Purpose: This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the college life experiences of nursing students who are North Korean defectors. Methods: A qualitative research design employing thematic analysis was utilized. The data were collected in November 2024 through in-depth, one-on-one interviews with the nine participants. Results: Six themes and 19 sub-themes were identified. The six themes were (1) recognition of the value of nursing through personal experiences; (2) the ongoing journey of academic challenges and adaptation; (3) the will to rise above challenges in life; (4) ambivalent emotions between belonging and isolation; (5) a spirit of giving rather than receiving; and (6) gratitude for irreplaceable freedom. Conclusion This study revealed the perceptions of and academic challenges faced by nursing students who are North Korean defectors. Despite their hardships, they expressed gratitude for their freedom and maintained hopes for a brighter future. These findings are expected to serve as a foundation for developing targeted strategies to provide the necessary support for this population in the future.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of blood transfusion education using a virtual reality simulation on newly graduated nurses’ performance confidence, learning presence, and learning satisfaction. Methods: This nonequivalent control group quasi-experimental study selected 46 newly graduated nurses who had begun working at a general hospital. The control group (n=23) was taught with the existing education method using lectures and videos, while for the experimental group (n=23) blood transfusion education using virtual reality simulation was added to the lectures and videos. Pre-intervention, we surveyed the participants’ general characteristics and confidence in performing blood transfusion nursing, and post-intervention, we surveyed their performance confidence, learning presence, and learning satisfaction. The data were analyzed using the Mann– Whitney U-test and an independent t-test with the IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0.1 program. Results: There were statistically significant differences in performance confidence (z=-3.62, p<.001), cognitive presence (z=-4.20, p<.001), emotional presence (z=-5.51, p<.001), and learning satisfaction (z=-2.66, p=.008) between the experimental and control groups. The difference in the performance confidence scores of the experimental and control groups pre- and post-intervention was significant (t=-2.95, p=.005). The effect size (Cohen’s d) was 0.88. Conclusion The study demonstrated that blood transfusion education using a virtual reality simulation effectively improved new nurses’ performance confidence, learning presence, and learning satisfaction. It also raised the need for a follow-up study to develop virtual reality simulation education on various topics and to evaluate their effectiveness.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between nurses’ job stress, self-leadership, and the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Additionally, this research sought to identify factors that may affect the quality of nursing care provided by nurses. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in July 2023, targeting nurses from four general hospitals that provide comprehensive nursing services in Cheongju, Chungcheongnam-do. One hundred fifty-three participants working as nurses were recruited. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression with IBM SPSS 27.0 software. Results: Job stress and quality of nursing service were found to have negative correlations, while self-leadership and quality of nursing service were found to have positive correlations. The research variables that showed a significant effect on nursing service quality were self-leadership (β=.48, p<.001) and job stress (β=-.26, p=.002), with an explanatory power of 33.0%. Conclusion Self-leadership and job stress significantly influence the quality of nursing services in integrated nursing and care service wards. Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement educational programs for nurses that foster self-leadership, alleviate job-related burdens, and create diverse interventions and professional environments aimed at reducing job stress.

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and examine the effects of a fall prevention educational program using virtual reality for nurses in integrated nursing care units to enhance their knowledge of fall prevention, attitude toward fall prevention, self-efficacy for preventing falls, fall prevention behavior, learning satisfaction, and simulation design evaluations. Methods: This study was developed based on the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) model. The educational contents and methods were determined based on a needs analysis conducted through a literature review, surveys on educational needs, and interviews, and content validity was verified by a group of experts. The participants were 40 nurses. The experimental group (n=20) received the virtual reality program, while the control group (n=20) received an on-the-job training video. Data were collected from March 3 to April 14, 2023, and analyzed using the IBM SPSS/WIN 27.0 program with a chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, generalized estimating equations, and a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group post-intervention in knowledge of fall prevention (x2=6.06, p=.048), self-efficacy for preventing falls (x2=22.89, p<.001), fall prevention behavior (F=3.29, p=.043), and learning satisfaction (Z=-3.03, p=.004). Conclusion The fall prevention educational program using virtual reality for nurses enhanced nursing expertise through improved knowledge of fall prevention, self-efficacy for preventing falls, and fall prevention behavior and is expected to be utilized as basic data for patient safety nursing education in integrated nursing care unit environments.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a no-contact health promotion behavior program for nursing students as representatives of young adults and to evaluate its effects and applicability. Methods: We employed a one-group pretest/posttest design to develop a no-contact health promotion behavior program for young adults and to assess its impacts on post-pandemic health promotion behavior, health self-efficacy, depression, and stress among nursing students. Using an online ad, we recruited young adults aged 19 to 29 living in South Korea who were attending nursing school; those who provided informed consent to participate in the study were enrolled. Results: The no-contact health promotion behavior program was effective at improving health promotion behavior (Z=-2.90, p=.004) and health self-efficacy (Z=-2.24, p=.025) and at alleviating depression (Z=-2.13, p=.033). Conclusion This study confirmed the potential of a no-contact program to advance health management among young adults. It also substantiated the program’s effects on fostering experiences and promoting personal health among nursing students, who are prospective healthcare professionals.

