Experienced Nurse Researcher and Teacher working as an Assistant Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry in Europe and the US. Skilled in Clinical Research and Health Education. Strong research professional with a Doctor of Health Sciences degree focused on Nursing Science from the University of Eastern Finland. Passionate about Science, Statistics, Evidence-Based Nursing, Patient & Family-Centered Care in Critical Care, Student-Centered Learning, and Good Research Practice. Clinically working as a Nurse Anesthetist. @Sigma and @INS member. Cited in ERC guidelines '21
EDUCATION
BSN, MSN - Medical University of Warsaw
PhD - University of Eastern Finland
Anesthesia and Intensive Care Nursing Specialist - Medical University of Warsaw
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Issues, ethics and legal aspects
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Translation, Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Transformational Leadership Scale in Intensive Care Unit Nurses: Empirical Research Quantitative Katarzyna Lis, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Bożena Czarkowska‐Pączek Nursing Open, 2026 Background Transformational leadership, based on inspiration, motivation and trust‐building within teams, is considered one of the most effective management styles in healthcare. In nursing, transformational leadership promotes open communication, interdisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of preventive measures, which directly impact the quality of care and reduce medical errors. Aim(s) The aim of this study was to apply the Transformational Leadership Scale to the Polish cultural context and to evaluate its psychometric properties among intensive care nurses. Methods A cross‐sectional, descriptive study was conducted to perform the cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Transformational Leadership Scale. The study included 433 nurses working in adult intensive care units in Poland, recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected between March and November 2022. The survey consisted of three parts: (1) general information, (2) the Transformational Leadership Scale and (3) socio‐demographic data. The questionnaire comprised 54 items, divided into two main sections concerning: (1) the immediate supervisor (43 items) and (2) the Director of Nursing (9 items). Responses were recorded using a 5‐point Likert scale. The questionnaire was translated using a forward–backward translation procedure with a monolingual test. Content validity was assessed by experts using the item‐level (I‐CVI) and scale‐level (S‐CVI) content validity indices. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to assess model fit. Reliability was assessed using McDonald's ω , Cronbach's α and composite reliability (CR), while convergent validity was examined using the average variance extracted (AVE). Results Items in the I‐CVI ranged from 0.75 to 1, and the mean score for the S‐CVI was 0.944. CFA confirmed that the five‐factor model with 54 items demonstrated a good fit to the data. The analysis confirmed the high reliability of the subscales (McDonald's ω = 0.935 to 0.971, Cronbach's α = 0.934 to 0.971, CR = 0.924 to 0.980) and convergent validity (AVE = 0.639 to 0.799). Conclusion The Transformational Leadership Scale is a valid, reliable and culturally adapted instrument for measuring transformational leadership among Polish intensive care nurses. Implications for the Profession The application of the Transformational Leadership Scale may be valuable for designing and implementing appropriate management strategies to support the development of a transformational leadership style in nursing. Impact (Addressing) What problem did the study address? There is no psychometrically correct tool for assessing Transformational Leadership in Poland. What were the main findings? The Transformational Leadership Scale is a psychometrically valid tool for critical care nursing. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The results provide a psychometrically correct tool for the assessment of transformational leadership in the environment of critical care nurses in Poland and will complement the knowledge in the country and abroad in the area of transformational leadership. Reporting Method The manuscript's authors have adhered to the EQUATOR guidelines, using the STROBE reporting guidelines. No Patient or Public Contribution Patients or members of the public were not involved in this study.
