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Background:  Nursing documentation is an integral part of nursing practice that is planned and delivered to individual patients by qualified nurses to provide evidence of the standard of care. The quality of nursing documentation is the inscriptions of all categories of nurses, including students, to record nursing care to facilitate continuity of care and patients' safety.

Objectives:  This study aimed to explore and describe the psychiatric nurses' comprehension of the quality of nursing documentation in the selected mental health institution in Gauteng province.

Method:  The qualitative, explorative-descriptive and contextual design was used. The target population was all nurses directly involved in patient care. Individual face-to-face semistructured interviews were used to collect data. Braun and Clarke's (2022) six steps of the thematic descriptive analysis method were adopted to allow the second author to identify themes and recapitulate data.

Results:  The two themes and subthemes that emerged from the findings include nurses' understanding of the impact of quality documentation on patient care outcomes and support needs to improve the quality of nursing documentation.

Conclusion:  Understanding the quality of nursing documentation is an essential element for producing continuous clinical communication and reflection on the everyday activities of nursing care that are planned and implemented on individual patients' progress reports.Contribution: The study contributes to nursing practice, as its results can be used to measure the quality of the primary source of clinical information improvements, allowing healthcare professionals to communicate with each other about a patient's care.

Background:  Mental disorders remain a global health burden. The integration of mental health services into primary healthcare (PHC) can contribute to reduction of this burden. However, studies have reported PHC nurses' lack of knowledge of mental disorders, which leads to their negative attitudes towards people with mental disorders preventing them from seeking help.

Objectives:  The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge levels of PHC nurses regarding mental disorders in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Method:  A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 246 PHC nurses in the Cape Town metropole. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and independent sample tests. A cut-off value of ≥ 80% was used to determine the sufficient levels of knowledge.

Results:  The average knowledge score (15.6; 78.0%) was below the cut-off value of ≥ 80%, indicating insufficient levels of knowledge. Sufficient levels of knowledge were found for over half of the respondents (139, 59.4%). Most of the respondents were knowledgeable about the symptoms of depression (221, 94.4 %), bipolar (217, 92.7%), schizophrenia (213, 91.0%) and anxiety disorders (209, 89.3%).

Conclusion:  Over half of the PHC nurses could identify the signs and symptoms of common mental disorders. However, the knowledge of dysthymia and psychosis requires more attention.Contribution: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in nursing practice and education related to mental disorders.

Background:  Nurses' adherence to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) policies significantly impacts infection rates, yet various factors, including communication gaps, lack of policy involvement and insufficient training, hinder compliance.

Objectives:  This study investigated the availability of COVID-19 infection control policies and frontline nurses' adherence to these policies at an academic hospital in Johannesburg.

Method:  A quantitative, descriptive-comparative design was employed, using stratified random sampling across three phases: policy document analysis, adherence assessment and observation. Phase one evaluated the comprehensiveness of policies from National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Department of Health (DoH) (SA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers ffor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Results:  National Institute for Communicable Diseases, DoH and academic hospital policies were 100% adequate, while CDC and NIH policies met 82% of assessed attributes. Phases two and three assessed adherence using questionnaires and observations. Results revealed higher adherence during direct patient contact (median 5/7; 70%) compared to pre- and post-contact behaviours (median 3/6; 50%). Principal component analysis showed a strong correlation (r = 0.903) between adherence and general precautionary measures.

Conclusion:  Despite partial compliance, findings highlight a need for enhanced in-service training and improved communication strategies to promote policy adherence and minimise infection risks.Contribution: Recommendations are provided to strengthen nursing practice, education and policy development, empowering nurses with knowledge and strategies for effective infection control.

Background:  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has severely impacted nursing services, with thousands of ICU nurses infected with potentially fatal respiratory infections. Saudi Arabian studies suggest psychological implications, with loneliness and social isolation linked to higher depression and anxiety levels. Pandemic preparedness should focus on workforce protection and mental well-being promotion.

Objectives:  This study aimed to understand the experiences of critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia who contracted COVID-19, with the goal of formulating recommendations to empower them, increase resilience, and help the profession thrive post-pandemic.

Method:  This study used an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach, conducting unstructured interviews with 11 Critical Care Unit (CCU) Registered Nurse (RN) who contracted COVID-19, and analysing the data using Colaizzi's seven-step method.

