The aim of this integrative review was to explore registered nurses' understandings of organisational culture and cultures of care in aged care.
Integrative literature review.
A literature search was conducted of Medline (OVID), CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Scopus, Proquest Nursing and Allied Health, and Informit databases in June 2024. In October 2024, a search for grey literature was conducted focusing on Google Scholar, the Analysis and Policy Observatory (Australia), Australian Government websites, European Union Institutions and Bodies, and usa.gov. The inclusion criteria were Australian and international literature published in English between 2004 and 2024. The inclusion criteria were amended to focus on literature published from 2014 to 2024.
Seventeen research studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Four primary themes were identified: competing hierarchies of power; the multifaceted role of nurses in long-term care settings; standing still is not an option; and implications for culture change strategies in practice.
Registered nurses in aged care are pivotal to evolving clinical and administrative practice and creating organisational cultures that affirm the rights of older people, including providing a supportive workplace for those who care for them, in an environment focussed on developing and sustaining quality care. Viewing the complex relationships at different organisational levels through the prism of Foucault's ideas on disciplinary power generates new insights into the role of registered nurses in aged care settings. This review also underscores that research on organisational culture in aged care is at a formative stage. There is potential for future research that fosters a robust evidence base to support the development of organisational cultures that nurture a person-centred environment ultimately leading to improved care and staff experience.
Registered nurses in aged care settings are advocating for a transformative shift in organisational cultures that prioritises inclusivity, compassion and person-centred care. Empowering nurses through clinical and administrative leadership roles is crucial for cultivating person-centred organisational cultures in aged care settings. It is essential that policymakers invest in the development of registered nurses who can excel in clinical and operational roles at management and executive levels. Policy changes that promote frameworks that facilitate nursing leadership are essential for establishing and maintaining person-centred workplace cultures.
Prisma extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA—ScR).
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.
To examine community nurses' experiences of caring for people with dark skin tones at high risk of developing a pressure injury.
Qualitative descriptive design.
Focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted among registered nurses working in the community between November 2023 and March 2024. Thematic analysis was used.
The findings reveal the lack of nurse education on diverse skin tones, how community nurses gain knowledge on skin tone diversity in the context of pressure injuries and the topics community nurses believe are crucial to improve the management of pressure injuries in patients with dark skin tones.
The study highlights the gap in nurse education regarding diverse skin tones, revealing how community nurses acquire knowledge related to pressure injuries in patients with dark skin tones.
This research could inform the development of targeted educational programmes and training initiatives, ultimately preventing patient harm and enhancing the quality of care and health outcomes for patients with dark skin tones.
It provides valuable insights into key topics that community nurses consider essential for improving the early recognition and management of pressure injuries in people with darker skin tones.
The research adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines.
A project steering group contributed to the concept of the study and checked the interview questions were relevant and suitable.
To examine the personal experiences and perceptions of people with dark skin tones and their carers, in relation to pressure injury.
Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.
Twenty-two interviews with people with dark skin tone and/or their family carers, who were known to and visited by community nurses for pressure area management or who had been identified as being at high risk for developing a pressure injury were carried out.
Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that skin discolouration towards a darker hue than usual was the commonest symptom identified by participants as a sign of altered skin integrity and potential pressure damage. Four main overarching themes were revealed through comprehensive analysis of the transcripts: (1) indicators of pressure injury; (2) experienced symptoms of pressure damage; (3) trust in healthcare workers; and (4) improving care for populations with dark skin tones.
The findings from this study clearly present how early-stage pressure damage is identified among people with dark skin tones.
These findings have the potential to reduce health inequality by influencing and informing clinical policies and strategies in practice. Findings could also lead to the development of patient-informed educational strategies for nurses and health workers which will enable the early identification of pressure ulcers among people with dark skin tones. Further research is needed to better understand health disparities in relation to preventable patient safety harm.
The findings demonstrate the importance of engaging with and listening to the stories and experiences of people living with pressure damage to help in the early recognition of pressure injuries.
The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines for qualitative research were followed.
A project steering group reviewed information sheets for participants and checked the interview questions were relevant and suitable.