Background: Pressure ulcers (PU) remain a serious complication of immobile patients and a burden for healthcare professionals. The incidence and prevalence remain alarming. Knowledge and attitudes of nurses play a fundamental role in prevention. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards the prevention of PU in selected Slovak hospitals and find relationships and differences among selected variables. Methods: A quantitative exploratory cross-sectional design was chosen. Validated instruments were used. From the 460 randomly selected nurses, 225 (49%) participated in this research. Results: Results showed insufficient knowledge (45.5%) and attitudes (67.9%) of nurses towards PU prevention. There was a significant positive correlation found between the knowledge and attitudes (ρ = 0.300; p = 0.000). Nurses´ knowledge was significantly different within the level of education (p = 0.031) and work department (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Results showed insufficiencies in the knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards PU prevention. Therefore, it is essential to focus on general education and continuing education and practice of nurses. Further development of educational programs and frequent measurement of these two parameters can lead to a significant improvement in the quality of care provided.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the quality of life of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) based on their visus and peripheral vision. Methods: Our study was observational in nature; it was a cross-sectional study. In total, 119 patients with POAG were included in a causal-comparative character, ex post facto research design. The authors collected data using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) and World Health Organization Quality of Life abbreviated version questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) tools. Results: Only patients with POAG that were over 18 years of age and had no other ocular or chronic illnesses were included. The mean duration of glaucoma was 8.77 (SD ± 5.63) years. Binocular disability was observed in 68.0% of patients. Using WHOQOL-BREF, there were significant differences found in the better-eye-vision group in psychological (p < 0.001) and environment (p < 0.001) domains. In the worse-eye-vision group, significant differences were found in physical health (p < 0.001), environment (p < 0.001), and quality related to health (p < 0.001) domains. Using NEI VFQ-25, there were significant differences found (p = 0.000) in all domains except subscale driving. Conclusion: Quality of life of patients with visual impairment is significantly lower in comparison to that of patients without a visual impairment.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally. Most can be prevented by addressing behavioral risk factors, where advanced practice nurses- clinical specialists in cardiovascular nursing play a fundamental role. This modern and effective role is based on advanced activities, knowledge, skills, and experience in a specialized field, which can make a significant contribution to solving the problems of these civilization diseases. The aim of this work is to explore the self-perception of advanced-practice nurses (APNs) working in cardiology and vascular medicine departments within the context of advanced-practice nursing. Methods: This quantitative exploratory study included 103 APNs working in cardiology and vascular diseases departments of specialized hospitals in Slovakia. A validated instrument was used. Results: The overall perception was at the level of 68.01%. The highest-rated domain was the outcomes for patients/clients, and subdomains were meeting the needs, education of healthcare workers, and quality in relation to management. There was a significant difference found among hospitals with a better scoring of specialized institutions. Conclusion: There have been promising advances due to the current legislation in Slovakia defining APNs and specialists’ competencies. However, the practice in nursing for CVD patients remains fragmented, uncategorized and less valued by stakeholders and the public. According to the results, nurses have the potential and preparedness for this role in the context of their knowledge and skills in general. The Authors conclude that there is a need of such specialization of APNs in Slovakia.

Background: Advanced practice nursing (APN) is a modern and effective nursing role that has a positive impact on health care systems around the world. Guiding principles are advanced education, expanded scope of practice, and policies supportive of the role. Purpose: The aim of this study was to find out the perception of APNs of their own practice in the context of the current legislative conditions in Slovakia and to identify related factors. Methods: A quantitative exploratory design was selected. From 5,067 APN, 584 were conveniently selected. The adapted and modified SCAPE study questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were processed using SPSS 25. Results: There were differences between newly introduced competencies for the APN role in Slovakia and the general concept of the role that could influence practice. The level of APNs' perception of their own practice is low. Years of practice was significantly and positively related to the perception. The results in each region were significantly different. Community nurses/outpatient nurses assessed their practice at a significantly higher level. The educational curriculum lacks the subject of APN. Competencies, remuneration, and satisfaction with the status are insufficient. Implications for practice: To understand, implement, and practice the concept of APN, it is essential to change policies related to competencies, education, remuneration, and status. Creation of an educational model that includes the subject area of advanced practice nursing in the postgraduate curriculum is essential. Education and practice conditions for advanced practice nurses should be uniform in all regions of the country.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-based educational programme designed to support evidence-based pressure ulcer/injury (PU/I) prevention and management among undergraduate nursing students (P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia) and to examine the relationship between perceived educational effectiveness and objectively demonstrated clinical competence. Method: A single-group post-intervention observational study was conducted among second-year undergraduate nursing students. The educational programme was developed according to international PU/I clinical practice guidelines and the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice. Students’ perceived educational effectiveness was assessed using the simulation effectiveness tool–modified (SET-M), while clinical competence was evaluated using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Associations and group differences were examined using non-parametric tests. Results: The experimental cohort comprised 61 second-year undergraduate nursing students. Students demonstrated high levels of psychomotor competence, with >90% correct performance across all assessed OSCE competencies. The SET-M total score was 46.13±6.54, indicating highly positive perceptions of the simulation experience. No significant association was found between the SET-M total score and OSCE performance (ρ=−0.129, p=0.321), nor between individual SET-M domains and objectively assessed competence. Previous simulation experience and previous secondary education were not associated with either educational outcome. Conclusion: The simulation-based educational programme was associated with high levels of objectively demonstrated psychomotor competence and highly positive learner perceptions. However, perceived educational effectiveness was not associated with objectively assessed clinical competence, highlighting the importance of combining learner-reported and performance-based outcome measures when evaluating simulation-based education. These findings support simulation as a strategy for teaching evidence-based PU/I management in undergraduate nursing education.

Meaningful learning through the creation a digital concept map is the easiest way to gain cognitive knowledge, new information, and possibility how to expand among learners. Only a few empirical studies have been conducted in the field of nursing regarding learning through concept mapping to achieve higher levels of knowledge and digital skills. The study evaluated the student’s ability to visualize cognitive knowledge by creating a digital concept map. The objectives were to identify the perception using digital technologies and conceptual mapping, differences and relationships between gender, age, years of study, and branches. We used the ContextMinds program map creation. There were 92 Slovak students of nursing, public health and physiotherapy participated in the study. Data were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Perception of learning using digital concept mapping strategy was assessed using descriptive statistics, where paired t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square were used. The study found a positive perception of creating the digital concept map, but a low level of digital skills. First-year students took one or more weeks to submit the final version of the concept map in comparison to third-year students who took one or more hours. For second-year students, a creation of a concept map was less problematic than for first-year students. Students prefer standard teaching and learning methods. Healthcare absolvents are required to be proficient in digital literacy. Applying cognitive knowledge to create a digital concept map is a challenging strategy procedure.