Evaluation of the Validity, Reliability and Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Medication Safety Scale Among Intensive Care Nurses Katarzyna Lis, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Bożena Czarkowska‐Pączek International Journal of Nursing Practice, 2026 Aim This study was conducted to evaluate the validity, reliability and psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Medication Safety Scale among intensive care nurses. Design This is a methodological and psychometric study. Background Healthcare environments are particularly prone to medication errors, making it crucial to implement strategies to prevent them. Methods The study group included 341 nurses working in adult critical care in Poland. Data were collected from March to November 2022 using convenience sampling. The scale included a total of 45 items divided into five factors (working conditions, individual factors, systemic factors, drug administration and drug knowledge). Single‐choice response options were structured using a 5‐point Likert scale. A forward–backward translation process with monolingual testing was conducted. Psychometric validity was then assessed: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the questionnaire's structure, with diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) used as the estimation method. Subscale reliability was assessed using McDonald's ω, Cronbach's α and composite reliability (CR). Convergent validity was examined using the average variance extracted (AVE). Results Factor analysis confirmed that the five‐factor model was suitable for the data. The analysis confirmed the reliability of the subscales (McDonald's ω = 0.910 to 0.946, Cronbach's α = 0.907 to 0.943, CR = 0.931 to 0.965) and convergent accuracy (AVE = 0.538 to 0.932). Conclusions The Polish version of the Medication Safety Scale can be applied as a valid and reliable measurement instrument for assessing medication safety among intensive care nurses.
The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Individualised Care Provision in Intensive Care Units: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Tarja Kvist, Bożena Czarkowska‐Pączek Nursing in Critical Care, 2026 Background Individualised care, a key element of person‐centred care, requires tailoring nursing interventions to patients' unique needs and preferences. In intensive care units (ICUs), this approach is challenged by technical environments and limited patient communication. Evidence suggests that nurses' ability to deliver such care may depend on workplace conditions and job satisfaction; however, the mechanisms linking specific satisfaction factors with individualised care provision remain unclear. Aim To examine the relationship between job satisfaction and the provision of individualised care among critical care nurses, testing whether different job satisfaction factors impact the practical application of person‐centred care, that is: two dimensions of individualised care: (1) nursing activities supporting patient individuality and (2) nurses' perceptions of maintaining individuality in the care provided. Study Design A secondary analysis was performed using data from a cross‐sectional survey of 306 registered ICU nurses in Poland. Job satisfaction was measured with the Kuopio University Hospital Job Satisfaction Scale and individualised care with the Individualised Care Scale–Nurse. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Results The final model showed excellent fit ( χ 2 (4) = 2.63, p = 0.622; χ 2 /df = 0.66; CFI = 1.000; RMSEA < 0.001; SRMR = 0.009) and explained 48.6% of the variance in individualised care actions and 46.6% in perceptions. Higher self‐fulfilment, leadership, workplace autonomy and resource distribution were positively associated with individualised care activities, while professional development and motivating work organisation were negative predictors. Perceptions of maintaining individuality in care were positively influenced by self‐fulfilment, leadership and resource distribution and negatively by professional development. Conclusions Job satisfaction significantly shapes the delivery of individualised care in ICUs. Supportive leadership, professional fulfilment and fair resource allocation promote person‐centred practice, whereas unmet expectations regarding professional development and organisational motivation may hinder it. Relevance to Clinical Practice Creating person‐centred work environments that enhance autonomy, recognition and meaningful professional growth can improve both nurse satisfaction and the quality of care.
Individualized Nursing Care and Its Predictors in Intensive Care Units: A Polish Perspective Natalia Sak-Dankosky, Katarzyna Lis, Tarja Kvist, Bożena Czarkowska-Pączek Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 2025 This article reports the results of a cross-sectional study aiming to assess how critical care nurses evaluate and support their patients’ individuality and to determine how it changes in relation to different predictors. Data were obtained through an online survey with the ICN-Nurse questionnaire which was administered to a sample of Polish nurses working in a critical care setting. Data analysis included factor analysis, descriptive statistics, and linear model building. The levels of nurses’ views on how they support their patients’ individuality and for the way nurses perceive the maintenance of patients’ individuality were moderate. The significant predictors for higher scores in both outcome measures included fewer years of experience in current unit, higher evaluations of care quality, and greater job satisfaction. Even though individualized care in critical care has been globally recommended, there are still places where it has not been implemented. This study several factors related to work organization and nurse characteristics that may explain why this approach to care remains underutilized. Based on the results, nurses can reflect on how they support the individuality of their patient, as well as acknowledge and address possible barriers to this approach.
