CPR Training for Nurses: How often Is It Necessary?

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Emergency Medicine
• Healthcare Training

Background:

• Effective response to cardiac arrest relies on nurses' competence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Assessing the acquisition and retention of CPR knowledge and skills in nurses is vital for patient safety.
• This study evaluates the long-term effectiveness of CPR training courses for nursing staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine how nurses acquire and retain cognitive knowledge in CPR.
• To assess the retention of psychomotor skills in CPR among nurses post-training.
• To evaluate the long-term impact of a standardized CPR training course on nursing competency.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed.
• 112 nurses' CPR knowledge was assessed using validated multiple-choice questionnaires.
• Psychomotor skills were evaluated using an observational checklist on manikins at baseline, post-training, 10 weeks, and 2 years.

Main Results:

• Significant acquisition of CPR knowledge and psychomotor skills was observed immediately after training.
• Mean scores decreased from 17.81 post-training to 12.86 two years later.
• A significant decline in both CPR knowledge and psychomotor skills was evident two years post-training in 42 nurses.

Conclusions:

• Initial CPR training leads to significant knowledge and skill acquisition.
• There is a notable deterioration of CPR knowledge and skills two years after training.
• Repetitive, periodic CPR training is essential to ensure sustained nurse competence and confidence in cardiac arrest response.