Abstract

What factors influence decision making by graduate nurses initiating medication?

Author(s): Miss Loretta J Garvey,

Aims & Objectives: The aim was to identify the educational, human and organisational factors, which contribute to decision support for nurses in their graduate year. The objective was to provide information for future support in medication management for graduate nurses.

Design: A quantitative analysis of data from a retrospective, exploratory study.

Method: An anonymous survey of graduate nurses in a convenience sample was undertaken. Data collection was at a single point, 9 months into a 12 month graduate program. The survey sought to identify what factors, if any, contribute to graduate nurses’ decision-making, for nurse initiated medication. A comparison was made between graduates on 11 different wards in 3 hospitals of an Australian Health Care Network.

Results: The study reveals the positive influence of both human and organisational support for nurses initiating medication and it validates previous research findings.

Conclusion: The findings of this study inform a so far poorly researched area of nursing and highlight the need for further exploration of graduates and their decision-making in medication management.