Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is essential for nurses to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in the evolving healthcare sector. This study explores nurses’ attitudes toward CPD, its necessity, and the challenges encountered. The aim is to examine nurses’ perspectives on CPD, focusing on their participation and motivation, in relation to their workplace, workplace function, and form of work. A cross-sectional study design was employed with 151 nurses from University Hospital Centre Split, Croatia. Data were collected using the “Professional Development of Nurses questionnaire (Q-PDN)” and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA test, and t-test. The average level of participation in CPD activities was 4.27 (±0.63), indicating a positive inclination towards CPD. The study identified a statistically significant difference in activities related to CPD (t = 2.12; p = 0.036) among employees of surgical and intensive care units compared to other departments, where a higher level of engagement was present among employees of other departments. Notably, nurses without managerial roles showed 0.16 points higher participation in CPD activities compared to their managerial counterparts, though this was not statistically significant (t = 0.92; p = 0.357). Nurses in managerial roles valued CPD for professional development more highly, with a significant difference (t = 2.77; p = 0.006). Full-time nurses demonstrated a higher perception of the importance of personal professional development compared to part-time nurses, with a significant difference (F = 2.88; p = 0.038). The study reveals a strong commitment to CPD among nurses, with variations based on workplace roles and schedules. It underscores the need for role-specific and adaptable CPD programs to meet diverse needs and enhance professional competence in the nursing workforce.

Background: Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an unregulated host response to infection. The emphasis is on the imbalance of homeostasis and the response to infection, as well as mortality and the importance of recognizing sepsis as early as possible. The knowledge of undergraduate nursing students is an extremely important indicator for future work in the healthcare system after graduation. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of knowledge about sepsis among undergraduate nursing students and to compare differences in different years of study, as well as differences in their study model. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 618 nursing students at the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb, Croatia. All three years of study and both full-time and part-time (employed) nursing students were included. The questionnaire “Determinants of Sepsis Knowledge” was used in the research. Results: The percentage and number of third-year students who correctly answered the items on Knowledge of Sepsis were statistically significant compared to the first two years of study. The percentage and number of employed students who responded correctly to the items on Knowledge of Sepsis were statistically significant compared to students who were not employed. Conclusions: The ability of nursing students to recognize and respond to the deterioration in a patient’s condition due to sepsis is very important, so appropriate education about sepsis is essential. We recommend a greater representation of sepsis content in the core curriculum of nursing students’ education in terms of theoretical instruction and clinical and simulation exercises.

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the level and association of physical activity and selected chronic diseases in functionally independent LTC residents after prolonged physical and social isolation during COVID-19 in Croatia. Adhering to the inclusion criteria, 180 functionally independent residents were included in the study. Assessment of physical activity was carried out by 7-day motor monitoring. Prolonged physical and social isolation negatively affected the achieved level of physical activity of LTC residents ($\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ = 5058.74). Major depressive disorder resulted in significantly lower residents’ physical activity scores, demonstrating a shrinking effect ranging from 0.42 to 0.45. A significant negative impact on the residents’ physical activity was also found in the presence of osteoarthritis and iron deficiency anemia, where a downward effect was present in the range from 0.66–0.72 and 0.64 to 0.66. The presence of comorbidities has a significant negative impact on the residents’ physical activity, where a downward effect is present in the range from 0.91–0.92.

Sense of coherence (SOC) occupies the central place within the salutogenic model. It is an important contributor to the development and maintenance of people’s health. This study aimed to assess the strength of sense of coherence (SOC) among nurses and the relationship between the strength of SOC and socio-demographic and work-related factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. Linear regression was used to describe strength of association between SOC and socio-demographic and work-related factors. A total of 713/1300 nurses completed an SOC-29-item questionnaire for the assessment of SOC. The mean value for total SOC score (SOCS) was 145.0 points (SD 22.1, range 81–200). The results of the multivariate linear regression revealed statistically significant positive associations between SOCS and age (>40 years), level of education (master of nursing and bachelor of nursing), and transportation mode by car. Our study suggested SOC as an important and influential health-promoting personal resource of nurses which might offer protection regarding work-related stress.

Introduction. Needle stick injury (NSI) is an occupational health and safety issue. Nursing students are prone to NSI due to lack of experience with handling needles and sharps. Aim. To determine the level of knowledge about the prevention of NSI and examine the level of knowledge about the post-exposure procedure and the students’ understanding of NSI. Methods. The study was conducted in 2017 at the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb. The participants were nursing students from all regions of Croatia. The data was collected using a questionnaire containing 17 questions specifically designed for this study. One question had three subquestions and one had five subquestions regarding the knowledge of how to react if a needle stick injury occurs. The participants also responded to a questionnaire on their socio-demographic data. Results. The study included 149 students. The results show that 16 students have experienced NSI. A statistically significant difference was observed among students who have finished a secondary medical school in the answers about post-NSI interventions and in answers to the question of whether the needle should be recapped. The respondents from medical schools answered correctly. A statistically significant difference was observed among students from non-medical secondary schools in the answers about education on post-exposition procedures and in the answers about necessary action following a needle stick injury. The respondents from non-medical secondary schools had higher scores. Conclusion. The results of this study can be used to establish appropriate education strategies, increase the awareness of needle stick injuries and minimize the occurrence of these injuries among nursing students in Croatia.