A Year of Growth and Reflection at the Journal of Nursing Science and Professional Practice

Welcome to the fourth issue of the Journal of Nursing Science and Professional Practice (JNSPP). I am excited and proud to share this milestone with you! The end of a year provides an excellent opportunity for reflection, review, and forward planning. And for us at JNSPP, what a year it has been! Two years ago, we brought together a small development team to scope the need for a scientific nursing journal. We began the process from scratch, carefully defining the Journal’s purpose, aims, objectives, mission, vision, and values. We thoroughly reviewed other journals and debated and refined various aspects of our journal’s framework. With bold determination, we engaged a stellar editorial board, which we successfully achieved. Finally, after much discussion, we focused on selecting the right name that would embody both the art and science of nursing. Thus, The JNSPP was born. Nearly a year later, JNSPP has kept its commitments by publishing high-quality manuscripts from nurses around the globe. We have provided a platform for voices in regions that are underrepresented in academic and scientific discourse. Nurses at all levels have found a home within JNSPP to showcase their scholarly work. We have also welcomed new members to our editorial and peer review boards. Most importantly, as you’ll see in this issue, there is consistency between the content we have published and the critical issues facing our profession. It is a testament to the quality of our work that influential voices in health care and nursing have contributed their expertise to advance our mission. In late 2023, the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Jeddah hosted its 10th International Nursing Symposium, themed Nurses as Catalysts, Innovators, and Navigators in Healthcare. Over 3 days, invited thought leaders collaborated on identifying key professional challenges and strategies to address them. The outputs from this work are featured in this issue. In mid-2024, we had the honor of speaking with Howard Catton, Chief Executive of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), about his vision for nursing and the work that ICN and other organizations are doing to ensure that nursing not only has a voice but also a seat at the decision-making tables of health care. A summary of this powerful interview will be included in the first issue of the new year. Remarkably, there is a great synergy between the themes of that interview and the outcomes of the thought-leadership discussions, which reinforces my confidence in the relevance, consistency, and timeliness of our work at JNSPP. From the outset of our journal’s development, we committed to making nurse wellness and well-being a consistent feature in every issue. This topic continues to be a central focus, as reflected in our Guest Editorial and research content in this issue. The lasting impact of the pandemic on nursing serves as a poignant reminder that we must prioritize our nurses’ well-being to prevent burnout and ensure sustainability in our workforce. Also featured in this issue is a focus on public health, including JAPA Syndrome among nurses and the relationship between Type 2 diabetes and quality of life in Nigeria. This demonstrates that our journal addresses not only nursing practice but also broader health concerns. Looking ahead to 2025, I feel an overwhelming sense of optimism about our profession. Alongside ongoing concerns such as workforce preparation, supply and demand, and the provision of universal health care, I believe the coming year will spotlight themes such as technology and innovation (including artificial intelligence), employee wellness and engagement, sustainability, humanitarianism, and collaboration. I predict that the JNSPP will continue to grow from strength to strength as we engage with these crucial topics. Thank you for joining us on this journey. To those of you who contributed manuscripts, thank you for trusting us with your work. The editorial board and I deeply appreciate your confidence in us. Here is to another year of excellence and global collaboration in nursing!