An analysis on nurses' knowledge and experiences in peripheral intravenous catheter interventions

AN ANALYSIS ON NURSES' KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES IN PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS CATHETER INTERVENTIONS Dokuz Eylül University Hospital Objective: This study aims to analyze the knowledge and experiences nurses have in peripheral intravenous catheter interventions. Methods: The sample of this descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of 438 nurses who were working in the internal units and surgical units of two university hospitals and a state hospital between July 19 and October 31, 2017 and who volunteered to participate in the study. The data were collected using the Introductory Information Form and the Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization Information Form, both of which were prepared by the researchers based on the relevant literature. Data analysis was performed using percentages and chi-square tests. Results: The participants' average age was 33.77 ±7.29, 96.1% were female, and 72.8% had a bachelor's degree. Their mean work period was 11.59 ±7.86 years, and 41.6% had received education on peripheral intravenous interventions. The results from this study showed that the nurses' knowledge on peripheral intravenous catheterization was affected by their age, the clinic where they work, the shift they regularly worked, total working hours, their positive evaluations on the working conditions, and their level of satisfaction with the profession (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study indicated that the nurses had a moderate level of knowledge on peripheral intravenous catheterization. Education programs should be planned by considering the characteristics of the groups who displayed significant differences in this study. Keywords: Peripheral intravenous catheter, intravenous intervention, level of knowledge, nurse.