https://www.nursearcher.com/index.php/nrs/issue/feed NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences) 2025-07-03T11:33:01+00:00 Khurram Mehboob editor@nursearcher.com Open Journal Systems <p><strong>Title of Journal: NURSEARCHER </strong></p> <p><strong>(ISSN Online: 2958-9746, Print: 2958-9738)</strong></p> <p><strong>Frequency: Quarterly (w.e.f Jan, 2024)</strong></p> <p>Affiliated with: <strong>Lahore Medical Research Center</strong></p> <p><strong>Website: (</strong><a href="http://www.lmrc.com.pk">www.lmrc.com.pk</a>)</p> <p>Published By: <strong>CrossLinks International Publishers LLC</strong></p> <p><strong>Website: (</strong><a href="http://www.clip.com.pk">www.clip.com.pk</a>)</p> <p><strong>Address: </strong>117 S Lexington St Ste 100, Harrisonville, MO 64701, USA</p> <p>Nursearcher is a quarterly journal, open access, double blind peer-reviewed international journal that that aims to foster the production and dissemination of knowledge that is directly relevant to all areas of nursing practice.</p> <p>Topics of interest include:</p> <ul> <li>Nursing education</li> <li>Community nursing</li> <li>Specialist nursing topics</li> <li>Policies in nursing and healthcare</li> <li>Ethical issues</li> <li>Healthcare systems</li> <li>Healthcare management</li> <li>Pediatrics nursing</li> <li>Palliative care and taking care of elderly population</li> <li>Simulations and skill labs in nursing</li> <li>First aid, handling of emergency cases</li> <li>Nursing role in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases</li> <li>Family planning, birth control, gynaecology</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>The major goal is to encourage high-quality clinically linked knowledge that improves and supports nursing practice and discipline. The Journal also strives to contribute to the expanding field of nursing practice by providing a platform for researchers, physicians, and healthcare workers. Furthermore, NURSEARCHER aims to broaden understanding of clinical need and its implications for nursing intervention and service delivery methods.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Accreditation:</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Approved by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for the year 2024-25</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fee &amp; Subscription Charges</strong></span></p> <p>Article Processing Fee: <strong>NONE</strong></p> <p>Article Publication Fee (National) Rs 20000 / Article</p> <p>Article Publication Fee (International ) 200 USD / Article</p> <p>Printed Version (Selected Articles on Authors Request): Rs 2500/per copy</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Annual Subscription for Printed Versions</strong></span></p> <p>For Institutes: Rs 20,000/ Annually</p> <p>Single Copy (Selected Articles): Rs 2500/-</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Waiver Policy</strong></span></p> <p>If an author has no funds to pay such charges, he may request for full or partial waiver of publication fees. The decision may however vary from case to case.</p> <p>We do not want charges to prevent the publication of worthy material.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Submissions</strong></span></p> <p>Submission are welcome and may be submitted here: <u><a href="mailto:editor@nursearcher.com">editor@nursearcher.com</a></u></p> https://www.nursearcher.com/index.php/nrs/article/view/176 Confronting the Challenges of Nursing in Pakistan 2025-07-03T11:32:42+00:00 Iram Majeed Principalnursing@nmdc.edu.pk <p>The healthcare system of Pakistan is silently in a state of crisis, which is an under-supported and under-valued nursing workforce. The system is perilously doctor-centric, with only 5.2 nurses per 10 000 people and a ratio of nurses to doctors of only 0.4. Thousands of nurses quit their jobs because of low wages, high workloads, and opportunities, leaving hospitals with no choice but to employ underqualified workers. Although the stigma attached to the profession is slowly disappearing-which has attracted more men into the profession-lack of nurses in leadership and decision making positions has continued to hamper progress.</p> <p>The world market is experiencing a surge in demand of nurses. The world is going to experience a lack of more than 4 million nurses by the year 2030. Nations such as Qatar and the UAE already rely on foreign nurses to do more than 98 percent of their jobs. Pakistan has meanwhile made little headway. Although the number of nurses registering overseas is expected to increase by 33 percent yearly between 2014 and 2024, the proportion of nurses among highly qualified emigrants remains low at 5.8 percent. One of the reasons is the broken nursing education system in Pakistan</p> <p>Most of the nursing colleges particularly unregulated private colleges graduate nurses with no practical training. Graduates are not prepared because of theory-practice gaps, obsolete curricula, and a shortage of simulation equipment. The gap between the academic institutions and clinical practice is grim and not many faculty members have actual hospital experience. In addition, nurses face difficulties in international mobility because it is expensive, national curriculum are obsolete and there is little government support. Pakistan needs to take decisive action to alter this course. First, enhance retention: standardize compensation, decrease workloads, and provide tax advantage and career path. Second, transform nursing education through standardized testing, high-tech instructional materials, and specialization in accordance with the needs around the world. Third, reduce the clinical-academia divide by requiring faculty to be joint-appointed and immersed.