Hands on skill training regarding revised cardio pulmonary resuscitation guidelines on level of knowledge and competency among nursing officers working at Rural Tertiary Care Medical Teaching Hospital Kolar, Karnataka

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Prompt and high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is lifesaving in in-hospital cardiac arrest. For nursing officers, mastery of both current CPR knowledge and hands-on skills is essential to optimize patient outcomes, especially in resource-limited rural settings. This study evaluates the impact of structured, hands-on skill training on the knowledge base and competency levels of nursing officers in a rural tertiary-care teaching hospital. METHODS: A quasi-experimental one-group pretest posttest design was conducted among 60 nursing officers, randomly allocated into ten groups of six. A validated, structured questionnaire assessed theoretical knowledge, and a standardized observational checklist evaluated procedural competency. Baseline assessments were performed immediately before hands-on training in the revised CPR guidelines, followed by reassessment on day 14. Data were analyzed descriptively, and paired t-tests and Chi-square tests were employed to measure changes and explore associations; Pearson’s correlation determined the relationship between knowledge and competency scores. RESULTS: Post-training mean knowledge improved significantly from 15.48 ± 4.34 to 24.28 ± 4.00 ( P < 0.001), while competency scores rose from 16.95 ± 3.84 to 20.51 ± 4.55 ( P < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation was found between posttest knowledge and competency (r = 0.654, P < 0.01). Significantly higher knowledge gains were observed among nursing officers with greater clinical experience (χ 2 = 6.26, df = 2, P = 0.04), and competency improvement was more pronounced among junior staff compared to senior officers (χ 2 = 6.78, df = 1, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Structured hands-on training on revised CPR guidelines markedly enhances both theoretical knowledge and practical competency among nursing officers in rural healthcare settings. Integrating regular, skill-based refresher programs into institutional policy is recommended to sustain proficiency and ultimately improve patient survival in cardiac emergencies.