Citation

Graves JM, Klein TA. Workplace Health Saf. 2016; 64(9): 404-413.

Affiliation

Washington State University Vancouver.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Publisher SAGE Publications)

DOI

10.1177/2165079916653612

PMID

27282977

Abstract

This study examined nurse practitioners' (NPs) previous experiences and comfort levels in treating adolescents with work-related injuries in two states where NPs have statutory authority to treat work-related injuries. The authors surveyed all actively licensed NPs in Washington and Oregon (N = 4,849). Factors associated with NPs' previous experiences and comfort in treating adolescents with work-related injuries were identified using modified Poisson regression. Less than a quarter of respondents (21.1%, n = 225) reported having ever treated an adolescent for a work-related injury. Nearly half (43.6%) of respondents reported being uncomfortable or very uncomfortable in treating adolescents with work-related injuries. Previous experience and male gender were associated with greater likelihood of feeling comfortable (p <.01). Nurse practitioners serve as primary care providers for adolescents who may experience work-related injuries. This study documents the need for developing educational and outreach efforts to better prepare NPs to treat adolescents' work-related injuries.

© 2016 The Author(s).

Language: en