How Much Do Nurses Know About Residents?

Nurses work closely with residents on a daily basis but may not understand the details about residency training and experience. We investigated our institution to understand misconceptions nurses may have about residents and provide education. Nurses (n = 26) participated in a lecture about residents and were given identical surveys before and after the lecture. Twenty-two nurses (85%) were medical/surgical, 1 (4%) was obstetrical, and 3 (11%) were critical care. In the pre-education survey, nurses were able to correctly identify the main purpose of residency as educational. Most nurses knew that residents arrived at the hospital between 5:00 and 7:00 am and that residents could perform bedside procedures. A marked increase was found between correct pre- and post-survey answers in 4 questions: interns are doctors (15% vs. 77%), residents' work hours (23% vs. 65%), correct average salary (39% vs. 92%), and correct paid time off (PTO) days per year (8% vs. 85%). Salaries were overestimated, and work hours and PTO were underestimated. Most nurses did not know interns are in fact doctors. Our post-educational survey demonstrated improved knowledge of resident credentials, challenges, and work environment. The mean result for the post-educational survey was significantly higher than the pre-educational survey results, indicating that the educational intervention was effective in improving nurses' knowledge regarding residents.