Introduction: It is widely recognized that critical care environments significantly increase the risk of infection for both patients and healthcare personnel. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the determinants of nurses’ compliance with infection prevention and control practices in critical care units. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 155 nurses working in critical care units. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that measured sociodemographic characteristics, compliance, knowledge, and perceptions of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Statistical analyses, including multiple linear regression, were performed to assess predictors of compliance with IPC practices. This study was conducted following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines to ensure transparency and rigor in the reporting of the methodology and findings. Results: A total of 155 nurses participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 91.1%. Seventy-one percent demonstrated good compliance with IPC practices, while only 39.4% exhibited moderate knowledge of IPC guidelines. Experience in critical care (β = 3.542, p < .05) and institutional support (β = 0.246, p < .01) were significant predictors of compliance, highlighting the importance of both factors in promoting adherence to IPC practices. Conclusion: Although compliance with IPC practices was generally high, gaps in knowledge and perception suggest the need for enhanced educational initiatives and institutional support to further improve IPC adherence. Future research should focus on developing strategies that address these gaps to ensure sustainable compliance.

Nursing students, as future healthcare professionals, hold a crucial role in delivering high-quality care to older adults. Their ability to provide effective geriatric care depends significantly on comprehensive knowledge and the cultivation of positive attitudes, and behaviors. Recognizing this critical responsibility, this study aimed to assess nursing students’ attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding aging and ageism. A cross sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample from 334 nursing students during Spring 2024. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, including the Facts on Aging Quiz (knowledge assessment), the Relating to Older People Evaluation (ageist behaviors), and Kogan’s Attitudes toward Older People Scale. Results revealed significant knowledge gaps, with only a small percentage achieving an acceptable knowledge level. Ageist attitudes were prevalent, though positive attitudes outweighed negative ones. Students generally held somewhat positive views of aging, but negative behaviors persisted, particularly among female students. Work experience with older adults and a family history of caregiving were positively associated with higher knowledge scores. Additionally, satisfaction with nursing education and Confidence in caring for older adults were strongly associated with positive behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge regarding older adults. Correlation analysis showed positive relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, with attitudes significantly predicting behaviors in regression analysis. Nursing students demonstrated insufficient knowledge about older adults, with positive attitudes and behaviors prevailing despite persistent negative behaviors. Female students exhibited higher negative behaviors, while work experience and caregiving history correlated with better knowledge but did not influence attitudes or behaviors. Satisfaction with nursing education and confidence in geriatric caring were strongly linked to positive outcomes. Enhancing nursing curricula with practical, relevant content and opportunities for meaningful interaction with older adults is essential to improve students’ preparedness and foster quality care.

Patient education is fundamental to patient-centered care but faces significant implementation challenges. Nurses, ideally positioned to lead education, encounter barriers like time constraints, inadequate environments, and discontinuity across shifts, leading to inconsistent delivery. Understanding these barriers and facilitators from nurses’ perspectives is crucial for improving practice, especially in resource-constrained settings like Palestine. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 nurses (mean age 32.1 ± 11.4 years; 58% female; 62% governmental hospitals; 58.7% open units) across diverse Palestinian hospitals. A validated 20-item questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.89 overall) assessed 10 barriers and 10 facilitators using a 5-point Likert scale. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H), and ordinal logistic regression via SPSS v25. Top barriers were time limitations (37.3%; mean = 3.52 ± 1.06), unsuitable environment (33.3%; 3.46 ± 1.16), and discontinuity across shifts (32.0%). Key facilitators included prioritizing education evaluation (48.0% agreed; 3.63 ± 1.10), using educational technology (44.0% agreed; 3.67 ± 1.07), and dedicated nurse-educators (46.0% agreed). Significant predictors of higher barriers were older age (p < 0.001), governmental hospitals (p = 0.005), and lower education (Diploma/Bachelor vs. PhD, p < 0.05). Facilitators were more recognized by older nurses (p < 0.001), those in urban areas (B = 1.034, p = 0.016), and governmental staff (p = 0.015). Systemic barriers (time, environment, staffing) and actionable facilitators (technology, evaluation protocols, specialized roles) critically impact patient education in Palestine. Interventions must prioritize resource allocation, protected education time, Arabic-language tools, and leveraging experienced nurses. Policy reforms addressing nurse-patient ratios and institutional support are essential to enhance education quality and patient outcomes. This research did not involve a clinical trial; no clinical trial registration is applicable.

