Effects of Education on Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes of Pain Management in a Postoperative Cardiovascular Unit

Background: This project explores the impact of an educational in-service on nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward pain on a postoperative cardiovascular unit. Method: A convenience sample of nurses employed on the postoperative cardiovascular intensive care unit (n = 82) were asked to participate in this project, with 74 nurses attending the in-service training. Surveys that were 70% complete were used for analysis (preeducation, n = 22; posteducation, n = 24). Results: The results from this project demonstrated that the use of a brief educational in-service is effective and efficient in increasing nurses' knowledge and attitudes related to pain management in this group of nurses. Posteducation survey scores were significantly higher than preeducation survey scores (p < .001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that a brief educational in-service on pain management can improve nurses' knowledge and attitudes on pain management in this postoperative cardiovascular unit.