</p> <p>Lastly, in case of international placement, the government will have to redesign the national curriculum, obtain international accreditation, and promote nurses internationally. Exploitative private agents should be substituted with direct government-to-government recruitment models and the financial barriers should be minimized. Nurses are not mere support personnel they are the spine of the patient care. Nursing can no longer be a second thought in Pakistan, which is serious about developing a robust healthcare system and accessing the global demand. It is not only necessary, but it is overdue to face the challenges head on.</p> 2025-06-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences) https://www.nursearcher.com/index.php/nrs/article/view/156 Investigating Faculty to Student Incivility in Nursing Education: "Impact on Students' Learning Throughout Academic Journey "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2025-07-03T11:33:00+00:00 . Shaista eshal001swat@gmail.com Abdur Rahman 1@gmail.com Saba Saleem 2@gmail.com Mehrun Nisa 4@gmail.com Tasleem Tahir 5@gmail.com Sidra Ali 6@gmail.com Faisal Rahman 7@gmail.com <p>Faculty-to-student incivility is an evolving alarm in nursing education, undesirably influencing students’ psychological well-being, academic performance, and professional development. Such behaviours, including impolite communication, favouritism, and lack of support, can delay students' learning environments and lead to long-term detachment from the profession. Despite its status, incivility remains underexplored in the context of nursing institutes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. <strong>Objectives:</strong> To explore the frequency and impact of faculty-to-student incivility on the academic journey of undergraduate nursing students in nursing colleges across different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. <strong>Methods:</strong> An analytical cross-sectional design was conducted. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using Google Forms. Verbal consent was obtained from participants, and the purpose of the study was clearly explained. The sample included undergraduate nursing students from various colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26.0. <strong>Results:</strong> The findings revealed a high prevalence of incivility, with the most frequently reported behaviours being verbal discouragement, lack of constructive feedback, and favouritism. A significant negative correlation was found between faculty incivility and students’ academic motivation, self-esteem, and classroom participation. Furthermore, female students reported experiencing higher levels of incivility compared to their male equals. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Faculty incivility stances a serious challenge to student learning in nursing education. Promoting respectful faculty-student communication and implementing institutional policies against incivility can enhance educational outcomes and professional development.</p> 2025-06-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences) https://www.nursearcher.com/index.php/nrs/article/view/160 Cultural Competence among Nurses Working in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Peshawar 2025-07-03T11:32:57+00:00 Aurang Zeb 1@gmail.com Gauhar Rahman 2@gmail.com Aasim Shafqat 3@gmail.com Rimsha Amjad 4@gmail.com Kawsar Rahman 5@gmail.com Aqsa Qadar 6@gmail.com Rehan Ullah rehanking983@gmail.com Shagufa Shakoor 7@gmail.com <p>The importance of cultural competency among nurses in diverse healthcare settings cannot be underestimated. Understanding cultural differences is essential for effective patient care. Cultural competence is vital globally, especially in places like Peshawar, Pakistan, with a growing migrant population. Despite a shortage of nurses, their role in fostering cultural understanding is crucial. Assessing nurses' knowledge of cultural competence in Peshawar's major hospitals is vital, offering insights for targeted training programs and improving healthcare. <strong>Objective:</strong> To assess the cultural competence levels of registered nurses in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar and identify factors influencing their cultural awareness and sensitivity. <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study in four major tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan, utilized a convenient sample of 268 registered nurses directly involved in patient care were surveyed using an adopted questionnaire of 11 questions on culture competencies. Data analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Ethical approval was obtained from Rehman College of Nursing and hospital ethics boards while ensuring participant confidentiality, voluntary participation and informed consent. <strong>Results:</strong> Results showed 0.37% were adequately competent, 16.04% moderately competent, and 83.20% highly competent. The mean score was 17.65 with a standard deviation of 2.122. Participants' backgrounds, training attendance, and work experiences were considered in the analysis. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The study revealed that elderly, veterans, especially those with extensive cross-cultural patient interactions, displayed greater cultural competence. This information is useful for tailoring culturally sensitive training programs to the nurses who will benefit the most from them.