This study aimed to explore the direct and indirect effects of secondary traumatic stress (STS) on nurses' perceived work ability and the effect of these two variables on job satisfaction, organisational turnover intention and intention to leave the nursing profession.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2023.
Data were collected by sending an online survey to a convenience sample of nurses. Instruments for data collection included a 37-item questionnaire divided into three sections: (i) socio-demographics, job satisfaction, organisational turnover intention, and intention to leave the profession; (ii) perceived work ability assessed through the Work Ability Index (WAI); (iii) STS measured with the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale.
Two hundred seventy-one nurses completed the questionnaire. STS negatively and statistically impacted on WAI, and it was a direct determinant of intention to leave the nursing profession. WAI showed a direct, positive and significant impact on job satisfaction and it was a significant partial mediator in the relationship between STS and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction mediated between WAI, the intention to leave the nursing profession, and the organisational turnover intention.
STS negatively impacted nurses' work ability, influencing their job satisfaction through the mediation of WAI, whereas job satisfaction independently affected nurses' organisational turnover intention. Moreover, STS was a positive and direct determinant of the intention to leave the nursing profession.
Nurses, as helping professionals, are exposed to extreme stressful events resulting from the traumatic experiences of patients. STS in nurses can lead to emotional exhaustion, turnover intention, job dissatisfaction and reduced work ability. The findings from this study offer insights that can help shape organisational health policies aimed at reducing STS, preserving nurses' work ability, enhancing job satisfaction and mitigating turnover intentions within and outside the nursing profession.
This study followed the STROBE checklist guidelines for cross-sectional studies.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
As healthcare systems confront rising demands and workforce shortages, advanced practice nursing (APN) has emerged globally as a vital strategy to improve care delivery and address systemic gaps, particularly in primary care facilities in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines.
Qualitative case study.
This study was conducted in a rural setting in the Philippines and draws on a preceding mixed-methods case study that explored task shifting and advanced nursing practice in primary care facilities. Using purposeful sampling, 41 nurses, physicians, academics, policymakers, and recipients of care participated in interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed in ATLAS.ti, and quantitative data were descriptively analyzed in JASP. Findings were integrated into the APN framework tailored to primary care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Although the Philippines lacks a formal APN policy, nurses informally fulfill many advanced practice roles aligned with Hamric's model, particularly in direct patient care, leadership, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. Key enabling competencies include health promotion, systems thinking, and policy implementation—environmental barriers such as a lack of regulatory frameworks, educational pathways, and financing limit APN institutionalization.
This study proposes a contextualized advanced practice nursing (APN) model, which is relevant for LMICs, particularly in primary care facilities facing workforce shortages and rising NCD burdens. To institutionalize APN roles, key reforms should include investments in education, certification, financing, and regulation. Settings implementing initiatives to attain universal health coverage can serve as entry points for recognizing APN functions through competency-based systems.
The study proposes a contextualized APN framework for low-resource settings, showing that formalizing expanded nursing roles through education and certification can enhance access to quality care and advance UHC in underserved areas.
To extract and interpret quantitative data exploring the effectiveness of family health conversations (FHCs) on family functioning, perceived support, health-related quality of life, caregiver burden and family health in families living with critical or chronic health conditions.
Addressing the health of families affected by critical or chronic illnesses requires focused attention. The effective integration of FHCs is hampered by a scarcity of rigorous quantitative studies that provide solid evidence on best practices and outcomes.
A systematic review following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.
The review is reported according to the PRISMA 2020 checklist. Appropriate studies were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane Databases. Results of the search were imported into the Covidence web-based program. Included were studies with a quantitative research design, delivered to families with critical or chronic health conditions, describing FHCs based on the Calgary Family Assessment Model and/or the Calgary Family Intervention Model, and/or the Illness Beliefs Model, using reliable and validated instruments, published between 2008 and 2023, and written in English.
In total, 24 papers met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen papers used a quasi-experimental design, eight of which included a control group. Two papers used a mixed methods design, and six papers were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A statistically significant effect of FHCs on family functioning was reported in two RCTs and three quasi-experimental papers. We also found that a statistically significant effect of FHCs was reported on perceived support in 9 of 15 papers, quality of life in 4 of 11 papers and caregiver burden in 1 of 3 papers.
The interventions reviewed revealed variability and partial results concerning the effectiveness of FHCs on family functioning. More rigorous research about short-term, intermediate- and long-term effectiveness is needed before conclusions can be drawn.
The study is reported according to the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) (File S1).
No patient or public contribution. Data were gathered from previously published studies.