Assessment of nurses' attitudes and knowledge regarding pain management.
BACKGROUND
RNs in North Carolina were surveyed to determine their current knowledge and to determine if educational preparation, practice setting, or clinical specialty influenced their knowledge levels and attitudes.


METHODS
A stratified random sample of 1,000 practicing RNs in North Carolina were surveyed using the Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Instrument developed by McCaffery and Ferrell.


RESULTS
The mean score was 64.58 based on the percentage of correct responses from the 260 subjects who participated. No statistically significant difference was found in scores based on educational preparation, practice setting, or clinical specialty.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study support the concern of inadequate knowledge and inappropriate attitudes regarding pain management. It reveals the need for intensive continuing education and staff development.
Brown
S T
ST
Department of Adult Health Nursing, East Carolina University, School of Nursing, Greenville, North Carolina 27858-4353, USA.
Bowman
J M
JM
Eason
F R
FR
D000328:Adult; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D009740:Nursing Staff; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*