Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Performance of Nursing Students towards Nursing Documentation.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Nowadays accurate nursing documentation is one of the most essential activities frame work in order to evaluate the quality of nursing care and performance. Nursing documentation is considered as a valuable source for training students. Evaluating the quality of the nursing students’ documentation is the basic prerequisite program to enhance the knowledge and skills of students. Appropriate documentation leads to the evolution of knowledge credibility of professional independence. Such records are valuable source of information for training learners and researchers. Students, as the main recipients of educational services, can pose educational problems. The present study aims to determine nursing students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards nursing documentation. Methods: This research is a descriptive study which examines the nursing students’ knowledge and performance in registration documents. The study sample included all nursing learners of 4-5-6-7 and 8th semester of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. 120 out of 133 participants were selected by using convenience sampling method. The research instrument was developed by the researcher and divided into five sections: individual characteristics, questions concerning knowledge, attitude and performance checklist, implementation of disease scenario. After confirming validity and reliability the questionnaire was completed by the participants. It was used to examine the knowledge of the students about the test and their attitudes towards nursing documentation. Two methods were applied to evaluate learners’ performance: 1) performance checklist 2) implementation of disease scenario (in four dimensions: recording vital signs and nursing reports, medicinal measures and fluid absorption and excretion). A researcher made observation checklist was used to assess the information. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistic method. Results: Findings showed that most students’ knowledge of recording nursing reports was moderate (82.6%) while 85% of them had high level of attitude towards it. Assessing implementation of the disease scenario indicated that 76.8% and 76.7% of students had average yield in, respectively, nursing reports and vital signs. Respectively, 40% and 87.6% of them did well in recording fluid absorption and excretion and medicinal measures. Conclusion: According to the results it seems that recording nursing documentation knowledge should be enhanced performing training courses, implementation of clinical educational programs and using faculty members experienced in teaching courses; consequently, education will empower students to prepare comprehensive and holistic care reports. Methods: This research is a descriptive study which examines the nursing students’ knowledge and performance in registration documents. The study sample included all nursing learners of 4-5-6-7 and 8th semester of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. 120 out of 133 participants were selected by using convenience sampling method. The research instrument was developed by the researcher and divided into five sections: individual characteristics, questions concerning knowledge, attitude and performance checklist, implementation of disease scenario. After confirming validity and reliability the questionnaire was completed by the participants. It was used to examine the knowledge of the students about the test and their attitudes towards nursing documentation. Two methods were applied to evaluate learners’ performance: 1) performance checklist 2) implementation of disease scenario (in four dimensions: recording vital signs and nursing reports, medicinal measures and fluid absorption and excretion). A researcher made observation checklist was used to assess the information. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistic method. Results: Findings showed that most students’ knowledge of recording nursing reports was moderate (82.6%) while 85% of them had high level of attitude towards it. Assessing implementation of the disease scenario indicated that 76.8% and 76.7% of students had average yield in, respectively, nursing reports and vital signs. Respectively, 40% and 87.6% of them did well in recording fluid absorption and excretion and medicinal measures. Conclusion: According to the results it seems that recording nursing documentation knowledge should be enhanced performing training courses, implementation of clinical educational programs and using faculty members experienced in teaching courses; consequently, education will empower students to prepare comprehensive and holistic care reports.