Level of Knowledge and Confidence on Emergency Response of Nursing Graduate Students

Abstract

This study is an assessment of the level of knowledge and confidence on emergency response of nursing graduate students. Specifically, on answered the following problems: (1) What is the profile of the nursing graduate students in terms of age, sex, employment, number of years as a professional nurse, and in-service training? (2) What is the level of knowledge on emergency response in first-aid, basic life support, intravenous therapy, and triage? (3) What is their level of confidence in providing emergency response in first-aid, basic life support, intravenous therapy, and triage? (4) Is there a significant difference between the level of knowledge and the level of confidence in rendering emergency response? (5) What interventions may be proposed to enhance the level of knowledge on emergency response of the nurses? A total of forty Bicol University Graduate School Gubat Campus Master in Nursing students serve as respondents. It considered survey design using descriptive method and resorted to questionnaire-checklist and assessment test. The level of knowledge (39 items/situations scenario) and level of confidence (24 items/situations scenario) were described using the 3-point Likert scale of 1 for low (≤1.50); 2 for moderate (1.51-2.50); and 3 for high (≥2.51). Other data and information were generated and/or verified through document analysis and unstructured interview. Frequency count, weighted mean, percent-age, rank and t-test statistics were computed using MS Excel and SPSS. Some of the significant findings and conclusions of the study on level of knowledge and confidence on emergency response of nursing graduate students are: 1. There is predominant of female, young, volunteer, less than five years of professional experience with good participation in first aid and basic life support emergency among the nurses enrolled in the Bicol University Graduate School Gubat Campus. 2. The level of knowledge of the graduate nursing students remained average in first aid, basic life support, intravenous therapy, and triage. 3. Graduate nursing students of the Bicol University in Gubat displayed moderate confidence in first aid and basic life support. A similar level (moderate) of confidence is noted except for “others” employment (low) in intravenous therapy and triage emergency. 4. Knowledge and confidence level of the graduate nursing students differed significantly. 5. The proposed intervention to enhance the knowledge and confidence in emergency response of the graduate nursing students is a direct manifestation of their professional preparation and competence.