Mona Ewertsson1, Margareta Gustafsson2, Karin Blomberg2, Inger K Holmström3, Renée Allvin4. 1. Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. Electronic address: mona.ewertsson@oru.se. 2. Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. 3. School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden; Department of Public Health and Caring Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 4. Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Clinical Skills Centre, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: One comprehensive part of nursing practice is performing technical skills and handling of medical equipment. This might be challenging for new registered nurses (RNs) to do in patient-safe way. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the extent to which new RNs perform various technical skills and handle medical devices in different settings, and to investigate their possibility for continued learning in this respect. A further aim was to describe their perceptions of incident reporting related to technical skills and medical devices. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with descriptive and comparative design. PARTICIPANTS: RNs who recently graduated from a nursing programme at three Swedish universities and had worked as a RN for up to 1 year were included in the study (n=113, response rate 57%). METHOD: Data were collected by means of a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Half of the RNs reported that they performed several of the listed tasks every day or every week, regardless of workplace. These tasks were most frequently performed in surgical departments. The majority of the participants (76%) stated a need of continued practical training. However, less than half of them (48%) had access to a training environment. Several participants (43%) had been involved in incidents related to technical skills or medical devices, which were not always reported. Nearly a third of the participants (31%) did not use the existing guidelines when performing technical skills, and reflection on performance was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of shared responsibilities between nurse educators and health care employers to provide learning opportunities for new RNs in technical skills, to maintain patient safety. To increase the safety culture where nursing students and new RNs understand the importance of using evidence-based guidelines and taking a reflective approach in the performance of technical tasks is needed.
BACKGROUND: One comprehensive part of nursing practice is performing technical skills and handling of medical equipment. This might be challenging for new registered nurses (RNs) to do in patient-safe way. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the extent to which new RNs perform various technical skills and handle medical devices in different settings, and to investigate their possibility for continued learning in this respect. A further aim was to describe their perceptions of incident reporting related to technical skills and medical devices. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with descriptive and comparative design. PARTICIPANTS: RNs who recently graduated from a nursing programme at three Swedish universities and had worked as a RN for up to 1 year were included in the study (n=113, response rate 57%). METHOD: Data were collected by means of a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: Half of the RNs reported that they performed several of the listed tasks every day or every week, regardless of workplace. These tasks were most frequently performed in surgical departments. The majority of the participants (76%) stated a need of continued practical training. However, less than half of them (48%) had access to a training environment. Several participants (43%) had been involved in incidents related to technical skills or medical devices, which were not always reported. Nearly a third of the participants (31%) did not use the existing guidelines when performing technical skills, and reflection on performance was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of shared responsibilities between nurse educators and health care employers to provide learning opportunities for new RNs in technical skills, to maintain patient safety. To increase the safety culture where nursing students and new RNs understand the importance of using evidence-based guidelines and taking a reflective approach in the performance of technical tasks is needed.
Authors: Ann-Chatrin Linqvist Leonardsen; Ina Kristin Blågestad; Siri Brynhildsen; Richard Olsen; Lars Gunheim-Hatland; Anne-Grethe Gregersen; Anne Herwander Kvarsnes; Wenche Charlotte Hansen; Hilde Marie Andreassen; Mona Martinsen; Mette Hansen; Inger Hjelmeland; Vigdis Abrahamsen Grøndahl Journal: Nurs Open Date: 2020-05-22