Effects of Nurse-Led Intervention on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Knowledge and Skills in a Private Hospital

Abstract

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical emergency intervention that improves survival in cardiac arrest, yet gaps in CPR knowledge and practical skills persist among nurses, particularly in private hospitals, due to inadequate training and limited hands-on exposure. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, nurse-led educational intervention in enhancing CPR knowledge and skills among nurses in a private hospital setting, with a focus on measurable improvements in knowledge, procedural competence, and clinical confidence. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was conducted among registered nurses (n = 40) at Ali Fatima Hospital, Lahore. Inclusion criteria comprised newly graduated nurses or those working in critical care/emergency departments; prior formal CPR training or previous nursing job experience were exclusionary. Data collection utilized a validated CPR knowledge questionnaire and skills checklist aligned with current American Heart Association guidelines. Ethical approval was secured from Green International University (in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki). Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using paired t-tests via SPSS v27, with a significance threshold of p < 0.01. Results: Mean knowledge scores improved from 58.2% pre-intervention to 85.6% post-intervention (p < 0.001), while skill scores increased from 52.4% to 88.1% (p < 0.001). All participants reported heightened confidence and clinical readiness. Conclusion: Nurse-led educational interventions significantly improve CPR knowledge, skills, and confidence among nurses in private hospitals, supporting routine integration of such programs to enhance patient outcomes in cardiac emergencies.