Authors (including presenting author) :
LIU YK (1), CHAU LT(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Nursing Services Division, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Nursing workforce has been challenged during the times of COVID-19 pandemic, incorporating nursing students to join the workforce is beneficial as they can relieve workload of frontline nurses by being called to work on clinical demand. However, equipping the nursing students with updated infection control precautions and basic clinical practice is essential. A tailored-made Induction program for temporary university nursing students (TUNS) was organized in 2022 to empower them as part of clinical team.
Objectives :
Objectives (i) Equip TUNS with COVID-19 related knowledge and infection precaution measures; (ii) Enhance basic clinical skills and knowledge of TUNS; (iii) Familiarize TUNS with immediate nursing actions on change of patients’ condition
Methodology :
An Induction program with 8 identical classes was conducted for HKEC TUNS during Jan to June 2022. The program consisted of three domains: Part 1: Infection Control Assessment on Personal Protective Equipment and hand hygiene Part 2: Online self-study pre-assessment Part 3: half-day interactive Zoom Training included scenario-based discussion, demonstration of medical equipment, collection of common specimens, prevention and management on fall, pressure injury cases, precautions on application of physical restrainers, and incidents sharing. A post-evaluation was collected after the completion of the training.
Result & Outcome :
A total number of 366 TUNS had joined the training program before they reported duty. The response rate was 100%. 94 % of the TUNS responded that different cases such as choking patients, hemodynamic unstable patients were discussed at the scenario-based discussions in which enabled them to think critically about nursing management of change of patients’ condition, and reinforced them to put knowledge into practice. Comments such as “scenario discussion is interesting and allowed more involvement” were received. Moreover, it helped them to get better understanding of COVID-19 hospital measures and updated clinical practice. According to infection control assessment performed in the workshop, and online self-study assessment, it was evident the TUNS had been updated with infection control measures such as hand hygiene practice, special precautions for oral hygiene care, oral feeding of patients, skills of collection of specimens. 98% of TUNS responded that the program was useful to their work and could familiar with high-risk nursing procedures and scope of practice in HKEC hospitals. In conclusion, the program was successful and could empower TUNS as important workforce.
