The application of antimicrobial stewardship knowledge to nursing practice: A national survey of United Kingdom pre-registration nursing students

Molly Courtenay; Clare Hawker; Rose Gallagher; Enrique Castro-Sanchez; Dinah J Gould; Faten Al Salti; Jennifer Bate; Daniel Cooper; Rebecca Cooper; Rebecca Craig; Rebecca Dickenson; Debbie Fallon; Sharon Mcleod; Kate Morrow; Valerie Ness; Andrew Nichols; Sarah O'reilly; Sarah Partington; J Claire Sevenoaks; Matthew Sunter; Jane Turner; Liz W Underhill; Sarah L Weaver

doi:10.1111/jan.16195

The application of antimicrobial stewardship knowledge to nursing practice: A national survey of United Kingdom pre-registration nursing students

J Adv Nurs. 2024 Apr 25. doi: 10.1111/jan.16195. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Molly Courtenay¹, Clare Hawker¹, Rose Gallagher², Enrique Castro-Sanchez^{3

4

5}, Dinah J Gould⁶, Faten Al Salti⁷, Jennifer Bate⁸, Daniel Cooper⁹, Rebecca Cooper¹⁰, Rebecca Craig¹¹, Rebecca Dickenson¹², Debbie Fallon¹³, Sharon Mcleod¹⁴, Kate Morrow¹⁵, Valerie Ness¹⁶, Andrew Nichols¹⁷, Sarah O'reilly¹⁸, Sarah Partington¹⁹, J Claire Sevenoaks²⁰, Matthew Sunter²¹, Jane Turner²², Liz W Underhill²³, Sarah L Weaver²⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Health Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
² Infection Prevention and Control, Royal College of Nursing, London, UK.
³ Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK.
⁴ Imperial College, London, UK.
⁵ University of Balearic Islands, Spain.
⁶ Infection Control, London, UK.
⁷ Sheffield Hallam University, College of Health & Wellbeing, Sheffield, UK.
⁸ School of Health, Science and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Shrewsbury, UK.
⁹ School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Liverpool John Moore University, Liverpool, UK.
¹⁰ School of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
¹¹ School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK.
¹² School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, UK.
¹³ Manchester University, Manchester, UK.
¹⁴ Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK.
¹⁵ School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
¹⁶ Department of Nursing and Community Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
¹⁷ School of Nursing and Midwifery, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK.
¹⁸ Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK.
¹⁹ School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership, Bradford University, Bradford, UK.
²⁰ School of Health Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK.
²¹ Robert Gordon University, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice, Aberdeen, UK.
²² School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Derby, Chesterfield, UK.
²³ School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
²⁴ Three Counties School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK.

PMID: 38661290
DOI: 10.1111/jan.16195

Abstract

Aim: To assess student nurses understanding and skills in the application of antimicrobial stewardship knowledge to practice.

Design: Quantitative.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey.

Results: Five hundred and twenty three student nurses responded across 23 UK universities. Although students felt prepared in competencies in infection prevention and control, patient-centred care and interprofessional collaborative practice, they felt less prepared in competencies in which microbiological knowledge, prescribing and its effect on antimicrobial stewardship is required. Problem-based learning, activities in the clinical setting and face-to-face teaching were identified as the preferred modes of education delivery. Those who had shared antimicrobial stewardship teaching with students from other professions reported the benefits to include a broader understanding of antimicrobial stewardship, an understanding of the roles of others in antimicrobial stewardship and improved interprofessional working.

Conclusion: There are gaps in student nurses' knowledge of the basic sciences associated with the antimicrobial stewardship activities in which nurses are involved, and a need to strengthen knowledge in pre-registration nurse education programmes pertaining to antimicrobial management, specifically microbiology and antimicrobial regimes and effects on antimicrobial stewardship. Infection prevention and control, patient-centred care and interprofessional collaborative practice are areas of antimicrobial stewardship in which student nurses feel prepared. Interprofessional education would help nurses and other members of the antimicrobial stewardship team clarify the role nurses can play in antimicrobial stewardship and therefore maximize their contribution to antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial management.

Implications for the profession: There is a need to strengthen knowledge from the basic sciences, specifically pertaining to antimicrobial management, in pre-registration nurse education programmes.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.

Impact: What Problem Did the Study Address? Nurses must protect health through understanding and applying antimicrobial stewardship knowledge and skills (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2018); however, there is no research available that has investigated nurses understanding and skills of the basic sciences associated with the antimicrobial stewardship activities in which they are involved. What Were the Main Findings? There are gaps in student nurses' knowledge of the basic sciences (specifically microbiology and prescribing) associated with the antimicrobial stewardship activities in which nurses are involved. Problem-based learning, and activities in the clinical setting, were reported as useful teaching methods, whereas online learning, was seen as less useful. Where and on Whom Will the Research Have an Impact? Pre-registration nurse education programmes.

Reporting method: The relevant reporting method has been adhered to, that is, STROBE.

Keywords: biological subjects; nurse education; nurse roles; quantitative approaches.