Evaluation of the nursing students ' levels of i̇nformation about the care of the newborn

Care standards recommend the care of newborn babies to be provided by specialized health care personnel. The quality of care provided at neonatal care units has been improved considerably and nurses in neonatal care clinics play a pivotal role in health care team. Neonatal care nursing is based on main nursing care practices and nursing care process. The aim of this descriptive study was to assess the nursing students? level of knowledge about neonatal care and to provide suggestions for improving the students? knowledge about neonatal care. It was conducted at school of nursing of Foundation University, located in Istanbul. The study sample comprised of 350 undergraduate students. Data were collected using Student Information Form and Neonatal Care Knowledge Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16). The study found that the level of knowledge about neonatal care of nursing students was high. There were statistically significant differences between and Neonatal Care Knowledge Questionnaire in relation to variables such as students? class, gender and the type of high school completed (p < 0.05). The current study found also a correlation between students? age and academic achievement scores (p< 0.01). There was a positive relationship between the level of knowledge and students? age (rs = 0.155, p = 0.004). The level of knowledge of female nursing students were higher than male nursing students (Zmwu = -2.454, p = 0.014). Study found that the 4th and 3rd class students got higher level of knowledge about neonatal care than 2nd class students (X2kw = 62.621, p = 0.000). Students graduated from so-called super section of these schools so-called super section of the general high schools got higher level of knowledge about neonatal care than those graduated from general high school (X2kw = 9.742, p = 0.045). Students whose father has had any formal education or were literate had better level of knowledge about neonatal care than those whom father were illiterate (X2kw = 13.679, p = 0.018). Study suggest to develop courses in the curriculum of nursing schools about neonatal care, and family planning health education about fathers.Key words: Nurse, Nursing Students, Neonatal, Level of Knowledge