Parents' perceptions of patient safety in paediatric hospital care—A mixed-methods systematic review Maria I. Witkowska, Katja Janhunen, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Tarja Kvist Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2025 Aim(s)To identify and summarize evidence on paediatric patient safety in a hospital setting from parents' point of view.DesignA mixed‐methods systematic review.Prospero IDID number CRD42023453626.Data SourcesPubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library and the Wiley database were searched in July 2023.Review MethodsTwo researchers independently applied eligibility criteria, selected studies and conducted a quality appraisal. Data‐based convergent synthesis and thematic content analysis were employed.ResultsTwelve studies were included: eight qualitative research studies, two cross‐sectional studies, one non‐randomized experimental study and one mixed‐methods study. The results were grouped into two themes—parental perceptions of inclusion in paediatric patient safety and parental perceptions of exclusion from paediatric patient safety—and comprised seven main subthemes: comfort in communication, parental engagement, communication difficulties, withdrawal from activity, uncertainty about available information and threats to patient safety.ConclusionsParents are willing to be engaged in care but require support from healthcare professionals, as they are often anxious about the condition of their children and actions they believe might be helpful. They need to be treated as valuable partners and be engaged in communication and decision processes.ImpactThe development and implementation of interventions involving parents in ensuring the safety of hospitalized paediatric patients should be of the utmost priority to healthcare organizations, as the common theme throughout the included studies was the need for improved communication with and recognition of parents as allies.Reporting MethodThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) checklist was followed.Patient or Public ContributionNo Patient or Public Contribution.
Spiritual interventions: Improving the lives of colorectal cancer survivors—A systematic literature review Calixtus Abiodun Okere, Tarja Kvist, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Victor Yerris Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2024 AimTo systematically review the types of spiritual interventions available for colorectal cancer survivors and determine if they improve their lives.DesignSystematic review.Data SourceA thorough literature search was conducted in July 2023 using PRIMO, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE.Review MethodsAs an extension of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) checklist, the Synthesis Without Meta‐Analysis reporting guideline was employed. A narrative synthesis was used to analyse the data.ResultsThirty‐five articles were analysed for this study. The findings suggest that psychoeducational intervention, cognitive behavioural therapy intervention, mindfulness intervention, social intervention, and spiritual counselling improved CRC survivor's coping skills, boosted self‐esteem, lessened anxiety, instilled hope, enhanced daily functioning, improved survival rates, improved neurological functional status and quality of life (QoL).ConclusionThere is proof that spiritual interventions help CRC patients and improve their QoL. It has been discovered that spiritual intervention is helpful in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of CRC conditions.ImpactCRC survivors may have impairments in their physical ability and daily functioning as a result of many symptoms, such as pain, bowel dysfunction, and exhaustion. Furthermore, individuals may encounter difficulties in several aspects of their psychological, emotional, social, and role functioning due to the presence of dread symptoms. Therefore, these study will help CRC survivors To implement spiritual interventions in the management of their long‐term care. To cultivate problem‐solving abilities, foster self‐assurance, and enhance self‐awareness. To alleviate symptoms, enhance everyday functioning, and improve QoL. No InducementNo financial incentives were used to compensate patients or members of the public for this review.
