The Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, the official journal of the Korean Gerontological Nursing Society, also flowed into this tide. Since its launch in 1999, the journal has been seeking to expand knowledge directly relevant to well-being in older adults and has made considerable efforts to address theoretical and clinical issues pertaining to care for older adults. Over the past decade, the Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing has published over 300 articles. The manuscripts have been submitted by domestic and international authors from diverse nations, and the research designs of the published papers include quantitative, qualitative, and methodological studies [2]. Both the volume and quality of research in journals have been enhanced and are expected to grow continuously.

Despite advances in methodology and a wide range of research themes, it remains challenging to report the nursing needs of older adults precisely and comprehensively. From the standpoint of older adult research participants, they may feel that they have more stories to tell about issues related to personal well-being, such as a well-structured and safe environment, psychological stability, and optimal physical function. In terms of care equity, vulnerable older individuals still report a shortage of comprehensive care in nutrition, self-care, and monitoring from healthcare providers, which have been the basic components of nursing for the sick since Nightingale’s old era [3]. The unmet needs of older adults have been addressed in a large volume of descriptive studies in the Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, and it is well-agreed among nursing researchers that creating an age-friendly living environment in a cost-effective manner is a crucial subject of discussion [4].

From the perspective of gerontological nursing researchers, the increased demand for research evidence on older adults poses several challenges. Intervention research, which is regarded as a higher-level evidence, often requires a lengthy period and external funding resources to complete the study. Recruiting older individuals as the sole participant group may also take longer during the data collection. In addition, most authors are affiliated with academic or clinical institutions, where they are engaged in various work tasks other than research activities, such as teaching, clinical practice, or other administrative services. Researchers may experience time constraints due to overt workloads, making it difficult for them to focus solely on conducting their research.

Acknowledging these challenges, The Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing should pursue the following directions in publication: the journal places the fundamental nursing needs of older adults on intrinsic priority, listening to the voices of older adults in various settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and the community in a balanced way. The journal values all levels of research evidence and continues to make best efforts to invite insightful reviewers to enhance its readership appeal. Clearly and most importantly, it should be the ongoing call of the Journal to seek for the mission of ‘chattering hope and advice to the patient,’ a Nightingale’s core component of nursing [3], by taking research as a language of support for older adults.