ORCID

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study were to explore the experience and psychological impact of sustaining a sharps injury within a nursing student population in the UK. Design: A qualitative approach was taken, using two methods to gather data, namely a Twitter chat and interviews. Methods: A Twitter chat was orchestrated to investigate the experiences of sharps injury with nursing students and registered nurses nationwide (n=71). Interviews were conducted with nursing students from a university in the UK who had sustained a sharps injury (n=12) to discover their experiences and the impact of the injury. Findings were then synthesised and examined. Results: Some nursing students reported psychological impacts after sustaining the sharps injury, which affected both their professional and personal life. The qualitative findings were synthesised into eight themes. Conclusion: Sharps injuries can have many psychological impacts on the individual nursing student and necessary support should be available.

DOI

10.12968/bjon.2021.30.15.910

Publication Date

2021-08-12

Publication Title

British Journal of Nursing

Volume

30

Issue

15

First Page

910

Last Page

918

ISSN

0966-0461

Embargo Period

2021-11-06

Organisational Unit

School of Nursing and Midwifery

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