Background This study aimed to map and summarise the state of the research regarding doctoral programs in nursing, as well as the issues debated in the context of nursing doctoral education. A Scoping Review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension scoping reviews statement (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. Three electronic bibliographic data bases were searched: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete, Medline (on EBSCO Host) and SCOPUS to identify empirical studies published between January 2009 and December 2019. The review process was based on framework identified by Arksey and O’Malley and further revised by Levac and colleagues. Analysis was performed with the use of the Donabedian framework regarding the structure of the doctorate programmes, the process, and the outcomes. Results The review included 41 articles, mostly originating in the United States (n=26) and Europe (n=8), mainly by collecting the perceptions of students and faculty members with descriptive studies. The following issues were investigated at the (a) structure level: Prerequisite for doctoral candidates, Qualifications of faculty members, Mission of doctoral programs; (b) process level: Doctoral programs contents, Doctoral programs resources and quality, Mentoring and supervision, Doing doctorate abroad; and (c) outcome level: Academic performance outcomes in doctoral programs, Doctoral graduates’ competences, Doctoral students/graduates’ satisfaction, Doctoral graduates’ challenges. Conclusions Doctoral programs have mainly been investigated to date with descriptive studies, suggesting more robust research investigating the effectiveness of strategies to prepare future scientists in the nursing discipline. Doctorates are different across countries, and there is no visible cooperation of scholars internationally; their structure and processes have been reported to be stable over the years, thus not following the research development in nursing, discipline and practice expectations. Moreover, no clear framework of outcomes in the short- and long-term have been established to date to measure the quality and effectiveness of doctorate education. National and global strategies might establish common structure, process and outcome frameworks, as well as promote robust studies that are capable of assessing the effectiveness of this field of education.

The family situation of seniors affected the level of quality of life. Living with their relatives may be expected to be favourable for seniors because it translates into better performance in physical, psychological and social domains. Loneliness, which frequently accompanies old age, leads to the deterioration of the quality of life.

Introduction. Vaccinations against varicella and pneumococcal infection are an important form of prevention of infectious diseases and their possible complications. Aim. Assessment of the vaccination control of children against varicella, and pneumococcal infection based on selected institutions of family practice physician. Material and methods. There were verified 807 immunization cards of children from three vaccination offices, selected at random from the area of the southeastern Poland, i.e. the provinces of Lubelskie, Podkarpackie and Świętokrzyskie. Based on the results of quantitative analysis of medical records of vaccination carried out in these institutions through 2007-2012, the number of children vaccinated against varicella, and pneumococcal infection was assessed.Results. The largest number of vaccinated children (against pneumococcal infection -148 children and 84 against varicella among 335 subjects reporting in the facility) was confirmed in health care unit in Lublin. In health care unit in Podkarpackie the number of vaccinated children against pneumococcal infection was 84 and against chicken pox -52 among 256 children using the medical services. In health care unit in Świętokrzyskie, 65 children were vaccinated against pneumococcal infection and 34 against varicella among 216 subjects reporting at the institution. The vast majority of these vaccines (431 -including three centers) was paid by parents.Conclusions. 1. In all of the centers, a higher proportion of children was vaccinated against pneumococcal infection than chickenpox. 2. There was not a marked increase in the number of children vaccinated against varicella and pneumococcal infection during the analyzed period.

Introduction. Undoubtedly, the renal replacement therapy is stressful situation for the patients with chronic renal failure. Chronic disease limits and prevents meeting the psychosocial needs. It often causes the frustration, to which patients react in different ways.Aim of the Study. Purpose of the research was to investigate patients’ expectations for the support and to define the support given by nurses.Material and Methodology. One hyndred chronic renal failure patients were examined on the basis of an author’s questionnaire survey. Results were subjected to statistical analysis. Homogeneity test was used for unrelated quality characteristics to detect the existence of differences between compared groups.Results. Most of patients expected the support first from their families (39%), next from doctors and nurses. Almost everybody (95.0%) Experienced emotional support from nurses during every hemodialysis.Conclusions. The research shows that patients during stress expect a conversation and almost all of them accept the attitude of empathy. Those who received information support felt less stressed.

Introduction. Patient with chronic renal failure and in need of renal replacement therapy is exposed to stress. The chronic disease reduces or even prevents meeting the psychosocial needs. There are also many other factors which intensify the stress. Their identification is an important element of finding remedies and giving effective support to patients.Aim. The aim of an article is to find causes of dialyzed patients’ stress.Material and methods. There were examined 100 patients suffering from renal failures, using a questionnaire survey designed by the authors. The findings were analyzed statistically. A homogeneity test looking at unrelated quality characteristics was used for checking whether there were any differences between compared groups of patients.Results. Seventy-four percent of patients pointed to the fact that they were stressed by the new situation. The necessity of altering their lifestyle was mentioned by 84% of respondents. Almost a half of patients (41%) had to quit their jobs. Almost one out of three felt discriminated by the society against their renal replacement therapy.Conclusions. The findings of this research suggest that renal replacement therapy can become a direct source of stress among patients. Moreover, patients feel stressed because of necessity of changing their lifestyles and giving up their jobs. There is a relationship between the attitude of the closest people and patients’ needs for support.