Evaluation of nursing student's knowledge levels on pressure ulcers care

Objective: In this study, descriptive-correlational research methods were adopted to assess the knowledge levels of nursing students regarding pressure ulcers care and identifying the factors that affect it. Material and Method: The sample of research consists of 301 students who took the theoretical course in pressure ulcers and agreed to participate which was 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade students studying at the Nursing Department of the Florence Nightingale Hospital. The data was collected using the "Form of Introductory Characteristics of Students" and "Knowledge Level Questionnaire on Pressure Ulcers Care". One-way analysis of variance; the t-test, Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact, and the Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact tests were adopted for comparison of chosen descriptive statistics methods, frequency, arithmetic means, standard deviation, and percentage for the analysis of data. Findings: The student's total scores regarding the measurement of an online questionnaire were 22,73±3,41 out of 30. It was determined that there is a statistically significant relationship between the findings and the variables; students' gender, age, vocation status, year of education, the type of graduated high school, clinical placement experience as a nurse, having education in pressure ulcers, encountering, and caring a patient with a pressure ulcer, and having sufficient nursing practices for pressure ulcer. Result: There is a need for improvement in the knowledge level of nursing students about pressure ulcers care. Therefore, it can be recommended to implement repetitive theoretical knowledge in pressure ulcers by combining clinical exercises during undergraduate education.