Factors contributing to needle stick injuries among new registered nurses at a hospital in Trinidad

Background: Newly educated RNs are vulnerable to needle stick injuries (NSIs). Most needle stick injuries occur during practice and associated with nurses' practice and available resources.

Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive study. Registered nurses (N = 120) with less than three years' experience. Data collected using a 26-item questionnaire among newly registered nurses. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using (SPSS) version 20.

Results: Most of the nurses between the ages 20-30 years (49.7%), were female (73.4%), had 2 to <3 years' experience (44.2%) and experienced a needle stick injury (43.3%). Respondents knew about the policies on standard precautions but their practice was not compliant with safe practices. Adherence was associated with knowledge of policies on standard precautions (r. = 534, p < .01), having updated policies (r = .404, p < .01) and the appropriate use of resources (r. = 805, p < .01).

Conclusion: There are a number of factors that contribute to NSIs among newly registered nurses which are personal as well as structural. Avoidable practices such as non-adherence to standard precautions while using hypodermic needles contributed to NSIs. Mandatory training and evaluation of nurses' knowledge and attitude regarding safety practices should be examined.