Antimicrobial Stewardship in Healthcare: Exploring the Role of Nurses in Promoting Change, Identifying Barrier Elements and Facilitators—A Meta-Synthesis

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) involves a coordinated set of actions aimed at promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics within healthcare settings. This systematic review of qualitative studies assessed nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of the barriers and facilitators that impact their involvement in AMS programs. Methods: This meta-synthesis followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. Relevant studies published between 2018 and 2023 were identified through searches on PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. The studies were critically appraised using the CASP checklist, with 19 articles meeting the inclusion criteria from five continents. Results: Six recurring themes emerged from the analysis of nurses’ experiences and opinions regarding their roles in AMS programs. These themes included the organization of AMS programs, availability of resources, training and education, communication, and the evolving role of nurses in AMS. Conclusions: Nurses at every level of the profession might play a crucial role in antimicrobial stewardship. Although active involvement of nurses in antibiotic stewardship requires further exploration and research, this topic is being examined internationally. The literature on this subject primarily analyzes the phenomenon from a quantitative perspective rather than a qualitative one, and it is contextualized more within hospital settings rather than community settings.