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This article provides an overview of the wound healing process, outlining the four distinct phases of the healing cascade: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. The different types of closure method are described and, specifically, the various types of surgical suture that can be used for wound closure, as well as the strengths and limitations of each. The article explains aspects of patient care that need to be considered such as obtaining informed consent, and the importance of nurses maintaining appropriate clinical skills. It concludes with a step-by-step outline of best practice on how to remove sutures.

Urinary catheterisation is a crucial procedure in healthcare, requiring a thorough understanding of the anatomical and physiological differences between males and females to ensure safe and effective care. This guide explores the anatomy of the urinary system, detailing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, and highlights key differences in catheterisation techniques for men and women. Emphasising evidence-based practices, it discusses recent advancements, such as antimicrobial catheters, and underscores the importance of comprehensive training and competency assessments for healthcare providers. Additionally, the guide advocates for patient-centred approaches, multidisciplinary collaboration, and adherence to updated policies to reduce complications such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). By integrating these critical evaluations and best practices, health professionals can enhance patient outcomes and maintain high standards of care in urinary catheterisation.

This article reports on a study that evaluated an innovative 6-week summer returners' programme, part of the Health Education England RePAIR project, designed to support nursing students who have interrupted their studies. Held from May to July 2022, the programme addressed diverse needs through academic guidance, mental health and resilience workshops, creative arts, professional identity development, and practical nursing skills training. The programme ran alongside support from the programme team, student engagement services, and ongoing communication via phone and email. Despite non-mandatory sessions leading to varying attendance, the combined efforts facilitated the return of 67 out of 135 interrupted students. Thematic analysis identified four key themes: anticipation and fear, making contact and reaching out, preparing for return, and psychological wellbeing. The programme's effectiveness underscores the necessity of tailored support strategies to enhance retention and wellbeing. This innovative approach highlights the importance of personalised support in aiding nursing students' return to education and addressing nursing workforce shortages.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential in nursing practice to safeguard patient health and reduce healthcare-associated infections. This article explores IPC strategies, including hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, safe injection practices, and antimicrobial stewardship. It discusses the implementation challenges and solutions, such as ensuring compliance through education, monitoring and strong leadership. IPC measures are crucial in preventing infections such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. By integrating personalised IPC strategies into nursing practice, healthcare providers can significantly improve infection control outcomes and enhance overall patient safety and quality of care.

Management of hard-to-heal wounds remains a significant challenge for healthcare systems, with substantial economic burdens. Maggot debridement therapy, using sterile larvae of Lucilia sericata , effectively debrides necrotic tissue and promotes healing, yet its use is limited. This narrative review examines the influences on the use of this form of debridement by registered nurses, focusing on knowledge and attitudes, treatment-related pain, and practical issues. Findings indicate that wound specialist nurses are more knowledgeable and supportive of maggot debridement therapy compared with non-wound specialists, underscoring the need for targeted educational interventions. Pain management is critical, with mixed reports on pain levels, highlighting the necessity for tailored pain-relief strategies. Practical challenges include procurement difficulties and cost, suggesting a need for streamlined processes and clear clinical guidelines. Addressing these barriers through education, research, and improved logistics could enhance the acceptance and use of maggot debridement therapy, improving patient outcomes in wound management.

Background: Nursing students often face anxiety and cognitive overload, leading to high attrition rates; meanwhile, traditional pastoral interventions have proved insufficient. A novel, digitally enhanced learning environment named The Wellbeing in Student Education (WISE) Room, was introduced as an alternative at a UK university., Aims: This study investigated the impact of The WISE Room, a 4m × 4m digital platform containing touch-interactive walls, co-created with students and academic staff, designed to promote insight through immersive experiences beyond traditional learning settings., Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, collecting data from nursing students, healthcare staff and academic faculty. Data were collected at three stages, each corresponding with the iterative development of The WISE Room, including an evaluation of the intervention., Results: Feedback from 240 participants was positive. In Phase 2 of the study, 93% of the 79 students and 21 staff who visited the room and completed a survey were satisfied with the room's suitability in three key areas: emotional wellbeing, academic readiness, and placement preparedness., Conclusion: The WISE Room has proved effective in supporting nursing students' wellbeing, and educational and placement preparation requirements. Its multisensory, digital and experiential nature is beneficial for students throughout their learner journey. Additional trials and content development will be required to enhance the learning and teaching experience further.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the wound healing process, emphasising the critical role of surgical staples in primary intention healing. It outlines the four distinct phases of wound healing including haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation - and discusses the mechanisms by which surgical staples enhance this natural biological process. Special focus is given to the aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT), which is crucial in preventing infections during the staple removal procedure. The article further explores the procedural steps involved in the removal of surgical staples and highlights the holistic aspects of patient care that need to be considered. This includes strategies for effective pain management, ensuring informed consent, and maintaining a sterile environment. By integrating clinical skills with a thorough understanding of wound care, this article aims to improve nursing practices in surgical settings, promoting better patient outcomes and recovery.

