Missed Nursing Care in Paediatric Surgical Settings in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to describe specific missed nursing care (MNC) practices among paediatric surgical unit nurses in Türkiye and to explore descriptive differences and bivariate associations according to nurses' demographic and work-related characteristics.

MNC adversely affects patient safety and care quality. Although widely studied in various clinical settings, evidence from paediatric surgical units, where care is complex and specialized, remains limited.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted.

Data were collected from a nonprobability voluntary-response sample of 242 nurses working in paediatric surgical units between April and August 2024 using a structured questionnaire consisting of a demographic form and the adapted MISSCARE Survey. Participants were recruited through a professional association's social media network. Descriptive and exploratory bivariate statistical analyses were performed.

Most frequently missed practices included promoting neurodevelopment (82.2%), nonpharmacological anxiety management (79%) and oral care (73.6%). Primary reported reasons for MNC were nurse shortages (42.1%) and increased patient load (40.5%). The primary reported reasons for MNC were nurse shortages (42.1%) and increased patient load (40.5%). Exploratory bivariate analyses showed statistically significant differences in MNC scores according to age, professional experience (p < 0.001), overtime work and job satisfaction (p < 0.05).

Organizational challenges-chiefly staffing shortages, increased workload and communication gaps-were the most prominent reported reasons for MNC; targeted organizational interventions and confirmatory research using representative samples are warranted.