Knowledge and psychomotor skills of nursing students in North Cyprus in the area of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge and skill levels of nursing students in North Cyprus. Methods: The study design was quasi-experimental and longitudinal. A questionnaire was applied to the students before the CPR lecture. Then the students were informed about adult CPR by the researchers and all of the students practiced CPR on a Resusci-Anne manikin. One and six months after this training the same questionnaire and skills checklist of CPR were applied. Results: Eighty three third year students of nursing participated in the study. While the average CPR knowledge score of these students was 9.3 +/- 2.9 out of 23 before the lecture, this average increased to 17.0 +/- 1.8 one month after the CPR lecture and decreased by two points back to 14.9 +/- 3.8 after six months. Skill score of the students one month after the CPR skills training was 18.4 out of 21, and that this average decreased to 13.8 after six months (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Nursing students tend to forget theoretical and applied CPR training after couple of months. Hence there is a need for continuous CPR training and education and repeating the skills at regular intervals even after they have graduated to ensure sustainability in the CPR skills.