An exploration of sharps injuries within a nursing student population in the UK

Percutaneous injuries, such as sharps injuries, can transmit up to 60 different types of pathogen (Tarantola et al., 2006) to the injured party. Whilst up to 100% of some nursing student populations sustain sharps injuries (Trivedi et al., 2013), a dearth of research studies investigating the topic worldwide exist. It is unknown within the UK the devices contributing to sharps injuries, the incidence rates and the locations where they occur. The aims of this study were to identify the characteristics of sharps injuries within a nursing student population within the UK; to explore the experience of sharps injuries, concentrating on the potential psychological effects and to examine factors that influence nursing student behaviour in relation to sharps usage. Following a systematic review, a multi-phase mixed methods design was used. In Phase One a two-site survey was conducted with nursing students (n=1015) to explore the incidence and impact of sharps injuries. For Phase Two a Twitter Chat was orchestrated to investigate the experiences and effects of sharps injuries with nursing students and Registered Nurses (n=71). Phase Three comprised an audit of sharps injuries sustained in Clinical Skills Simulation Wards (n=3). For Phase Four, interviews were conducted with nursing students who had sustained a sharps injury (n=12) to discover their experiences and the impact of the injury. Findings were synthesised and examined in the context of Learning Theory. Findings showed that sharps injuries were most likely to occur with glass ampoules (34.9%), when students were preparing injections (65%) and in the second year of the programme (44.54%). Many contributing factors of the sharps injury were identified, with inexperience being the primary cause. Some nursing students reported various psychological impacts after sustaining the SI, which affected both professional and personal life. The qualitative findings were synthesised into 8 themes. The study identified that there were many factors which influence nursing student sharps usage behaviour, both in the educational institution and when in clinical placement. The thesis concluded that sharps injuries are common within nursing students, and can have many psychological impacts on the individual. Many factors were identified which influence student nurse behaviour in relation to how they learn about sharps usage. These factors have been amalgamated into a theoretical framework model, which may be useful to guide future education, practice and research

Origins, characteristics and destination of nursing students in South West England

Abstract Background Worldwide there are concerns about the supply of nurses into health systems. Understanding and balancing the supply of and demand for healthcare professionals is crucial to efficient healthcare delivery, yet there is relatively little research that examines in detail where nursing students come from and where they go after qualification. Objectives To investigate the demographic characteristics of applicants to nursing and midwifery programmes in England, those that are enrolled, attrition during study, and their career intentions on graduation. Methods A descriptive case study was conducted in south west England drawing on a complementary set of analyses of routinely collected application and enrolment data from 2017–2020. These were augmented by derivation of student deprivation indices and a follow-up study of nursing and midwifery students qualifying between May 2020 and April 2021. Results The percentage of males applying for nursing doubled and the mean age of all enrolled students (except midwifery) increased during the study period. The mean level of deprivation of applicants increased from the 51st to the 55th centile indicating widening of participation. Most applying and enrolled students originated from the same region as the nursing school and remained working there on qualification. Successively more males than females were lost from the system at each stage from application to qualification. Qualifying students most common job choice was within acute Trusts, with Medical, District nursing and surgical being the most common choices. The most important factors regarding job choice were location, the characteristics of the Trust, having been there as a student, and family considerations. Conclusions The data provide useful information on the nursing educational pipeline. The data discussed here raise questions that would benefit from further regional and national empirical research. </jats:sec