Effect of Postoperative Holistic Nursing Care on Children's Satisfaction and Nursing Image Perception

This study is designed as a single-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of postoperative holistic nursing care on children's satisfaction with care and their perception of nursing image. The study will be conducted in the Pediatric Surgery Clinic of Antalya Training and Research Hospital.

The target population consists of children aged 8-11 years who are hospitalized for surgical procedures. A total of 70 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=35) or the control group (n=35). Randomization will be performed using an appropriate random allocation method to ensure equal distribution between groups.

All participants will receive routine postoperative nursing care according to institutional standards. In addition to routine care, children in the intervention group will receive a structured holistic nursing intervention consisting of mandala coloring accompanied by music during the postoperative period. This intervention is designed to promote emotional expression, relaxation, and active participation in the care process. The activity will be implemented in a safe and supervised clinical environment.

Data will be collected using the Child Information Form, the Pediatric Surgery Patient Satisfaction Scale, and the Perceived Nursing Image Scale for Children. These instruments are validated tools used to assess satisfaction with nursing care and children's perception of the nursing profession. Outcome measurements will be obtained during the postoperative hospitalization period prior to discharge.

The primary outcomes of the study are (1) children's satisfaction with nursing care and (2) perceived nursing image scores. The study hypothesizes that children who receive holistic nursing care will report higher satisfaction levels and more positive perceptions of nursing compared to the control group.

This research aims to contribute to evidence-based pediatric surgical nursing practice by evaluating the effectiveness of holistic, non-pharmacological supportive care interventions in improving children's hospital experiences.

Participants in this group will receive routine postoperative nursing care in addition to a structured holistic nursing intervention consisting of mandala coloring accompanied by music during the postoperative period.

Behavioral: Mandala Coloring with Music

Participants in this group will receive routine postoperative nursing care according to institutional standards without additional holistic intervention.

Other: Routine Postoperative Nursing Care

A structured holistic nursing intervention consisting of mandala coloring accompanied by music implemented during the postoperative hospitalization period.

Standard postoperative nursing care provided in the pediatric surgery clinic according to institutional protocols.

Plazo: During postoperative hospitalization (prior to discharge, approximately 1-3 days after surgery)

Satisfaction scores measured using the Pediatric Surgery Patient Satisfaction Scale administered during the postoperative hospitalization period prior to discharge.

Children's satisfaction with nursing care will be assessed using the Pediatric Surgery Patient Satisfaction Scale developed by Ünal et al. (2023). In this study, the Postoperative Care subdimension of the scale will be used. This subdimension consists of 5 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always).

Total scores range from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating higher satisfaction with nursing care.

Plazo: During postoperative hospitalization (prior to discharge, approximately 1-3 days after surgery)

Perceived nursing image scores measured using the Children's Perceived Nursing Image Scale during the postoperative hospitalization period prior to discharge.

Children's perceptions of nursing will be assessed using the Children's Perceived Nursing Image Scale, developed by Apaydın Cırık et al. (2025). The scale evaluates children's perceptions of nurses' professional roles, communication, caregiving behaviors, and nurse-child interactions.

Items are rated on a Likert-type scale, and the total score is calculated by summing item scores. Higher scores indicate a more positive perception of the nursing image.

Effect of Postoperative Holistic Nursing Care on Children's Satisfaction and Perception of the Nursing Profession: A Randomized Controlled Trial