. RESULTS:Five overarching categories captured the factors shaping well-being: organisational and structural demands; high-stress operational environments; emotional and psychological burden; coping and resilience; and gendered identity and work-family balance. Participants described constrained autonomy, communication gaps, and role ambiguity within hierarchical structures. Psychological pressures were heightened by moral tensions, responsibility for colleagues, and expectations of emotional control. Coping relied mainly on informal peer support, as formal services were rarely used due to stigma. Gendered norms and family responsibilities further influenced well-being and career decisions. CONCLUSION:Military nurse well-being is shaped less by individual resilience and more by organisational culture, operational demands, and gendered expectations. Addressing these systemic factors is essential for sustaining the military nursing workforce. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING:Strengthening leadership support, communication, psychological safety, and professional autonomy may improve working conditions and support nurses' well-being in demanding operational contexts. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICY:Policies should promote supportive organisational cultures, reduce stigma around help-seeking, and facilitate work-family reconciliation to sustain and retain the military nursing workforce.

BackgroundNurses frequently encounter ethical dilemmas, moral distress, and situations in which they must balance professional duties, personal values, and organizational constraints. Deontological ethics, particularly Kant's ethics of duty, offers a normative framework that emphasizes moral action grounded in duty rather than consequences. However, limited empirical research explores how nurses understand and enact Kantian principles in everyday clinical practice.Research aimTo explore how nurses understand and enact principles of Kant's ethics of duty in clinical decision-making and how this philosophical framework shapes their moral judgement, sense of duty, and professional integrity.Research designA qualitative descriptive research design.Participants and research contextBetween November and December 2025, 17 nurses were recruited from various clinical settings in Slovenia through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured in-person interviews focused on moral decision-making, professional duty, moral autonomy, and institutional constraints. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach was employed to analyze the data.Ethical considerationsThe study was approved by the university ethics committee. Participation was voluntary and anonymous, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.FindingsThe data analysis developed five major thematic categories: perceptions of the demands and responsibilities of nursing work, understanding of duty and professional ethics, ethical decision-making and moral autonomy, the emotional dimension and humanized nurse-patient relationships, and organizational conditions and systemic ethical challenges.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that nurses largely enact Kantian ethics of duty through internalized professional values and commitment to patient dignity. However, organizational and systemic factors significantly limit their capacity for autonomous moral action. Strengthening ethical practice in nursing requires improved working conditions, enhanced professional autonomy, and structured support through ethics education, supervision, and team-based ethical reflection.

Background: Quality healthcare depends on coordinated collaboration among professionals from different disciplines. In nursing teams, interpersonal relationships, mutual trust, communication, and teamwork are essential for ensuring safe and high-quality patient care. Poor communication and unresolved hierarchical dynamics may negatively affect team functioning and patient safety. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore interpersonal relationships among nurses working in nursing teams and to identify key factors influencing collaboration and communication in everyday clinical practice. Research Design: A qualitative descriptive research design was used. Study Sample: A purposive sample of 21 participants employed in nursing care at the secondary level of healthcare was included in the study. Data Collection and/or Analysis: Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. The collected data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four themes were identified: (1) perceptions of interpersonal relationships in nursing teams, (2) communication patterns and challenges in nursing teams, (3) the impact of relationships and communication on the quality and safety of nursing care, and (4) opportunities to improve relationships and communication in nursing teams. Positive interpersonal relationships and open communication contributed to stronger team cohesion and higher quality of care. In contrast, poor communication, hierarchical differences, and interpersonal conflicts increased the risk of errors and negatively affected teamwork and patient safety. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of supportive interpersonal relationships and effective communication within nursing teams. Targeted interventions are needed to strengthen collaboration in clinical practice, including communication skills training for nurses, stronger managerial support, and the implementation of structured communication protocols tailored to nursing care settings.

BACKGROUND:Exercise program and dietary supplements are commonly used in the conservative management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and have both been shown to reduce pain and improve physical function. Combining these approaches may offer additive benefits or introduce specific adherence challenges from the patient perspective. The combination of structured exercise with dietary supplements remains underexplored, especially through qualitative approaches. This study aims to investigate the lived experiences, perceived benefits, challenges, and motivational factors among participants of a targeted exercise program combined with dietary supplementation. METHODS:A qualitative study design with three focus group was used to explore participants overall experiences, motivational factors, and barriers to participation immediately after program. The sample included 16 older adults with KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3, 14 women and 2 men). Two moderators facilitated each focus group using topic guide. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS:Six main themes were identified: (1) recognized effects of exercise, (2) motivators and barriers to exercise, (3) group exercise and its impact on daily life, (4) recognized health care limitations, (5) experiences and practices of dietary supplement use, and (6) perspectives on program continuation and expansion. CONCLUSIONS:Participants' experiences with the combined exercise and dietary supplementation program for KOA highlighted the importance of social support, professional guidance, and self-motivation. Barriers included physical limitations, time constraints, and psychological challenges, while reported benefits included reduced pain, improved mood, and enhanced social engagement. Participants' tendency to perceive exercise and supplementation as separate components indicates that, in practice, combined interventions may function as parallel rather than integrated strategies unless explicitly framed and supported as a unified approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06269549. Registered on 13th February 2024.

