Year: 2025
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: AIM: To synthesise evidence on nurses' roles in long-term care settings and map their interactions. DESIGN: Systematic review with network analysis. METHODS: Thematic synthesis was used to identify nurses' roles, and network analysis mapped their interactions across domains. DATA SOURCES: Six databases-Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Research Information Sharing Service and Database of Periodical Information Academic-were searched for peer-reviewed articles from 2014 to 2024. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool assessed study quality. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. Nurses' roles spanned six domains: collaboration, education, leadership, resident-centred care, quality improvement and resource management. Network analysis revealed collaboration and leadership as the most central, each with a degree centrality of five, acting as bridges across domains. Three thematic clusters emerged: collaboration and resource management focused on operational teamwork; leadership and quality improvement centred on systemic care enhancements; and education and resident-centered care emphasised training and resident-focused care. A technological competence gap was identified, alongside barriers like staffing shortages and role ambiguity. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses' interconnected roles are critical for resident-centered care; however, they require systemic support to address barriers and technological gaps. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Enhanced interprofessional training, leadership development and digital skill integration can improve care quality and nurse well-being in long-term care settings. IMPACT: This study addressed the complexity of nurses' roles in long-term care and their structural interactions, finding collaboration and leadership as pivotal with three role clusters and a technological gap, impacting long-term care nurses, educators and policymakers to inform workforce strategies. REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42024588422). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42024588422.
Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing
DOI: 10.1111/jan.70242
Authors: Kyong Hee Park, Hye‐Ryoung Kim
Institution: Shinhan University
Language: English
Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,450
OpenAlex ID: W4414486102