Nursing Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Infant Sleep Safety

• Published in: Teaching and learning in nursing 2017-10, Vol.12 (4), p.289-294
• Main Authors: Burgess, Adriane, Bell, Theodore, Cirelli, Jane, Clymer, Beverly J., Goodstein, Michael H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Education; Infant safe sleep; Maternal–Child nursing; Quantitative; Sudden infant death; Survey
• ISSN: 1557-3087; 1557-2013
• DOI: 10.1016/j.teln.2017.05.007

This study evaluated nursing students' knowledge and beliefs of current American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on Infant Safe Sleep (ISS). A questionnaire was distributed to accredited nursing programs. Responses were compared to evaluate student knowledge of safe sleep recommendations prior to and after pediatric/maternal child education. We reported that nursing students in associate's degree programs have significant gaps in their knowledge regarding ISS even after receiving training. In addition, associate's degree nursing students were less likely to agree with ISS guidelines and felt that their personal experiences as a parent or a caregiver were most helpful in learning about ISS. Curricula need to reflect the most recent evidence-based information on ISS so that students are adequately prepared to enter the workforce. •Sudden infant death syndrome is the third leading cause of all infant mortality.•Nurses are pivotal in providing families with education regarding safe sleep practices.•After education, only 10% of nursing students felt very familiar with ISS recommendations.•After education, 17% of nursing students still disagreed with some or all ISS recommendations.•After education, 43.3% of nursing students felt inadequately trained regarding ISS.