Hyeon-Young Kim

Purpose: This study examined whether need satisfaction and work-life balance mediated the relationship between the quality of the healthy work environment and retention intention among nurses in tertiary hospitals. Methods: Data were collected from 187 nurses with at least one year of clinical experience in tertiary hospitals between March 27 and April 19, 2025. Participants completed a structured self-report questionnaire distributed through online communities. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0, and mediation effects were tested with PROCESS Macro Model 4. Results: The quality of the healthy work environment significantly predicted need satisfaction (β=.43, p<.001), work-life balance (β=.43, p<.001), and retention intention(β=.16, p=.037). Need satisfaction (β=.19, p=.009) and work-life balance (β=.19, p=.008) were also significant predictors of retention intention. The direct effect of work environment quality on retention intention was significant(effect=0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04~1.14), and significant indirect effects were observed through need satisfaction (effect=0.29, 95% CI: 0.05~0.81) and work-life balance (effect=0.30, 95% CI: 0.03~0.60), supporting partial mediation. Conclusion: A higher-quality healthy work environment may be associated with stronger retention intention among nurses, partly through greater need satisfaction and work-life balance. Interventions that strengthen these mediating factors may support nurse retention and sustainable workforce management in tertiary hospitals.

This study aimed to validate the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) and haptic technology–based simulation program for operating room nursing education among undergraduate nursing students. Providing students with hands-on experience in the operating room is challenging due to safety, ethical, and logistical constraints. Therefore, this study explored immersive simulation as a viable alternative. We used a nonequivalent control group pretest–posttest design, with 78 nursing students divided into an experimental and a control group. The intervention group engaged in a simulation program that involved VR headsets and haptic gloves, allowing hands-on practice of perioperative nursing tasks in a virtual setting, while the control group received online-based perioperative nursing education reflecting the standard instructional approach used at the participating institution. Outcome measures included knowledge acquisition, confidence in performing nursing tasks, learning presence, learning flow, and learning satisfaction. Results showed that the simulation program significantly improved participants’ confidence, presence, flow, and satisfaction, compared to the control group; however, no significant difference was observed in knowledge acquisition. These findings suggest that integrating haptic-enhanced VR simulation education into nursing curricula can effectively foster immersive, experiential learning and improve key educational outcomes. Further studies are recommended to optimize feedback mechanisms and assess knowledge improvement through alternative evaluation tools.

Background/Objectives: In perioperative nursing practice, nursing students can engage in direct, in-person clinical experiences in perioperative environments; however, they face limitations due to infection and contamination risks. This study aimed to develop and evaluate educational content for perioperative clinical practice for nursing students using virtual reality (VR) and haptic technology. Methods: The program, based on the Unity Engine, was created through programming and followed the system development lifecycle (SDLC) phases of analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation. This program allows nursing students to engage in perioperative practice using VR and haptic technology, overcoming previous environmental limitations and enhancing practical and immersive experiences through multi-sensory stimuli. Results: Expert evaluations indicated that the developed content was deemed suitable for educational use. Additionally, a usability assessment with 29 nursing students revealed high levels of presence, usability, and satisfaction among the participants. Conclusions: This program can serve as a foundation for future research on VR-based perioperative nursing education.

Several studies have examined the effect of virtual reality (VR) education. However, they are mostly systematic reviews or meta-analyses focusing on doctors and residents; they fail to consider VR medical education for a broader range of learners. We evaluated the effectiveness of VR education for health professionals and identified the essential features of education. Randomized controlled trials published from January 2000 to April 2020 were identified from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library (n = 299). The randomized studies’ bias risk was evaluated using Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool. Meta- and subgroup-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4.1. The overall effect was measured using Hedges’ g and determined using Z-statistics (p < 0.05). Heterogeneity was assessed using X² and I² statistics. Among the identified records, 25 studies were selected through systematic review, and 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. We identified a significant improvement in the VR group’s skill and satisfaction levels, and that less immersive VR was more efficacious for knowledge outcomes than fully immersive VR. Maximizing the advantages of VR will increase learning opportunities and complement the limited clinical experience, thus improving medical services. A systematic and efficient VR medical education program will greatly enhance learners’ core competencies.

이 글은 오늘날 사회재생산의 위기를 이해하기 위해 페미니즘 문헌에서 사회재생산에 관한 이론적 논의를 검토한다. 우선, 가사노동 논쟁을 거쳐 분석적 프레임워크로서 사회재생산 개념의 발전과정을 고찰한다. 이렇게 도출된 사회재생산 관점을 통해 신자유주의적 지구화와 변화하는 젠더질서 속에서 이중화되는 사회재생산의 양상을 검토한다. 이는 탈젠더화되고 탈인종화된 특성을 표방하는 신자유주의적 경제가 사실상 젠더, 인종, 계층과 시민권의 교차 속에서 위계적으로 구성되는 사회재생산 노동에 깊숙이 의존하고 있음을 드러낸다. 오늘날 재생산노동의 위계적 조직화가 여성내부의 격차를 체계적인 방식으로 결합하며 이루어진다는 사실은 방법론적 일국주의를 넘어선 교차적인 사회재생산 분석의 발전을 요구한다. 마지막으로 이 같은 이론적 통찰이 생산과 재생산의 경계를 문제삼는 페미니즘 정치에 제기하는 시사점을 간략히 살펴본다.