</p> 2025-06-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences) https://www.nursearcher.com/index.php/nrs/article/view/157 Explore Issues and Barriers to Internship among Graduating Students in Nursing Institutes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2025-07-03T11:32:58+00:00 Iqdar Ali Iqdar1988@gmail.com Khalil Ahmad 1@gmail.com Nusrat Ara 2@gmail.com Salman Ahmad 4@gmail.com Sadia Noreen 5@gmail.com Surraya Ali 5@gmail.com <p>Internships are pivotal in shaping the professional course of graduating students, yet newly graduated nurses often confront a lack of confidence and preparedness for clinical roles, posing challenges as they transition from academia to practice. However, nursing students reportedly struggle to achieve the intended objectives of skill development, resulting in insufficient competence. <strong>Objective:</strong> To explore issues and barriers to internship placement among graduating students in nursing institutes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. <strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive phenomenological qualitative design was used to explore participants’ experiences. Ethical approval was obtained from the ERB of Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. Data were collected from seven purposively selected students through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed, translated, and organized between October and December 2023. Colaizzi’s seven-step framework guided the thematic content analysis. <strong>Results:</strong> Four main themes emerged from the study: institution-related problems, factors associated with regulatory bodies, issues linked to hospitals, and factors related to effects or outcomes. Nursing students encountered various barriers, including low motivation, inadequate monitoring of learning, lack of knowledge, improper rotation plans, absence of policies, insufficient supervision, inadequate stress-coping support, and challenges in managing time between theory and practical activities during their clinical internships. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Graduating nursing students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face significant institutional, regulatory, and clinical barriers that hinder effective internship placement and skill development. <strong> </strong></p> 2025-06-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences) https://www.nursearcher.com/index.php/nrs/article/view/142 Role of Clinical Instructor in Supervision of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students: A Qualitative Enquiry 2025-07-03T11:33:01+00:00 Yasmin Azad yasminazad1987@gmail.com Nafisa Iqbal 1@gmail.com Raisa Gul 2@gmail.com Asma Khalil 3@gmail.com <p>The clinical education is vital to ensure clinical competence of nursing professionals and gradually train the nursing students. The role of clinical instructors considered to be crucial in clinical supervision of students. Thus, they have various responsibilities that must be identified. <strong>Objective:</strong> The study aims to identify the roles and responsibilities of the clinical instructors who help supervise nursing students’ training in educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. <strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive exploratory design was used to identify the role of clinical instructors working in private and public institutions. The purposive sampling technique was used to recruit twelve clinical instructors in the study. For data collection, open-ended questionnaires and question guides were employed since they provide the utmost accuracy. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis. <strong>Results: </strong>It also identified the roles, nature and factors that influence clinical instructors and their supervision of the students. Specific means accounted for were implementing links between theory and practice, controlling and guiding students, demonstrating professional behavior, being proactive in delivering feedback about the students, and prompt patient care. Moreover, the teaching competence; professional and ethical practices; and clinical expertise were identified as important characteristics of clinical instructors. <strong>Conclusions: </strong>Therefore, it has been realized that several facilitating and constraining factors affect clinical instructors in the course of their work in the working organization or their own personal factors related to student factors. The study findings may be utilized to strengthen the role of clinical instructors, and to improve the quality of clinical education. </p> 2025-06-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences) https://www.nursearcher.com/index.php/nrs/article/view/165 The Impact of Nurses Clinical Decisions on Patient Safety and Quality of Care 2025-07-03T11:32:55+00:00 Zobia Parveen 1@gmail.com Abida Zahoor 2@gmail.com Bilqees Anjum 3@gmail.com Abida Perveen 5@gmail.com Smer Yasmeen 6@gmail.com Amir Sultan amirsultan204@gmail.com Usama Siddique 5@gmail.com <p>Patient safety (PS) and quality of care are central to healthcare delivery, with clinical decisions playing a pivotal role in influencing outcomes. <strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the impact of clinical decisions on PS culture and the quality of care in tertiary care hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and to identify key predictors influencing these outcomes. <strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January to April 2025 in three tertiary care hospitals of KPK. A total of 384 participants (192 healthcare providers and 192 patients) were enrolled. PS culture was assessed using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC), and patient satisfaction was evaluated using the PSQ-18. An audit of 450 clinical decisions was also conducted. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis using SPSS version 26.0. <strong>Results: </strong>Experienced staff (&gt;5 years) reported significantly higher PS scores (3.96 ± 0.49, <em>p</em>&lt;0.001). ICU/Emergency Departments had higher safety perceptions compared to medical and surgical units (<em>p</em>=0.041). Teamwork climate (4.15 ± 0.47) and supervisor expectations (3.96 ± 0.59) were rated highest among safety dimensions. Guideline non-adherence was significantly associated with adverse events (12.3% vs. 4.5%, <em>p</em>=0.018). Teamwork score (OR: 1.78) and experience (OR: 2.33) emerged as strong predictors of high safety culture. <strong>Conclusions: </strong>It was concluded that clinical decisions significantly affect PS and quality of care. Enhancing teamwork and experience-based leadership can strengthen safety culture, reduce adverse events, and improve patient satisfaction.</p> 2025-06-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2025 NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences)