Abstract:  Nursing Student’s Experiences with Needlestick Injuries

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of needle sticks among nursing students at a small liberal arts university and evaluate the circumstances around this situation.  The study was conducted by 12 junior and senior nursing students and their instructor.  After giving informed consent, 99 of the 102 (97%) nursing students completed an online survey regarding needlesticks they had incurred and the surrounding conditions.  Students from the second sophomore semester forward were included in the study because this is when exposure to the clinical hazards of needle sticks starts in this program.  Of the students surveyed, nine reported having experienced a needle stick, but only seven of those were in the student role at the time of the incident.  Surprisingly, none of the injuries were reported to agency personnel.  Findings suggest that annual education about the incidence, risks and policies regarding needlesticks should be provided to both clinical instructors and nursing students.