3 in 5 novice nurses struggle with higher-complexity procedures

More than 40% were overwhelmed by ethical issues surrounding patient care responsibilities.

Around 60% of nurses with less than two years’ work experience are uncomfortable performing procedures of higher complexity, according to a study by the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).

The study revealed that longer supervision was required for procedures such as responding to a critical clinical emergency, performing tracheostomy care and suctioning, and chest tube care.

Meanwhile, more than 40% said they felt overwhelmed by ethical issues with responsibilities associated with patient care, whilst 37% had trouble managing a dying patient.

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In addition, 26% of respondents had difficulty prioritising the needs of multiple patients at any one time.

The study was conducted on more than 450 nurses associated with SingHealth institutions within two years after graduation, with either a local diploma or a bachelor’s degree. 

“We wanted to examine how to best help young graduate nurses adjust to their new roles as they transit to the workforce and this study highlighted the key challenging areas they encountered when they started work,” Lim Siew Hoon, Nurse Clinician, Division of Nursing, SGH, said.