Diabetic foot ulceration affects up to 34% of the global diabetic population as a result of poor glycaemic control. Complications resulting from diabetic foot ulceration can be complex, expensive and challenging. It is important for risk factors to be recognised early and for regular assessment to take place. Streamlining a coordinated approach that enhances communication and guides treatment approaches can help to improve wound outcomes.

This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke and migraine. For each condition, the article highlights key changes that occur in the brain and how these changes contribute to the development and progression of the condition.

The vascular system, also called the circulatory system, is made up of the vessels that carry blood and lymph fluid through the body. The arteries and veins carry blood all over the body, sending oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues and taking away waste materials. This is a complex system in the body and can be affected by diseases with different pathogenic mechanisms. This article describes the pathophysiology of the main diseases of arteries and the venous system.

This article aims to explore the complexity of student nurse relationships with adolescent patients when placing nasogastric tubes. The potential inter-connectiveness of this relationship is debated within this article and an evaluation of current practice identifies potential implications for both patients and nursing care.

This article provides a brief overview of transanal irrigation (TAI). It covers the rationale behind the procedure, the contraindications, possible complications and considerations for patient education and support.

This article explores body temperature and the physiological process of thermoregulation. Normal body temperature and body temperature changes are discussed, including comorbidities associated with body temperature and signs of hyperthermia and hypothermia, and the factors that affect intraoperative temperature regulation. The evidence base behind thermometry is discussed and is applied to contemporary clinical conditions and symptoms, including: sepsis and suspected COVID-19. After discussing clinical considerations and regulations that encompass thermometry, three case studies present the use of the Genius 3 Tympanic Thermometer in clinical practice, with user feedback supporting its benefits, which include speed, accuracy and ease of use.

Patients who present with acute cardiovascular compromise require haemodynamic monitoring in a critical care unit. Central venous pressure (CVP) is the most frequently used measure to guide fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients. It is most often done via a central venous catheter (CVC) positioned in the right atrium or superior or inferior vena cava as close to the right atrium as possible. The CVC is inserted via the internal jugular vein, subclavian vein or via the femoral vein, depending on the patient and their condition. Complications of CVC placement can be serious, so its risks and benefits need to be considered. Alternative methods to CVC use include transpulmonary thermodilution and transoesophageal Doppler ultrasound. Despite its widespread use, CVP has been challenged in many studies, which have reported it to be a poor predictor of haemodynamic responsiveness. However, it is argued that CVP monitoring provides important physiologic information for the evaluation of haemodynamic instability. Nurses have central roles during catheter insertion and in CVP monitoring, as well as in managing these patients and assessing risks.

Barry Hill and Aby Mitchell introduce a new series on advanced level practice. They describe the frameworks that outline advanced practitioner roles and explain how the roles affect patients, services and organisations.

Several diseases and operations may necessitate the need for the formation of a stoma. Patients who are affected may be concerned about the effect of the stoma on their ability to carry out activities of daily living, as well as how it will affect their quality of life. Nurses who may be involved in the care of patients with a stoma should have an understanding of the reasons for stoma formation, and the types of stoma and appliances available, to enable them educate and support patients, and to allay any concerns.

This article explains the importance of temperature monitoring observations and highlights that the procedure is a fundamental aspect of nursing care. It discusses the physiology of temperature regulation, introduces different types of temperature monitoring devices and provides a step-by-step guide on how to take a temperature using a tympanic thermometer. It emphasises the importance of evidence-based practice to underpin temperature monitoring, as well as conditions that it is important for nurses to consider when recording patients' temperatures.

The revised Nursing and Midwifery Council education curriculum, which came into force in January, has the potential to revolutionise nursing, says Barry Hill, Senior Lecturer, Northumbria University ( barry.hill@northumbria.ac.uk ).

Michelle Mitchell, Graduate Tutor for Adult Nursing, Northumbria University, michelle3.mitchell@northumbria.ac.uk and Barry Hill, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, Northumbria University, describe the different catheterisation needs of men and women and the procedures to follow.

Barry HIll, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at Northumbria University ( barry.hill@northumbria.ac.uk ), and Michelle Mitchell, Graduate Tutor for Adult Nursing at Northumbria University, discuss the reasons for urinary catheterisation, the different types of catheter and the potential problems patients need to be aware of.

Trauma to the brain from injury or illness can cause sustained, raised intracranial pressure. In such patients, neurological observations are a fundamental aspect of nursing care and the ability to make and record such observations accurately is an essential nursing skill. Neurological observations are a collection of information on the function and integrity of a patient's central nervous system-the brain and and spinal cord. This article will discuss the tools used in their observation, including the Glasgow Coma Scale tool, pupillary response, and limb power observations, and provide a 'how-to' guide on neurological observations.