Results:  Three themes emerged from the data: (1) physical isolation led to loneliness and psychological separation, lacking emotional support and freedom of choice; (2) reintegration into the work environment increased stress and loneliness and (3) Coronavirus disease 2019 exposure provided essential insight into patient care and increased awareness of adaptive skills. These themes highlight the challenges participants faced during the pandemic.

Conclusion:  This research study indicated the experiences of ICU nurses who contracted COVID-19, revealing feelings of loneliness, depression and stress. Despite reintegration into their work environment, these feelings persist.Contribution: The study indicates that nurses in social isolation or quarantine also require open communication, social interaction, personal autonomy and emotional support to boost their resilience and mental health, and to increase their job satisfaction.

Background:  The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic strained the healthcare sector and workers. Nurses experienced stress and burnout because of strain in resources, limited staff and exposure risk. Resultant lower back pain was prevalent. Nurses were poorly equipped to manage these conditions physically and psychologically.

Objectives:  The study aims to investigate lower back pain and stress levels during COVID-19. It also aims to provide data describing any association between both.

Method:  Pain and stress were determined using questionnaires. Quantitative, descriptive design and convenient sampling were used. The Chi-square goodness-of-fit-test tests significant Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS) responses (12 daily activities lower back pain) and determines the relationship between pain and stress before and during COVID-19 related to the current time. Chi-square test of independence is used on cross-tabulations to determine the relationship between stress and lower back pain. Fisher's exact test was used for conditions not met. The Binomial test was used for the significance check of yes/no response to medication use. A questionnaire was provided on exercise levels and provision by workplace.

Results:  Higher pain and stress were noted during versus prior to COVID-19. Back Pain Functional Scale showed no difficulty performing the majority of activities. A small percentage used medication, showing no significant change. Majority did not perform exercise for reducing lower back pain prior to or during COVID-19. Exercise intervention was not provided by workplaces for the majority, during or prior to COVID-19.

Conclusion:  Lower back pain and perceived stress levels increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provision of lower back pain education and exercise intervention in preventing and managing lower back pain in hospital nurses was needed. This study adds to the stress and lower back pain knowledge base in South Africa.Contribution: The findings assist in understanding the effects of Covid-19 on stress and lower back pain in nurses, linkage of the two, and possible interventions to reduce these effects using knowledge enhancement and prescribed exercise interventions.

Background:  Key populations are disproportionately affected by HIV despite the significant decrease in new HIV infections in Africa. They experience challenges like stigma and discrimination as they interface with the healthcare system. This results in reduced access to HIV care services for key populations. Therefore, the attainment of HIV epidemic control may not be easily realised if these gaps are not addressed.

Objectives:  To explore and synthesise factors associated with accessing HIV care services by key populations, as well as make a reflection of this process using Ubuntu philosophy.

Method:  An integrative literature review was conducted on studies published between 2014 and 2024. An electronic search was performed on several databases. Examples of key phrases that were utilised for the search included Africa, HIV care services, key populations and Ubuntu. The studies included were qualitative and quantitative from peer-reviewed journals and restricted to Africa.

Results:  The following themes emerged: non-inclusive healthcare environment, attitudes of healthcare workers and stigma and discrimination. These findings illustrate the challenges and barriers affecting access to HIV care services for key populations.

Conclusion:  The insights from this review call for a paradigm shift in the training programmes of healthcare providers in Southern Africa.Contribution: Given the challenges that affect key populations as they access HIV care services, in-service and pre-service training of healthcare providers should incorporate the humane values of Ubuntu.

Background:  Morals are norms of conduct, behaviour and guidelines that nurses must uphold and observe in nursing. Moral codes require nurses and student nurses to respect human rights and dignity, and act with sound ethical judgement. However, when student nurses witness and fail to prevent acts that transgress their deeply held moral beliefs, their moral code is damaged, and deep emotional wounds ensue, leading to moral injury.

Objectives:  This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and effects of moral injury in student nurses at a higher education institution in South Africa.

Method:  A quantitative, non-experimental cross-sectional survey was relied upon. The total population sampling method was applied, resulting in 124 respondents. Data were collected among the undergraduate student nurses registered at a higher education institution in Johannesburg from first to final year using a self-administered Moral Injury Symptom Scale - Healthcare Professionals questionnaire. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics version 28 software.

