Diabetes Management Unawareness: What Do Bedside Nurses Know?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2014
Originally Published In
Applied Nursing Research
Volume Number
27
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
157–161
Abstract
Background
Nurses are responsible for critical aspects of diabetes care.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine nurses' knowledge of inpatient diabetes management principles before and after a structured diabetes education program.
Methods
In this descriptive, correlation study, 2250 registered nurses working in a quaternary health care center completed a 20 question assessment. The assessment was administered pre and post attendance at a 4 hour diabetes management course.
Findings
Nurses' knowledge of inpatient diabetes management principles was low. There was no correlation between knowledge scores and age, education, employment status, years of experience or clinical specialty.
Conclusions
In general, our findings suggest that nurses do not feel comfortable and are not adequately prepared to make patient care decisions or provide survival skill education for patients with diabetes in the hospital.
