Objective: To evaluate the effects of Capsosiphon fulvescens (C. fulvescens) ethanolic extract on inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW296.7 macrophages. Methods: The protective effects of C. fulvescens ethanolic extract on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages were assessed using biochemical analysis, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. To examine reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, flow cytometry analysis, and immunofluorescence staining were used. Furthermore, the modulatory effect of C. fulvescens ethanolic extract on NF-κB activation was investigated. Results: C. fulvescens ethanolic extract significantly attenuated LPS-induced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and notably reduced the secretion and mRNA levels of LPS-mediated matrix metalloproteinases. In addition, C. fulvescens ethanolic extract decreased ROS production and suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: C. fulvescens ethanolic extract alleviates inflammation as well as oxidative stress by modulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. C. fulvescens can be used as a potential therapeutic agent to suppress inflammation and oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influential factors on retention intention among nurses in small-medium sized hospitals. Methods: This study was conducted with 185 nurses of 6 small-medium sized general hospitals located in B metropolitan city. Data were collected from July 10 to July 19, 2022 using on-line self-report questionnaires. A descriptive analysis and hierarchical multiple regression were used for data analysis utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 25.0. Results: The variables influencing the retention intention of the subjects were perceived value of work (β=.36, p<.001), nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses (β=.22, p=.024), positive psychological capital (β=.15, p=.042), and subjective health status (β=.14, p=.035), and the total explanatory power (R2 ) of these variables was 38.0% (F=12.24, p<.001). Conclusion Based on the results, in order to increase the retention intention for nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals, it is necessary to create an environment and culture as well as educational strategies for fostering a sense of work value and positive psychological capital. In addition, proactive organizational efforts are required to strengthen nurses’ subjective health and nurse managers’ supporting capabilities and leadership in small-medium sized hospitals.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of patients and their families who have received medical services from advanced practice nurses in tertiary general hospitals in Korea. Methods: Data were collected through four focus group interviews with 20 patients and their families who had received medical services from advanced practice nurses for more than six months at four tertiary hospitals from November 29 to December 28, 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The four themes extracted from the experiences of patients and their families were as follows: unfamiliar medical personnel encountered during the treatment process, healthcare professionals who exhibited excellence, companions to light my way through the tunnel of illness, and an advanced practice nurse system that must be activated urgently. Conclusion The study’s findings indicate that patients and their families view the care provided by advanced practice nurses as excellent, reliable, and holistic. Research suggests that advanced practice nurses are valuable healthcare professionals in team-based care. The findings suggest that hospitals should utilize an advanced practice nurse system to improve patient outcomes and ensure the quality of care.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of patients and their families who have received medical services from advanced practice nurses in tertiary general hospitals in Korea. Methods: Data were collected through four focus group interviews with 20 patients and their families who had received medical services from advanced practice nurses for more than six months at four tertiary hospitals from November 29 to December 28, 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The four themes extracted from the experiences of patients and their families were as follows: unfamiliar medical personnel encountered during the treatment process, healthcare professionals who exhibited excellence, companions to light my way through the tunnel of illness, and an advanced practice nurse system that must be activated urgently. Conclusion The study’s findings indicate that patients and their families view the care provided by advanced practice nurses as excellent, reliable, and holistic. Research suggests that advanced practice nurses are valuable healthcare professionals in team-based care. The findings suggest that hospitals should utilize an advanced practice nurse system to improve patient outcomes and ensure the quality of care.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influential factors on retention intention among nurses in small-medium sized hospitals. Methods: This study was conducted with 185 nurses of 6 small-medium sized general hospitals located in B metropolitan city. Data were collected from July 10 to July 19, 2022 using on-line self-report questionnaires. A descriptive analysis and hierarchical multiple regression were used for data analysis utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 25.0. Results: The variables influencing the retention intention of the subjects were perceived value of work (β=.36, p<.001), nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses (β=.22, p=.024), positive psychological capital (β=.15, p=.042), and subjective health status (β=.14, p=.035), and the total explanatory power (R2 ) of these variables was 38.0% (F=12.24, p<.001). Conclusion Based on the results, in order to increase the retention intention for nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals, it is necessary to create an environment and culture as well as educational strategies for fostering a sense of work value and positive psychological capital. In addition, proactive organizational efforts are required to strengthen nurses’ subjective health and nurse managers’ supporting capabilities and leadership in small-medium sized hospitals.