How Much Do Nurses Know About Residents?

ABSTRACT

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 500 and 700 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.