INTRODUCTION: Nursing work is characterized by a high psycho-physical workload linked to 24-hour shift patterns and constant exposure to suffering. Literature highlights that the transition from academia to clinical practice exposes newly graduated nurses to severe vulnerability (transition shock), resulting in high turnover rates in the early years of their careers. Developing a solid awareness of risks right from undergraduate training through "anticipatory knowledge" is therefore essential to promote the resilience and health of future professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This pre-post, quasi-experimental study involved 86 third-year students, divided into an Experimental Group (Track A: n=63 pre-test, n=60 post-test) and a subsidiary Control Group (Track B: n=23), which was used solely to validate the homogeneity of the initial baseline. The longitudinal study and the educational intervention (an evidence-based lecture and guided discussions) focused exclusively on Track A. The survey utilized a digital questionnaire structured into five sections, featuring both closed- and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were processed using Microsoft Excel, paired with content analysis for the qualitative component. RESULTS: Having confirmed the initial homogeneity of the tracks, the pre-test revealed a clear dichotomy: high awareness of acute risks during clinical placements, contrasted with a systematic underestimation of long-term biological risks caused by circadian dysregulation. Furthermore, the predominantly organizational origin of burnout was ignored in favor of individual self-blame, and compassion fatigue was almost unknown. The post-test of the experimental group recorded a significant shift toward full scientific awareness. Finally, the qualitative analysis revealed emotional and relational distress linked to suffering and conflicts, translating into a need for coping strategies, sleep hygiene, and the protection of rights. CONCLUSIONS: Field-based experience is not sufficient to generate a culture of occupational prevention. The effectiveness of the intervention highlights the need to permanently integrate Occupational Medicine into the university curriculum, providing future nurses with the tools to protect their health, reduce clinical errors, curb professional turnover, and ensure the sustainability of the National Health Service.
INTRODUZIONE: Il lavoro infermieristico è caratterizzato da un elevato carico psico-fisico legato alla turnistica h24 e alla costante esposizione alla sofferenza. La letteratura evidenzia come la transizione dall'ambiente accademico alla pratica esponga i neolaureati a una forte vulnerabilità (transition shock), con alti tassi di abbandono nei primi anni di carriera. Sviluppare una solida consapevolezza dei rischi sin dalla formazione di base attraverso la "conoscenza anticipatoria" è quindi indispensabile per promuovere la resilienza e la salute dei futuri professionisti. MATERIALI E METODI: Lo studio quasi-sperimentale "pre-post" ha coinvolto 86 studenti del terzo anno, suddivisi nel Gruppo Sperimentale (Canale A: n=63 pre-test, n=60 post-test) e in un Gruppo di Controllo sussidiario (Canale B: n=23), utilizzato solo per validare l'omogeneità della baseline iniziale. Lo studio longitudinale e l'intervento formativo (lezione frontale evidence-based e discussioni guidate) si sono concentrati esclusivamente sul Canale A. L'indagine ha impiegato un questionario digitale strutturato in cinque sezioni con quesiti a risposta chiusa e aperta. I dati quantitativi sono stati elaborati con Microsoft Excel, affiancati dall'analisi del contenuto per la parte qualitativa. RISULTATI: Confermata l'omogeneità iniziale dei canali, il pre-test ha mostrato una netta dicotomia: alta consapevolezza dei rischi acuti del tirocinio, a fronte di una sistematica sottostima dei rischi biologici a lungo termine da disregolazione circadiana. Inoltre, l'origine organizzativa del burnout veniva ignorata a favore di una colpevolizzazione individuale, e la compassion fatigue risultava quasi sconosciuta. Il post-test del gruppo sperimentale ha registrato uno spostamento significativo verso la piena consapevolezza scientifica. Infine, l'analisi qualitativa ha svelato disagi emotivo-relazionali legati alla sofferenza e ai conflitti, traducendosi nel bisogno di strategie di coping, igiene del sonno e tutela dei diritti. CONCLUSIONI: L'esperienza sul campo non è sufficiente a generare una cultura della prevenzione occupazionale. L'efficacia dell'intervento evidenzia la necessità di integrare stabilmente la Medicina del Lavoro nella formazione universitaria, fornendo ai futuri infermieri gli strumenti per proteggere la propria salute, ridurre l'errore clinico, contenere l'abbandono professionale e garantire la sostenibilità del Sistema Sanitario Nazionale.
LA CONOSCENZA DEI RISCHI PROFESSIONALI TRA GLI STUDENTI DI INFERMIERISTICA: UNO STUDIO OSSERVAZIONALE
CARRISI, CLARISSA
2025/2026
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nursing work is characterized by a high psycho-physical workload linked to 24-hour shift patterns and constant exposure to suffering. Literature highlights that the transition from academia to clinical practice exposes newly graduated nurses to severe vulnerability (transition shock), resulting in high turnover rates in the early years of their careers. Developing a solid awareness of risks right from undergraduate training through "anticipatory knowledge" is therefore essential to promote the resilience and health of future professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This pre-post, quasi-experimental study involved 86 third-year students, divided into an Experimental Group (Track A: n=63 pre-test, n=60 post-test) and a subsidiary Control Group (Track B: n=23), which was used solely to validate the homogeneity of the initial baseline. The longitudinal study and the educational intervention (an evidence-based lecture and guided discussions) focused exclusively on Track A. The survey utilized a digital questionnaire structured into five sections, featuring both closed- and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were processed using Microsoft Excel, paired with content analysis for the qualitative component. RESULTS: Having confirmed the initial homogeneity of the tracks, the pre-test revealed a clear dichotomy: high awareness of acute risks during clinical placements, contrasted with a systematic underestimation of long-term biological risks caused by circadian dysregulation. Furthermore, the predominantly organizational origin of burnout was ignored in favor of individual self-blame, and compassion fatigue was almost unknown. The post-test of the experimental group recorded a significant shift toward full scientific awareness. Finally, the qualitative analysis revealed emotional and relational distress linked to suffering and conflicts, translating into a need for coping strategies, sleep hygiene, and the protection of rights. CONCLUSIONS: Field-based experience is not sufficient to generate a culture of occupational prevention. The effectiveness of the intervention highlights the need to permanently integrate Occupational Medicine into the university curriculum, providing future nurses with the tools to protect their health, reduce clinical errors, curb professional turnover, and ensure the sustainability of the National Health Service.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12075/27132