This study focused on the effects of aroma foot massage on sleep quality and constipation relief among older adult residents in nursing facilities. This research used a non-equivalent control group and a quasi-experimental design. The participants included 40 older adults aged ≥70 years residing in two nursing facilities in Seoul City. The aroma foot massage nursing intervention consisted of a preparation stage using jojoba carrier (aroma recipe) oil and lavender oil, an aroma foot massage stage, and a finishing stage. Sleep quality scores after the experiment increased by 3.72 at post-test (M = 38.44) compared to pre-test (M = 34.72), which confirmed that sleep quality improved significantly following intervention in the experimental group as compared to the control group (F = 14.45, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the frequency of defecation in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (Z = −3.93, p < 0.001). Similarly, the constipation assessment scores decreased at post-test significantly by 2.39 in the experimental group as compared to the control group (F = 17.87, p < 0.001). These results confirm that aroma foot massage is an effective nursing intervention for alleviating constipation symptoms and improving sleep quality. Therefore, we recommend that aroma foot massage be used as a complementary intervention in combination with drug-based treatment to improve sleep quality and relieve the constipation symptoms experienced by older adults living in nursing facilities.

Purpose: This study examined the practical training experiences of nursing students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and investigated their experience during their practical training.Methods: Data were collected between April 29 and June 24, 2021. The 29 participants chosen from three universities in the study were either fourth-year students or graduated in 2021 after attending nursing college, and they had taken at least one semester of practical training including alternative practice training after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inductive content analysis was employed for data analysis.Results: Based on the analysis of data from focus group interviews, the following four categories and 11 theme clusters were drawn from 235 key statements: (1) situational change in the clinical practice environment; (2) perceived difficulties in developing core competencies as a nursing student; (3) unstandardized alternative practical training procedures; and (4) demand for systematic improvement in practical training while maintaining social distancing.Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the need for effective and constructive practical clinical training in order for nursing students to achieve productive learning from practical training while maintaining social distancing, Alternative training modalities should continue to be developed and reviewed.

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the practice of COVID-19 prevention behaviors among college students as future medical workers. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in September 2021. A total of 526 health college students were included in this study. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed to examine the effect on the practice of COVID-19 prevention behavior. As a result of the analysis, experiences of education on infectious diseases had significant positive effects on the practice of prevention behavior (β = 0.22, p < 0.001). Additionally, a higher COVID-19 health belief had a significant positive effect on the practice of prevention behavior (β = 0.15, p = 0.004). Increased smoking and drinking among lifestyle changes after COVID-19 had significant negative effects on the practice of prevention behavior compared with decreased physical activity (β = −0.12, p = 0.007). Based on these findings, the study discussed the importance of education on the prevention of infectious diseases among health college students, promotion of health beliefs related to infectious diseases, and formation of healthy lifestyle habits in daily life.

PURPOSE: This study examined the significance, nature, and structure of the virtual experience of perioperative patients as undergone by nursing students during their practical training through VR and blended learning. METHODS: Data were collected through a focus group interview (FGI) of 21 nursing student participants from November 2019 to December 2019 and analyzed through Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. RESULTS: Seven theme clusters were organized that described nursing students’ experiences. They are “placed in a passive position,” “facing the limits of communication,” “thinking of developing and improving competency as a nurse,” “recognizing the importance of interacting with their patients”, “learning vividly through experience”, “engaging in a new type of participatory learning”, and “designing nursing knowledge.” CONCLUSION: Patient-centered care can be achieved in the nursing school curriculum through “patient experiences.” Additionally, the feedback from research participants who have “become keenly aware of the need for patient experiences” shows that empathizing with the “patient experience” is an essential quality to acquire by prospective medical professionals before they are introduced to the nursing field. We suggest future studies that expand on nursing students’ patient experience in various teaching methods and curriculums.

Aims and Objectives: To understand hospice palliative care nurses’ (HPCNs) perceptions towards spiritual care and their competence to provide spiritual care.Background: Previous research has shown that many nurses lack a clear understanding of the concept of spirituality and feel inadequately prepared to assess patients’ spiritual needs. Studies on competence in spiritual care are mostly descriptive, and the evidence for improving it is limited.Design: A mixed‐methods research design was used.Methods: Quantitative data were collected from 282 nurses in forty hospice palliative care (HPC) institutions in South Korea and analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t‐test, one‐way ANOVA with Bonferroni test and multiple regression. Qualitative data collection involved two stages: first, an open‐ended question posed to 282 nurses, and second, focus group interviews conducted with six HPC experts. Both qualitative data sets were analysed separately using content analysis. This study followed the GRAMMS guidelines.Results: Of the six dimensions of spiritual care competence (SCC), the mean scores were highest in ‘attitude towards the patient's spirituality’ and ‘communication’, whereas the ‘assessment and implementation of spiritual care’ and ‘professionalisation and improving the quality of spiritual care’ had the lowest mean scores. Through content analysis, 4 themes regarding the meaning of spiritual care, 3 themes regarding requirements for spiritual care and 2 themes regarding preparedness for spiritual care were revealed. They perceived the needs of the understanding of spiritual care based on the attributes of spirituality, the education in systematic assessments and implementation for spiritual care with standardised terminology, and the opportunity to reflect on nurses’ own spirituality.Conclusions: Practical SCC training for HPCNs and the subsequent development of clinical practice guidelines are of vital importance.Relevance to clinical practice: The results of this study provide a useful resource to develop educational programmes for strengthening the SCC of nurses and the entire HPC team.