Competency of Registration Nurses in Caring for STEMI Patients in Secondary Hospitals, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study the association between knowledge and competency of registered nurses in caring for STEMI patients. Population in this study consisted of 86 registered nurses working at the accident emergency rooms and intensive care unit rooms at Secondary hospitals in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Purposive sampling was determined following by inclusion and exclusion criteria for collecting data. Data were collected by questionnaires consisted of 3 parts including characteristics, registered nurse’ knowledge of caring for STEMI patients and competency of registered nurses in caring for STEMI patients. In addition, to check questionnaire standardization, validity was checked by 5 experts and try out was conducted for testing reliability (Cronbach’s coefficient alpha=0.99). Data were analyzed by using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient.

The results showed that the registered nurse’ knowledge of caring for STEMI patients had mean score at a high level (83.72%) and the competency of registered nurses in caring for STEMI patients had mean score at a high level (x ̅=4.34, S.D.=0.384). When analyzing the association, the findings found that the registered nurse’ knowledge of caring for STEMI patients had significant association with competency of registered nurses in caring for STEMI patients (r=0.979, p-value=0.003).

Thus, training for the registered nurses in caring for STEMI patients should be provided continuously in order to increase their knowledge and decrease error in their practice.