Unfinished nursing care is scarcely studied in nursing homes.

Unfinished care was related to social care and documentation of care.

An average of 7.3 nursing care activities out of 20 were unfinished.

The main reason for unfinished nursing care was insufficient resources.

This study aimed to describe unfinished nursing care activities in nursing homes. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey and employed the BERNCA-NH-instrument and one open-ended question. The participants were care workers (n=486) in nursing homes. The results showed that an average of 7.3 nursing care activities out of 20 were unfinished. A large share of the unfinished activities were related to residents’ social care and the documentation of care. Female gender, age, and the amount of professional experience were found to increase the likelihood of unfinished nursing care. The unfinished care was the result of insufficient resources, residents’ characteristics, unexpected situations, non-nursing activities, and challenges in organizing and leading care. The results indicate that all of the necessary care activities are not performed in nursing homes. Unfinished nursing activities might affect residents’ quality of life and diminish the visibility of nursing care. Nursing home leaders have a significant role to play in decreasing unfinished care. Future research should address how to reduce and prevent unfinished nursing care.

Care worker

Long-term care

Nursing home

Unfinished nursing care

© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.