A description of the self-perceived educational needs of emergency nurses in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

IntroductionEmergency nurses are usually the first to interact with critically ill patients and victims of violence and injuries, and require advanced skills and knowledge to manage such patients. Inadequate training prevents nurses from providing optimal emergency care, and it is important to investigate if there are any skills and competencies lacking in these emergency nurses. We sought to describe the self-perceived educational needs of emergency nurses in Durban, South Africa.MethodsA descriptive quantitative survey was conducted with nurses working in four emergency centres (two state, and two privately funded hospitals) in Durban, South Africa.ResultsThe survey questionnaire was distributed with a response rate of 79% (n = 128). Almost half the respondents (48%, n = 61) scored less than the mean score of 29, thus indicating lower competency levels. The majority of respondents (67%, n = 85) perceived themselves as highly competent in basic skills (e.g. assess breathing, administer oxygen, assess circulation). Less than half the respondents (45%, n = 57) perceived themselves as highly competent in the intermediate skills (e.g. control haemorrhage, assist with endotracheal intubation, manage shock). A large number of respondents (46%, n = 59) perceived themselves as least competent in advanced skills (e.g. defibrillation/cardioversion, interpreting an echocardiogram [ECG]). The mean score obtained for educational need was 100, thus reflecting a high educational need, and more than half the respondents (62%, n = 79) scored higher than the mean score of 100 for educational needs. The lowest score was 41. Thirty percent (n = 38) of the respondents scored 117, indicating educational needs for all the competencies listed. Overall, 72% (n = 92) agreed that emergency education was a need.DiscussionThe study emphasises the need for support systems for educational development of emergency nurses. Further training in specific skills and competencies may enhance emergency care provided. There is a growing need for ongoing educational development of emergency nurses in South Africa.

Strategies to Enhance Knowledge and Practical Skills of Triage amongst Nurses Working in the Emergency Departments of Rural Hospitals in South Africa

“…In this regard, the WHO (a) [ 17 ] guidelines on emergency care state that there should be standardized short courses for nurses working within the ED to reinforce their knowledge and practical skills on triage. Dulandas et al [ 7 ], confirm that short courses in emergency care like Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Peads Life Support enhanced the knowledge and practical skills of nurses working within the E.D.…”

“…Various authors have investigated and deliberated on the level of knowledge and skills of nurses working in the ED regarding triage in South Africa [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. For instance, Phukubye, Mbombi, and Mothiba [ 6 ] reported nurses in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province in South Africa (SA) had an average score on knowledge of triage with poor practical skills.…”

“…For instance, Phukubye, Mbombi, and Mothiba [ 6 ] reported nurses in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province in South Africa (SA) had an average score on knowledge of triage with poor practical skills. Similarly, a study by Dulandas and Brysiewicz [ 7 ] reported a need for a support system in educational development that will improve the competency, knowledge, and practical skill level among most emergency nurses. Brysiewicz [ 11 ], on the other hand, reported that poor triage practice of emergency nurses results from a lack of knowledge amongst nurses in ED.…”

Electrocardiogram interpretation competency among emergency nurses and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel: A cross‐sectional and comparative descriptive study

“…Maintaining ECG interpretation is of great importance and a requirement of professional registration (Asghari et al, 2014;Brooks et al, 2016;Goldich, 2014;McGrath & Sampson, 2018;Quinn et al, 2014). Several studies have examined ECG interpretation competency of healthcare providers (Dulandas & Brysiewicz, 2018;Santana-Santos et al, 2017;Stopa et al, 2017;Werner et al, 2016). Coll-badell et al (2017) evaluated emergency nurses' ECG interpretation competency and reported that emergency nurses demonstrated high ECG interpretation competency.…”

Analisis Kompetensi Respon Bencana Pada Perawat Di Puskesmas Kabupaten Bireuen, Aceh

“…Berbeda dengan hasil penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Dulandas & Brysiewicz (2018) pada perawat gawat darurat di Amerika Serikat, Durban dan Afrika Selatan sebanyak (48%) mendapatkan nilai kurang dari skor rata-rata sehingga menunjukkan tingkat kompetensi yang rendah, sedangkan mayoritas perawat (67%) menganggap dirinya sangat berkompeten dalam keterampilan dasar seperti menilai pernapasan, mengelola oksigen, dan menilai sirkulasi, dan kurang dari setengah perawat (45%) menganggap dirinya sangat berkompeten dalam keterampilan menengah seperti, kontrol perdarahan, membantu intubasi endotrakeal, dan juga mengelola shock.…”