Background Food is essential for growth, development, and health, so it is important to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. This is influenced by culture, society, and personal habits, as well as family customs. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of culture on the perception of healthy eating among Slovenian parents and to find out how these cultural factors influence their children’s dietary choices. Material and methods A qualitative study was conducted using a purposive sample of 15 parents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in November and December 2024. The questions were open-ended. Thematic text analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Four main categories were identified: media influence and personal preferences, family dynamics in eating, family role in eating habits, factors influencing healthy eating habits. Parents balanced traditional and contemporary influences, used shared meals to maintain cohesion, negotiated intergenerational practices, and adapted routines to limited time and food costs. Conclusions This study provides insights into the dietary perspective of Slovenian parents. Parents combine domestic, seasonal, and culturally established practices with ideas about healthy eating, while family dynamics, time constraints, and economic factors, including food costs, play a key role in their decisions.

Introduction: Labour pain can be managed using pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. As non-pharmacological methods, such as massage, do not cause side effects, pregnant women are increasingly interested in giving birth without pharmacological interventions. The aim of this integrative literature review was to investigate the effectiveness of therapeutic massage on relieving labour pain during the active phase of labour.Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted. The PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched in March 2023 using the following combination of Boolean operators and keywords: labour, labor, childbirth, pain, effects, massage, active, active stage, active phase. The results were critically evaluated using the MMAT tool.Results: Eight randomised controlled studies were included in the review. Six studies identified a reduction in labour pain throughout the active phase of labour, and one study found a reduction in labour pain limited to specific phases of labour. Only one study found no effect of massage on labour pain.Discussion and conclusion: Direct comparison of research results is limited by the diversity of massage techniques employed. Given the positive effects of massage on the course of labour, it would be beneficial to include it in clinical practice. Further research is needed to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the effects of massage on labour.

Introduction: Organ transplantation is often the only effective and successful treatment for end-stage organ failure, but it still faces many challenges today, one of which is the shortage of donors after brain death. The aim of the study was to determine the attitudes and beliefs of healthcare professionals about people's willingness to donate organs after brain death. Methods: A qualitative research method was used. Six focus groups were conducted in February and March 2024 with a purposive quota sample of 24 healthcare professionals. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Six themes were identified: (1) healthcare professionals' attitudes towards organ donation after brain death, (2) healthcare professionals' knowledge and education about organ donation after brain death, (3) the population's beliefs and awareness about organ donation (perspective of healthcare professionals), (4) the decisions of individuals regarding organ donation after brain death, (5) the confrontation of relatives with the decision to donate organs (perspective of healthcare professionals) and (6) the systemic regulation of the field of organ donation. Conclusion: The willingness of people to donate organs and the number of entries in the donor register could be increased by better informing the public and raising awareness about the benefits of donation and by removing obstacles that influence individual decisions. The education of healthcare professionals is also crucial, as they are the most important link in the transplantation process and serve as a reliable source of information for others.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Mapear programas de formación mediados por tecnología para equipos de salud escolar que aborden necesidades especiales de salud en el entorno escolar e identificar sus características. Método: La revisión siguió la metodología del JBI. Se buscaron literatura publicada y gris en ocho bases de datos. Se incluyeron estudios publicados en portugués, inglés o español desde el año 2000 para identificar los programas de formación emergentes. Resultados: De los 1.106 estudios identificados, 29 fueron revisados en su totalidad y ocho fueron incluidos en el análisis final. Todos los estudios fueron realizados en los Estados Unidos de América. Los temas del programa incluyeron condiciones de salud crónicas como diabetes, asma, procedimientos, así como situaciones de emergencia, todos dirigidos a enfermeros escolares y basados en un marco conceptual o pedagógico. Los programas incluyeron módulos temáticos de diversa duración y ofrecieron formación en línea e híbrida a través de diversos recursos educativos digitales. Conclusiones: Los programas se centraron en las condiciones de salud crónicas y evaluaron el conocimiento, el desarrollo de habilidades, la autoeficacia y la confianza de los profesionales; pocos estudios proporcionaron una exploración detallada de los modelos pedagógicos subyacentes y no utilizaron una evaluación formativa.