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of patients and their families who have received medical services from advanced practice nurses in tertiary general hospitals in Korea. Methods: Data were collected through four focus group interviews with 20 patients and their families who had received medical services from advanced practice nurses for more than six months at four tertiary hospitals from November 29 to December 28, 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The four themes extracted from the experiences of patients and their families were as follows: unfamiliar medical personnel encountered during the treatment process, healthcare professionals who exhibited excellence, companions to light my way through the tunnel of illness, and an advanced practice nurse system that must be activated urgently. Conclusion The study’s findings indicate that patients and their families view the care provided by advanced practice nurses as excellent, reliable, and holistic. Research suggests that advanced practice nurses are valuable healthcare professionals in team-based care. The findings suggest that hospitals should utilize an advanced practice nurse system to improve patient outcomes and ensure the quality of care.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influential factors on retention intention among nurses in small-medium sized hospitals. Methods: This study was conducted with 185 nurses of 6 small-medium sized general hospitals located in B metropolitan city. Data were collected from July 10 to July 19, 2022 using on-line self-report questionnaires. A descriptive analysis and hierarchical multiple regression were used for data analysis utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 25.0. Results: The variables influencing the retention intention of the subjects were perceived value of work (β=.36, p<.001), nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses (β=.22, p=.024), positive psychological capital (β=.15, p=.042), and subjective health status (β=.14, p=.035), and the total explanatory power (R2 ) of these variables was 38.0% (F=12.24, p<.001). Conclusion Based on the results, in order to increase the retention intention for nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals, it is necessary to create an environment and culture as well as educational strategies for fostering a sense of work value and positive psychological capital. In addition, proactive organizational efforts are required to strengthen nurses’ subjective health and nurse managers’ supporting capabilities and leadership in small-medium sized hospitals.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of patients and their families who have received medical services from advanced practice nurses in tertiary general hospitals in Korea. Methods: Data were collected through four focus group interviews with 20 patients and their families who had received medical services from advanced practice nurses for more than six months at four tertiary hospitals from November 29 to December 28, 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The four themes extracted from the experiences of patients and their families were as follows: unfamiliar medical personnel encountered during the treatment process, healthcare professionals who exhibited excellence, companions to light my way through the tunnel of illness, and an advanced practice nurse system that must be activated urgently. Conclusion The study’s findings indicate that patients and their families view the care provided by advanced practice nurses as excellent, reliable, and holistic. Research suggests that advanced practice nurses are valuable healthcare professionals in team-based care. The findings suggest that hospitals should utilize an advanced practice nurse system to improve patient outcomes and ensure the quality of care.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influential factors on retention intention among nurses in small-medium sized hospitals. Methods: This study was conducted with 185 nurses of 6 small-medium sized general hospitals located in B metropolitan city. Data were collected from July 10 to July 19, 2022 using on-line self-report questionnaires. A descriptive analysis and hierarchical multiple regression were used for data analysis utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 25.0. Results: The variables influencing the retention intention of the subjects were perceived value of work (β=.36, p<.001), nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses (β=.22, p=.024), positive psychological capital (β=.15, p=.042), and subjective health status (β=.14, p=.035), and the total explanatory power (R2 ) of these variables was 38.0% (F=12.24, p<.001). Conclusion Based on the results, in order to increase the retention intention for nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals, it is necessary to create an environment and culture as well as educational strategies for fostering a sense of work value and positive psychological capital. In addition, proactive organizational efforts are required to strengthen nurses’ subjective health and nurse managers’ supporting capabilities and leadership in small-medium sized hospitals.

Background: A healthcare system’s collapse due to a pandemic, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can expose healthcare workers (HCWs) to various mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the depression and anxiety of HCWs. Methods: A nationwide questionnaire-based survey was conducted on HCWs who worked in healthcare facilities and public health centers in Korea in December 2020. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to measure depression and anxiety. To investigate factors associated with depression and anxiety, stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 1,425 participating HCWs were included. The mean depression score (PHQ-9) of HCWs before and after COVID-19 increased from 2.37 to 5.39, and the mean anxiety score (GAD-7) increased from 1.41 to 3.41. The proportion of HCWs with moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) increased from 3.8% before COVID-19 to 19.5% after COVID-19, whereas that of HCWs with moderate to severe anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10) increased from 2.0% to 10.1%. In our study, insomnia, chronic fatigue symptoms and physical symptoms after COVID-19, anxiety score (GAD-7) after COVID-19, living alone, and exhaustion were positively correlated with depression. Furthermore, post-traumatic stress symptoms, stress score (Global Assessment of Recent Stress), depression score (PHQ-9) after COVID-19, and exhaustion were positively correlated with anxiety. Conclusion In Korea, during the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs commonly suffered from mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Regularly checking the physical and mental health problems of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial, and social support and strategy are needed to reduce the heavy workload and psychological distress of HCWs.