International Nurses Day 2024: The economic power of care

Aim To integrate research literature regarding careers, career development and factors influencing the career development of doctorally prepared nurses. Design An integrative review. Data Sources Medline, CINAHL and Embase were searched in June 2022 without time restrictions. Methods Peer‐reviewed empirical publications written in English with different types of study designs were included. Two researchers independently applied eligibility criteria, selected studies and conducted quality appraisals using Joanna Briggs checklists. Data were extracted and analysed using a convergent integrated approach with thematic analysis. Themes were established within three categories based on the research questions: career, career development and factors influencing career development. Results Twenty‐two studies were included. Nine themes were identified. One theme regarding careers describes that doctorally prepared nurses need to prioritize work within different positions. The two themes focusing on career development described the need to determine career goals after the doctorate and further develop competencies. Six themes described factors influencing career development: ‘Intrinsic motivation to improve health care and nursing education’, ‘Available support sources’, ‘Professional development programmes’, ‘Work–life balance’, ‘Organizational infrastructures for career advancement’ and ‘Competition and hostile treatment among colleagues’. Conclusion Limited knowledge of the careers and career development of doctorally prepared nurses was found. Doctorally prepared nurses need to balance work with various part‐time positions. Careers and career development could be supported by the development of structures for career advancement as well as supportive working environments. Impact Doctorally prepared nurses with strong careers are important to health care and nursing as they generate and implement new knowledge into clinical practice and thereby support the improvement of (nursing) care and patient outcomes. This study provides considerations towards strengthening the careers of doctorally prepared nurses. Reporting Method PRISMA. Patient or Public Contribution No Patient or Public Contribution.

Aims To identify the personal and professional impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on clinical nurses with regard to personal and workplace safety, personal and professional relationships and perceptions of their team, organization and community, and to understand lessons learned to inform future responses to pandemics or global emergencies. Design Qualitative, descriptive free‐text surveys, informed by appreciative inquiry. Methods Nurses working in adult COVID‐ and non‐COVID cohort medical‐surgical and intensive care units, outpatient cancer and general surgery centres were invited to participate. Data were collected between April and October 2021 and analysed using summative content analysis. Results In total, 77 participants completed free‐text surveys. Five themes were identified: (1) Constraints on nursing: barriers in communication and diminished patient safety and quality of care; (2) Navigating uncertainty: the emotional toll of the pandemic; (3) Team solidarity, renewed appreciation and reaffirming purpose in nursing work; (4) Enhanced trust versus feeling expendable; and (5) Increased isolation and polarization within communities. Nurses described a perceived negative impact on a number of their relationships, including with patients, employer and community. They described a huge emotional toll that included feelings of isolation and polarization. While some nurses described feeling supported by their team and employer, others described feeling expendable. Conclusion Nurses’ responses provided insights into negative emotional experiences during the pandemic due to heightened uncertainty and fear, and also the importance of support received from peers, colleagues and their employer. Nurses experienced feelings of isolation and polarization within their communities. The varied responses reflect the importance of societal solidarity when faced with global emergencies, and the need for nurses to feel valued by their patients and employer. Impact Effective responses to public health emergencies require individuals and communities to work together to achieve collective goals. Efforts to retain nurses are critical during global emergencies. Patient or Public Contribution No patient and public involvement.