Results:  The results indicated that more than a third (34%) of students experienced moral injury. Furthermore, a positive significant relationship between the presence of moral injury and academic performance among the students was noted (p = 0.029).

Conclusion:  In this study, the prevalence of moral injury among student nurses was investigated and its effects on academic performance were reported.Contribution: The effects of moral injury among student nurses indicate a need for higher education institutions to design and implement nursing curriculum that would assist students to develop moral resilience and ethical behaviour.

Background:  South Africa faces a significant shortage of anaesthesiologists, compromising healthcare access and increasing anaesthesia-related risks. Addressing this issue requires sustainable, locally relevant solutions aligned with global surgery initiatives to enhance surgical care access.

Objectives:  This study explores anaesthesiologists' perspectives on the necessity of nurse anaesthetists in South Africa and offers recommendations for developing their practice.

Method:  A qualitative, descriptive, and contextual design was employed, using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The population consisted of anaesthesiologists registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face and online. Analysis followed Colaizzi's seven-step method, supported by an independent coder.

Results:  Findings revealed diverse perspectives, ranging from support for independent, well-trained nurse anaesthetists under supervision or as assistants, to complete opposition to nurse anaesthetists administering anaesthesia. Participants emphasised that the anaesthesiology specialist community should define nurse anaesthetists' scope of practice, which must be regulated. Training should align with diplomate anaesthetists' standards and involve anaesthesiologists supported by nursing educators.

Conclusion:  This pioneering research addresses a critical gap in South Africa's healthcare system by exploring the introduction of nurse anaesthetists to mitigate the shortage of anaesthesia providers.Contribution: Its findings hold the potential to inform policy and practice, contributing to the advancement of anaesthesia services and addressing a pressing healthcare need in South Africa.

Background:  Insufficient resources at healthcare clinics pose a serious problem, undermining the quality-of-service delivery and negatively affecting the patients as recipients of care and the staff as providers of care. The shortages often result in extended waiting periods, delayed implementation of nursing interventions, prolonged hospitalisation and the potential of increased nosocomial infections.

Objectives:  To explore and describe the impact of insufficient resources on the quality-of-service delivery at a primary healthcare clinic in Limpopo.

Method:  The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Tesch's eight-step method of data analysis. The study was steered by the Donabedian quality-of-care framework.

Results:  One central theme emerged, namely scarcity of healthcare resources, with three subthemes: (1) the impact of water shortage on the quality-of-service delivery, (2) the impact of staff shortage on the quality-of-service delivery and (3) the impact of medication shortage on the quality-of-service delivery.

Conclusion:  Insufficient resources negatively affect the quality-of-service delivery in healthcare. The provision of sufficient resources through collective managerial interventions is imperative to develop and implement measures to enhance the quality-of-service delivery.Contribution: This study may create awareness among the leadership about the challenges of the clinic. It may also facilitate the development and implementation of processes to provide the resources required to improve the quality-of-service delivery.

Background:  Staff shortages, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, increased patient acuity and fiscal restraints contributed to basic nursing students being assigned to intensive care units (ICU). These students, expected to step up and function within the team, were confronted with expectations and situations beyond their clinical preparation for practice. How can we better prepare these students for practice?

Objectives:  To develop recommendations that promote transition programmes that prepare student nurses to become practice-ready novice general nurses to work in the ICU.

Method:  The study adopted a sequential explanatory mixed-method. Quantitative data collection was achieved through census sampling and the utilisation of the Casey Fink Practice Readiness Survey. Statistical analyses used IBM SPSS (version 25, IBM Corporation) to identify predictive relationships between practice readiness and identified variables through multi-linear regression. Qualitative data collected through purposive selection and semi-structured focus group discussions were transcribed, coded and analysed through domain analysis.

Results:  Four factors affecting nursing students' perceived readiness for practice in the ICU were identified: (1) Support for new general nurses, (2) their need for professional socialisation and belonging, (3) orientation and skill development and (4) rotation and exposure to the ICU.

Conclusion:  Multifaceted innovative introduction programmes may assist in preparing the novice general nurse to become practice-ready.Contribution: This article contributes towards a possible solution to bridge the theory-practice gap and positively influence students' transition into the workplace to facilitate retention of novice practitioners beyond their first year of practice in a specialised unit.