Determinants of critical care nurses’ job satisfaction: A cross-sectional study including cultural validation of Kuopio University Hospital Job Satisfaction Scale Natalia Sak-Dankosky, Lena Serafin, Tarja Kvist, Bożena Czarkowska-Pączek Pielegniarstwo Xxi Wieku, 2024 Aim. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of Polish critical care nurses’ job satisfaction and to verify the validity of Kuopio University Hospital Job Satisfaction Scale (KUHJSS) on sample of Polish critical care nurses. Material and methods. This is a cross-sectional study using online survey method. A convenience sample of 306 nurses working in ICUs in Poland was recruited between November 2020 and July 2021. Data analysis included factor analyses, descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression. Results. Nurses evaluated their job satisfaction as moderate. Those who did not complete a master’s degree, were not freelancers, liked their job, and rated the quality of care more highly had higher job satisfaction. The results revealed that KUHJSS adapted to the population of Polish critical care nurses has a diff erent structure from the original scale, and is a valid and reliable tool to measure job satisfaction among this population. Conclusions. The results support the statement that culturally dependent job characteristics impact job satisfaction levels. To improve nurses’ job satisfaction, it is important that their education refl ects actual tasks and promotes autonomy; the type of employment protects the employee; the working environment promotes person-centered approach and aff ects how nurses like their job; and the quality of care remins high. Key words: job satisfaction, intensive care, critical care nursing, working conditions
An integrative systematic review of nurses’ involvement in medication deprescription in long-term healthcare settings for older people Mojtaba Vaismoradi, Abbas Mardani, Manuel Lillo Crespo, Patricia A. Logan, Natalia Sak-Dankosky Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 2024 Background: Deprescription of medications for older people in long-term care settings is crucial to enhance medication safety by reducing polypharmacy and minimizing related adverse events. Nurses as the member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team can support deprescription initiatives, but there is a gap in comprehensive knowledge about their roles. Objectives: To investigate the role and contribution of nurses in deprescribing medications within the multidisciplinary pharmaceutical care context of long-term healthcare for older people. Design: A systematic review utilizing an integrative approach was performed. Methods: Multiple databases were searched, including PubMed (covering MEDLINE), Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest and Embase, focusing on studies published in English from 2014 to 2024. The preliminary search yielded 4872 studies, which were then refined to 32 qualitative and quantitative studies chosen for data analysis and narrative synthesis. Thematic comparisons and analysis led to the creation of meaningful categories integrating the studies’ findings to meet the review’s objective. Results: The review findings were classified into categories: ‘necessity and benefits of deprescribing’, ‘multidisciplinary collaboration for deprescribing’, ‘nurse role in deprescribing’, ‘identified challenges to deprescribing’, ‘involvement of older people and families in deprescribing’. They illustrated and exemplified various aspects of nurses’ roles and contributions in deprescription initiatives within the multidisciplinary pharmaceutical care team, such as support for reducing doses, discontinuing medications or transitioning to safer alternatives, as well as factors influencing this process. Conclusion: The main dimensions of nurses’ roles and contributions in deprescription initiatives encompass monitoring, communicating and educating. Challenges to nurses’ active participation in deprescribing, such as the need for increased knowledge, confidence and inclusion in team discussions, should be addressed through education, training and changing attitudes. These steps are essential for improving the safety of medication deprescribing in long-term care settings. Trial registration: The review was registered under PROSPERO ID: CRD42023486484, and can be accessed at crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=486484
Influence of perceived benefits, barriers and activities of family engagement in care on family nursing practice: A cross-sectional correlational study Frank Kiwanuka, Rose Clarke Nanyonga, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Tarja Kvist Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2023 AimsTo describe nurses' perceptions of family nursing practice and to explore the influence of their perceptions of the benefits, barriers and activities of family engagement in care on family nursing practice.DesignA cross‐sectional correlational study.MethodsIn total, 460 nurses from two tertiary hospitals in the central region of Uganda participated. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected between August 2020 and January 2021 using the Family Nursing Practice Scale. Analyses included descriptive statistics, t‐test, Pearson correlation, analysis of variance and ordinal logistics regression. Quantitative content analysis was carried out on the textual data.ResultsNurses who perceived that family engagement in care improves patient and family outcomes were more likely to rate family nursing practice highly. Perceived barriers to family engagement in care particularly time constraints, work overload and family‐related conflicts have a negative and significant influence on family nursing practice. Nurse characteristics such as education, usual shift pattern and personal experience of having a family member in hospital are significantly associated with family nursing practice; nurses who work morning shifts were likely to report higher family nursing practice.ConclusionThe study reveals that several parameters (perceived barriers, perceived benefits and nurse characteristics) influence nursing practice with families. Thus, bearing in mind the diversity of healthcare contexts, the findings show that multiple interacting factors are important for advancing family nursing interventions and practice.ImpactProbabilistic factor‐specific predictions of nursing practice with families are provided in this study – this addresses a gap in the evidence regarding the elements that should be optimized when designing well‐informed policies and interventions to advance family nursing practice. A comparison of results in the literature with the present study's findings suggests a need to broaden the scope and context perspective in future research and broaden the understanding of how nurses´ perceptions influence family engagement in care.Reporting methodThe study adheres to the STROBE reporting guidelines.Patient or public contributionFamily members/caregivers were involved in the design of the study particularly in assessment of validation of the tools used in the study.
