A Survey on the Educational Needs and Competence of Nurses in Maternal Fetal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Purpose: Maternal Fetal Intensive Care Unit (MFICU), which provides intensive care to high-risk mothers with increasing maternal age and high-risk newborns, has become a new field of nursing work in South Korea. The present study was conducted to identify the educational needs and self-assessing clinical competence of nurses in MFICU. Methods: The education needs and competencies of MFICU nurses were measured through prepared questionnaires by researchers based on the previous studies on job analysis of nurses in MFICU. Data were collected from January 2019 to March 2019. The study involved 168 nurses working in MFICUs at 12 hospitals nationwide as study subjects. The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 23.0 program. Results: The education needs of nurses in MFICU had an average of 4.21 points (±0.50) and their nursing competence was average 3.38 points (±0.60). The items reported as high education needs but low competency by nurses in MFICU were as following: 'postpartum hemorrhage and shock,' 'cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for neonate,' 'CPR during pregnancy,' 'disseminated intravascular coagulation,' 'sepsis,' and 'mechanical ventilation during pregnancy.' Conclusion: Based on these results, it is proposed that a comprehensive education program for nurses in MFICU should be developed by considering low capabilities among MFICU nurses as a priority factor.

Traumatic perinatal events and educational needs of labor and delivery room nurses in Korea: a cross-sectional survey

“…Educational needs for traumatic perinatal events scored high (≥3 out of 4) for all items, consistent with findings from Kim et al [ 11 ]. Higher educational needs for dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage, and stillbirth were observed among 4-year university graduates compared to 3-year college graduates, potentially due to differences in patient acuity levels at their workplaces.…”

“…Therefore, research on the emotional and psychological challenges labor unit nurses face during such care, and the development of educational programs based on these findings is necessary. Additionally, as nurses who experience or witness traumatic perinatal events are at higher risk of burnout, posttraumatic stress, and increased turnover intention [ 11 , 22 ], research on psychological programs and healing/rehabilitation programs to prevent turnover is needed.…”

“…To respond appropriately, nurses must know about traumatic perinatal events and have excellent clinical performance skills [ 8 ]. While nursing education enhances clinical competence and confidence in practice [ 9 ], previous studies have reported lower labor and delivery nursing performance among nurses than midwives, as nurses are often assigned without systematic training [ 10 , 11 ]. Limited educational opportunities exist in smaller hospitals and clinics [ 12 ].…”