Date
5-16-2024
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Chair
Elizabeth Whorley
Keywords
pain management, student nurse, elective course, pediatric, neonatal
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Slowik, Jordan Lee, "Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Student Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Neonatal and Pediatric Pain Management Practices" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5572.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5572
Abstract
Research has indicated that pain management practices amongst registered nurses is inadequate across all age groups; however, it is frequently noted that children receive less analgesia in comparable situations than adult clients leading to harmful and costly consequences. There is a distinct gap in nursing educational research understanding nursing student knowledge and attitudes towards neonatal and pediatric pain management practices. Using a convenience sample from a private, Christian-based university in the southeastern United States, this study used a quasi-experimental, one-group pretest/posttest design to understand the impact of elective nursing courses on undergraduate baccalaureate nursing student knowledge and attitudes towards neonatal and pediatric pain management practices using the Pediatric Healthcare Providers Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain (PHPKAS). The research question states: To what extent do undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students neonatal and pediatric pain management knowledge and attitudes differ before and after three elective nursing courses already containing pain management education? A sample of 21 participants completed both the pretest and posttest surveys. Results from a paired samples t-test indicated there was not a significant difference in undergraduate nursing student knowledge and attitudes towards neonatal and pediatric pain management practices before and after elective nursing courses t[20]=.765; p=.227 (one tailed); thus, the researcher failed to reject the null hypothesis. Findings suggest that confusion exists towards the pain management practices, especially towards caring for children with cancer, the use of sedatives and narcotics, and common misconceptions regarding pain in neonates and pediatrics. The findings from this research can guide future pain management curricular content and educational research.
