Learning Objective #1: Describe the baseline knowledge of hospital-based nurses regarding the clinical care of victims of radiological events

Learning Objective #2: Describe nurses' sense of clinical competence and perception of personal safety towards responding to radiation emergencies and its impact on willingness to come to work

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Purpose: To describe hospital-based nurses knowledge and attitudes regarding clinical response to radiation emergencies, and their willingness to come to work during a major radiation event. Methods: Cross-sectional survey research employing a purposive sample of 190 hospital-based nurses from nine selected units at two upstate New York hospitals. A preliminary focus group was conducted with a sample of twenty-one nurses in order to identify critical domains for investigation. Focus group data was coded and analyzed using CDC EZ-text. A self-administered survey tool was then developed to investigate the conceptual domains of baseline level of knowledge, sense of clinical competence, perception of personal safety, and willingness to respond. The survey design and validation process included review of published surveys and existing national examinations for radiation knowledge. Event scenarios and survey questions were reviewed for validity and reliability by three experts in radiation safety/radiation biology. The survey was pre-tested and pilot tested with nursing students at the University of Rochester. Survey data was analyzed using SPSS 11.0. Findings: Hospital-based nurses do not possess the knowledge to adequately assess and manage victims of a radiation emergency. Hospital-based nurses reported that they did not feel clinically competent with respect to radiation emergencies, nor did they possess a perception of personal safety. Three independent variables (baseline level of knowledge, sense of clinical competence and perception of personal safety) were predictors of nurses' willingness to respond/come to work during a major radiation incident or emergency. Conclusions: Hospital-based nurses do not possess an adequate understanding of radiation and the appropriate clinical response to victims of radiation. Hospital-based nurses do not possess a sense of clinical competence nor do they possess a perception of personal safety. Because of these knowledge deficits and attitudes, hospital-based nurses may not be willing to come to work during a major radiation emergency.