Levels of Knowledge in Nursing Students on Hemodynamic Monitoring

Introduction. Hemodynamic monitoring is of great importance because it covers all vital organic systems and their functioning, and any error in the interpretation of the monitored parameters can lead to a drastic deterioration of the patient’s condition and cause death. Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of knowledge about hemodynamic monitoring of full-time and part-time students of the first, second, and third year of the undergraduate study of nursing at the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb. Methods. A cross sectional study was conducted. The survey subjects were students at the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb (N=280) in the period between December 2020 and February 2021. For the purposes of the study, the authors created a questionnaire that students filled in using an online platform, and the results of the questionnaire were anonymous. Results. The research found that most students have an adequate level of knowledge in the field of hemodynamic monitoring. By determining differences in knowledge of part-time and full-time nursing students, it was observed that students with work experience showed statistically significantly better results (p<0.05). Conclusion. The conducted study showed an adequate level of knowledge of nursing studies, since a high number of students, outside of their faculty obligations, have not been in contact with hemodynamic monitoring. The specificity and complexity of work in the intensive care unit comes from a particularly vulnerable population of patients who require maximum care, which is why nurses need continuous education, skill improvement, and training regarding new monitoring methods.