Unintentional Gun Violence in the Home: A Survey of Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurses' Preventive Measures

Across the United States, unintentional shootings involving toddlers are on the rise. Pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners encounter families with toddlers regularly, allowing them the opportunity to make assessments and implement safety measures. The purpose of this study was to assess gun safety knowledge levels, health promotion strategies, and preventive interventions of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) METHODS: This quantitative study used an anonymous, online survey e-mailed to pediatric-focused APRNs using the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners e-mail list.

The sample included 54 APRNs. The majority, 70.3%, reported asking parents about guns in the home; this was most often done with a new patient (62.3%, p = .05). APRNs were more likely (88.7%, p = .05) to believe that well-child practice standards should include questions about gun safety, but 56.4% (p = .033) responded that their workplace does not have a teaching plan or policy about gun safety. In addition, APRNs who are gun owners were more likely to screen for guns (62.5%, p = .05) and teach about safe gun storage (75.0%, p = .02).

Overall, APRNs feel knowledgeable enough to assess and inform patients about safe gun storage, as well as interventions. One obstacle to effective promotion of gun safety may exist at the broader systemic level, as most of the practice settings do not have pertinent policies and resources for families of toddlers. Findings suggest that most APRNs are including gun safety teaching without an identified policy.