Nursing Students' Experiences of Observing the Use of Physical Restraints: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of final-year undergraduate nursing students in observing the use of physical restraints on patients in the course of clinical practice. Methods: Three focus group interviews were conducted with 12 Korean nursing students who could provide sufficient information about their observation of physical restraints. The collected data was analyzed through conventional content analysis. Results: The data were classified into four theme clusters, and nine themes. The four theme clusters included 'recognized as an unavoidable means,' 'experienced problems with the use of physical restraints,' 'realized the importance of the nurse's role and efforts,' and 'aspire to learn about correct use of physical restraints.' While nursing students recognized the necessities and problems of using physical restraints in clinical practice, and the importance of nurses' role and effort, the results found that education related to the use of physical restraints should be more systematic within the nursing curriculum. Conclusion: This study highlights the necessity of educating nursing students to ensure they acquire accurate knowledge and awareness regarding the use of physical restraints, and suggests the inclusion of systematic guidelines through simulation or extracurricular activities.