The increasing digitalisation of medical education requires teachers to have a broad range of competences that go beyond basic technical knowledge. This pilot cross-sectional study assessed the self-perceived digital competence of medical faculty members and examined differences by professional role, experience and gender. Of 298 eligible staff, 48 participated (response rate 16.1%), including 19 women (39.6%) and 29 men (60.4%). The data was collected via an online survey using the validated Digital Competence Scale for University Teachers, which comprises four subscales: digital literacy, digital skills, digital interaction and technology integration. The overall median score indicated a generally high level of self-perceived digital competence, with 95% bootstrap confidence intervals confirming this pattern. Assistant professors achieved higher scores in all subscales than associate and full professors. Self-perceived digital competence was positively correlated with participation in structured training, higher interest and frequency of use of digital tools, while age and teaching experience were negatively correlated. The findings suggest unequal levels of self-perceived digital competence across the academic status and highlight the positive association of self-perceived digital competence with participation in targeted, practical and inclusive training programmes.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate health science students' perceptions of poverty and health inequality to gain insight into the perspectives of future healthcare workers. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods: Data was collected via an online survey that was developed based on a thorough literature review. Participants were students (n = 106) from undergraduate nursing and applied kinesiology programmes. Statistical analyses were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0. using bivariate statistical analysis. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: 28.3% of students cited lack of opportunity as the main cause of poverty. There were significant differences in perception between nursing and kinesiology students (p < 0.05), particularly in relation to personal responsibility for poverty. On average, students scored 58/85, indicating a moderate yet significant awareness of social determinants of health. Conclusion: The findings illustrate how different disciplines influence perceptions of poverty and emphasise the inclusion of empathy in health education. While views on the roots of poverty vary, a common nuanced understanding points to a move towards empathic, socially conscious healthcare education. The study highlights the importance of an education system that emphasises social determinants of health and empowers students to engage with the complexities of poverty and health inequality.

BACKGROUND:Continuous professional development is crucial for maintaining the competence of health professionals. However, traditional nursing education often leaves graduates with gaps between acquired competencies and those required in clinical practice. This discrepancy affects patient care quality, as well as nurses' professional growth and job satisfaction. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of nursing alumni regarding their professional competencies post-graduation and the potential of micro-credentials to address perceived gaps. METHODS:This interpretative descriptive study examined the perceptions of 24 bachelor's degree nursing graduates through five focus group interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify competency gaps and assess the potential role of micro-credentials. RESULTS:Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: (1) Initial perceived competencies, (2) Perceived competency gaps, (3) Role of micro-credentials, and (4) Challenges in professional development and identity formation. Results confirmed that newly graduated nurses often feel underprepared for the realities of clinical practice, experiencing a significant transition shock. They identified specific gaps in practical skills, critical thinking, and emotional preparedness, which were not fully addressed during their education. CONCLUSIONS:Results show newly graduated nurses often feel underprepared transitioning to clinical practice. Micro-credentials offer targeted educational tools that enhance specific competencies, support career advancement, and promote lifelong learning. Integrating micro-credentials into lifelong learning could improve readiness for clinical practice, support professional growth, and enhance patient care quality.

A cross-sectional survey collecting data from health care students from three European nations was performed to explore the factors influencing financial literacy in a context where students attend a public university. Financial literacy is lacking, which suggests the need for education to help the next generation of health care professionals deal with increased challenges in the financial health care sector and promote financial education among patients, families, and communities.

Background: Despite trends towards greater professionalisation of the nursing profession and an improved public image in certain countries, studies also show that large proportions of the public still do not fully appreciate nurses' competencies. Mapping differences in the societal and professional recognition of nurses allows for benchmarking among countries. Aim: To investigate the level of societal recognition of the nursing profession in nine European countries, and the level of professional recognition perceived by European nurses themselves; to compare levels of recognition between countries; and to identify influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Through an online survey, the study surveyed both the general public and nurses from various healthcare settings across nine countries between December 2022 and June 2023. The instrument used was a combination of self-developed questions on societal and professional recognition, the Work Motivation Scale and an adapted version of the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale. Data were analysed using SPSS v.29.0, with socioeconomic prestige scores for the public and work environment/work motivation scores for nurses calculated accordingly. Results: A total of 1618 adult citizens and 2335 nurses participated. The public predominantly characterised nurses with attributes such as friendliness, warmth, empathy and compassion. The mean socioeconomic prestige score assigned to nurses was 7.2/10 (SD 1.9), with Portugal having the highest score (M 7.5/10, SD 2.0) and Norway the lowest (M 5.8/10, SD 1.4; p < 0.001). Professional recognition experienced by nurses was generally low (54% indicated rather low, 17% very low). Slovenia, the Netherlands and Belgium had slightly higher mean scores (all M 1.4/3) compared to other countries (p < 0.001). High professional recognition could be predicted for 33% by work environment score (OR = 1.21; 95% CI [1.19-1.24]), work motivation score (OR = 1.02; 95%CI[1.01-1.02]), expertise outside the hospital (OR = 1.57; 95% CI [1.25-1.97]) and work experience (OR = 1.01; 95% CI [1.00-1.02]) corrected for country. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve the professional and public image of the nursing profession while addressing disparities in professional recognition between countries. Longitudinal studies are recommended to monitor changes in public perception and professional recognition among nurses.