Potential challenges arising from the status of preparation implementation in pediatric nursing and its influencing factors

Abstract

 This study aimed to determine the status of preparation implementation across Japan and clarify its relationship with nurses’ attributes, awareness of the need for preparation, and educational experience to understand challenges to preparation in the future. A survey using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was conducted from August 2017 to March 2018. Participants included 1,712 nurses who worked in pediatric wards and pediatric outpatient clinics in both nationwide pediatric hospitals as well as general hospitals with a pediatrics department and at least 400 beds. A total of 741 valid responses were collected (valid response rate: 43.3%). Roughly 80% of respondents had experience with implementing preparation, but less than 50% had implemented preparation in the last three months. Among the five levels of preparation implementation status, few nurses were implementing information gathering and assessment. Factors influencing implementation of preparation were workplace, the number of years of pediatric nursing experience, and educational experience. Challenges going forward include establishment of preparation into everyday nursing, promotion of information gathering and assessment.