Examining the knowledge levels and competencies of nurses about preventing falls in individuals with cardiovascular disease

This descriptive study was conducted to examine the level of knowledge and competence of nurses caring for individuals with cardiovascular disease about the precautions to be taken against patient falls. The sample of the study consisted of 130 nurses working in inpatient units in a Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, who provided care to individuals with cardiovascular disease and who agreed to participate in the study. The data of the study were collected by face-to-face interviews with nurses between January and March 2025 after obtaining the necessary permissions. In the data collection phase, the Falls Prevention Knowledge Test, Self-Efficacy in Falls Prevention -Nurse- Scale and Questionnaire Form were used to introduce the participants. IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 25.00 programme was used for data analysis. The skewness and kurtosis values of the variables were examined while determining the analysis techniques. Number, percentage, standard deviation and mean statistical methods were used in the analysis of the data. Independent Sample t test was used to compare the scores of two categorical variables. Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between continuous variables. According to the findings of the study, the mean score of self-efficacy in preventing falls was found to be 56.98 out of 66 full points that could be obtained, the self-efficacy level was interpreted as high and varied according to demographic characteristics (For example, the self-efficacy score of married nurses was higher than single nurses). The mean fall prevention knowledge score of the participants was 37.20 and it was determined that nurses should improve their knowledge on this subject. In addition, the data showed variability according to demographic characteristics (For example, the score of female nurses was higher than male nurses). It is recommended that both the frequency and content of in service trainings should be reorganised in order to increase the level of knowledge and self-efficacy in preventing falls. It is recommended that the training programmes to be planned should not be sufficient with theoretical knowledge and should be supported by case-based simulation and applied methods.