Purpose: The career ladder system is a pivotal strategy for securing excellent nurses. The aim of this study is to understand hospital nurses’ experiences of participating in the career ladder system and to explore the essence of this system. Methods: In February 22 to March 3, 2022, nurses employed at a general hospital in South Korea were selected for this study using snowball and purposive sampling. Data were collected from interviews with three focus groups, the compositions of which are as follows: group 1, 6 participants; group 2, 5 participants; and group 3, 6 participants. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently analyzed using qualitative research methods. Results: The following six categories were derived under the overall theme of “the arduous journey to discovering a nurse’s true name”: (1) rites of passage to becoming the ideal nurse; (2) unexpected challenges in the promotion preparation process; (3) biased criteria for evaluating nursing competencies; (4) unclear changes in roles and perceptions after promotion; (5) self-discovered pride and fulfillment as a nurse; and (6) the unspoken struggles of evaluators. Conclusion The findings suggest that the career ladder system fosters nurses’ professional growth and self-actualization. However, for effective implementation, nurses’ deep understanding and systematic management of the career ladder system are essential. This study offers valuable insights and benchmarks for healthcare institutions aiming to adopt the system.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the factors influencing suicidal ideation among middle and high school students in South Korea. Methods: Data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey conducted in 2022 (n=51,850) were analyzed using a logistic regression to calculate the odds ratios for suicidal ideation risk factors. Results: Among middle school students, smoking, drinking, and other delinquent behaviors had higher odds ratios compared to those of high school students. For high school students, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and other mental health issues showed greater odds ratios than in middle school students. The findings highlight developmental differences in suicidal ideation risk profiles between middle and high school students. Targeted prevention and intervention strategies tailored to each age group are recommended. Conclusion Despite the narrow age range, this study revealed distinct patterns of suicidal ideation risk factors among adolescents in their early and late teens. Schools and policymakers should consider these differences when designing suicide prevention programs.

Purpose: Forming a patient safety culture is the first step in addressing patient safety issues. This study therefore examines the patient safety culture among healthcare professionals in South Korea. It also identifies the factors influencing patient safety culture and related activities. Methods: Among the survey studies conducted in South Korea, we reviewed those that measured patient safety culture using the Korean version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture 1.0. We identified the level of patient safety culture, the relationship between patient safety culture and patient safety activities, and the factors affecting patient safety culture. Results: A total of 640 studies were identified through searches of seven domestic and international databases, with 58 included in the analysis. Studies targeting nurses accounted for 96.6%. The general characteristics of patient safety culture included length of service, age, working hours, department of work, hospital size, conflict occurrence, unreported incidents, and subjective safety management evaluations. A statistically significant correlation between patient safety culture and patient safety activities was confirmed in 84.5% of studies. Patient safety culture was the most frequently reported factor influencing patient safety activities. Conclusion Strategies to enhance patient safety culture can promote patient safety activities in South Korean healthcare institutions. Considering organizational and organizational members characteristics when devising these strategies can enhance their effectiveness.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the handoff communication of operating room (OR) nurses by defining and organizing the concept behind it. Methods: For this study, we analyzed five articles found through a literature search using Walker and Avant’s conceptual analysis. Results: An analysis of OR nurses’ handoff communication shows that its antecedents include individual competencies, performance experience, improving interpersonal relationships, securing the OR environment, and the existence of relevant protocols. Additionally, effective handoff communication possesses attributes such as conciseness and accuracy of verbal communication, the ability to convey information concisely and accurately, OR resource availability and risk factors, timeliness of communication, and structured handoff communication protocols related to surgeries. These factors improve patient safety and result in the consistent communication of patient information, improved teamwork, and increased work efficiency. Conclusion This study can enhance the understanding of handoff communication among perioperative nurses and be used to help develop a systematic protocol. Additionally, it can serve as a foundation for constructing a theory of handoff communication and for formulating guidelines specific to the OR.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the college life experiences of nursing students who are North Korean defectors. Methods: A qualitative research design employing thematic analysis was utilized. The data were collected in November 2024 through in-depth, one-on-one interviews with the nine participants. Results: Six themes and 19 sub-themes were identified. The six themes were (1) recognition of the value of nursing through personal experiences; (2) the ongoing journey of academic challenges and adaptation; (3) the will to rise above challenges in life; (4) ambivalent emotions between belonging and isolation; (5) a spirit of giving rather than receiving; and (6) gratitude for irreplaceable freedom. Conclusion This study revealed the perceptions of and academic challenges faced by nursing students who are North Korean defectors. Despite their hardships, they expressed gratitude for their freedom and maintained hopes for a brighter future. These findings are expected to serve as a foundation for developing targeted strategies to provide the necessary support for this population in the future.