Effectiveness of a nurse-led training program in improving the knowledge and skills in basic life support among newly hired nurses at the University Medical Center

Abstract

Background

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a critical competency for nurses, however its training and evaluation often lack consistency. This issue is particularly evident in Central Asia, where limited evidence exists on scalable and sustainable educational models within medical science education to ensure frontline readiness.

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a nurse-led, simulation-based BLS training program on the knowledge and skills of newly hired nurses at a tertiary academic medical center in Kazakhstan.

Methods

A one-group pre-test and post-test design assessed the impact of a structured BLS training program at the University Medical Center in Astana, Kazakhstan. Fifty-two newly hired nurses were enrolled, of whom forty-nine completed all immediate post-intervention assessments. The intervention integrated theoretical instruction, simulation-based practical training, and skills assessments based on European Resuscitation Council guidelines. BLS knowledge was assessed via a 20-item multiple-choice test, and skills were evaluated using a validated checklist. Differences in outcomes across three time points, namely, pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 1–2 months post-intervention, were analyzed using paired t-tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results

Knowledge scores significantly improved immediately after the intervention (M = 18.10, standard deviation [SD] = 2.52) compared to the pre-test (M = 8.71, SD = 3.01; p < 0.001). However, a significant decline was noted at 1 month (M = 11.53, SD = 2.52; p < 0.001). By contrast, practical skills showed continuous improvement, with mean scores increasing from 3.47 (SD = 1.27) pre-intervention to 13.10 (SD = 0.92) at 2 months (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This is one of the first studies in Central Asia to evaluate a nurse-led, simulation-based BLS program with follow-up. The findings offer practical implications for medical and nursing education by demonstrating that such models can improve early medical preparedness.