Knowledge and Attitudes about Pain Management among Canadian Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: Poorly managed pain is a problem that affects individuals, entire health care systems, and societies worldwide. Nurses are involved in pain management, yet little is known about the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine preregistration nursing students' knowledge and attitudes about the assessment and management of pain.

Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey.

Settings: Four education sites from two post-secondary institutions in Ontario, Canada.

Participants/subjects: A convenience sample of 336 final year Bachelor of Science in Nursing and practical nursing students.

Methods: Participants were recruited in the classroom setting to complete the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain. A score of eighty percent is considered a pass.

Results: Ninety percent of students who were in class on the day of the survey agreed to participate (n = 336/373). Fifteen (4.5%) participants passed the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain, and the mean score was 66.7% (standard deviation 9.1). English as primary language, institution attended, and prior experience caring for someone with pain were independently associated with higher scores (p < .05). Students were found to have major gaps in knowledge and attitudes related to understanding the risk of respiratory depression after opioid therapy, calculating medication dosages, administrating medication, and understanding pharmacology.

Conclusions: The majority of nursing students in this sample did not have adequate knowledge and positive attitudes about pain assessment and management.