Palliative care aims to improve quality of life for patients with end-stage illnesses by addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Early referral to palliative care improves patient outcomes, quality of life and overall survival in a variety type of cancers. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and perceived benefits of early integration of palliative care among oncology nursing. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in public, private, and educational hospitals located in Palestine. Data were collected using paper based self-administered questionnaires from nurses working in hematology, general oncology, and bone marrow transplantation departments. Among of 128 nurses, the study revealed a moderate level of knowledge (3.64 ± 0.96), Positive attitude (3.59 ± 1.02) and moderately recognized the perceived benefits of early palliative care (3.57 ± 1.02). A statistically significant difference in nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and perceived benefits of early palliative care based on clinical experience. Pearson’s correlation showed a significant positive relationship between the total knowledge and attitudes score (r = 0.211, p < 0.001), as well as with perceived benefits total score (r = 0.567, p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant positive relationship between the total attitude score and perceived benefits score (r = 0.303, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that enhancing knowledge and highlighting the benefits of early palliative care integration could foster more favorable attitudes among oncology nurses. investing in education and training to have all nurses prepared to provide high-quality palliative care results in better patient outcomes and less suffering. Patients with advanced cancer should be referred to the palliative care teams at an early stage of treatment in conjunction with their treatment in order to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: A diverse group of neuroscience nurse experts discussed stroke nursing research at the 5th International Neuroscience Nursing Research Symposium. Panel experts from Singapore, India, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malawi, Germany, Palestine, Kenya, Japan, and the United States collaborated to examine similarities and differences in nurse-led stroke research conducted in their home countries. This article reflects panel insights on challenges and opportunities for nurse-led stroke research. DISCUSSION: The research challenges discussed include nursing independence, the processes of informed consent and randomization process, obtaining adequate independent funding, recruiting research subjects, and working with vulnerable groups. The major opportunities to leverage and improve stroke nursing research include facilitating the nurse investigator role, information digitalization, improving health literacy, and collaboration between nurse researchers. SUMMARY: We are living in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated many challenges. There is a need to allow for creativity around recruitment and conducting stroke research. The use of technology reduces travel needs and mitigates many safety, financial, and transportation-related problems. Although the pandemic has highlighted the challenges faced when conducting stroke-related research, there are remarkable similarities in opportunities to improve outcomes.

Background: Diabetes distress, the emotional burden and stress related to managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been linked to poor self-management and adverse health outcomes. In Palestine, particularly in the North of West Bank, adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus face unique social and economic challenges that may exacerbate diabetes distress, impacting their ability to maintain effective diabetes management. Addressing diabetes distress is crucial for improving health outcomes and quality of life in this population, yet research on its prevalence and associated factors in the North of West Bank is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes distress and identify its associated demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the North of West Bank, Palestine. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 404 adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus in various healthcare centers across the North of West Bank. Participants completed the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 and a sociodemographic questionnaire, and additional clinical data such as HbA1c levels. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to identify associations between diabetes distress and demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors, with a focus on assessing the impact of these variables on distress levels. Results: Of the 423 eligible individuals approached, 404 participants were included in the final analysis (response rate: 95.5%). The median age was 55 years (IQR: 49–63), with a nearly equal gender distribution. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 6.4%) was observed in 76.0% of participants, and 74.3% reported one or more comorbidities. High and moderate levels of diabetic distress were reported by 29.0% and 25.2% of participants, respectively, with emotional and regimen-related distress being the most prevalent domains. Significant factors associated with higher distress included comorbidities, smoking, urban residence, unemployment, living with family, and residence in Nablus. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that absence of comorbidities, younger age, living alone, and non-urban residence were protective factors against high distress ( p < .05). The model explained 20.1% of the variance in distress levels (Nagelkerke R² = 0.201). Conclusion: Diabetes distress is common among adults with type 2 diabetes and is significantly influenced by clinical, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors. Routine screening and targeted psychosocial interventions are essential, especially for high-risk groups, to improve both psychological well-being and diabetes outcomes.