ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the incidence of needle stick injuries of nursing students in different stages of clinical practice and occupational protective education to provide evidence for developing education strategies. Methods One hundred and forty-one nursing students were surveyed retrospectively by a self-designed questionnaire. Results A total of 75.9%(107/141) nursing students had been injured in clinical practice. The incidence of needle stick injuries varied in different stages of clinical practice. Compared with the middle and late stage of clinical practice, the incidence of needle stick injuries was highest in the early stage of clinical practice:53.9%(76/141) vs. 38.3%(54/141),7.8%(11/141),and there was significant difference, χ2=216.14, P<0.05.About 64.2%(88/141)-78.0%(110/141) nursing students had not received protective education on the needle stick injuries. Only 48.9%(69/141)-55.3%(78/141) of nursing students were given protective training on needle stick injuries in their practice hospitals. Before clinical practice, 63.1%(89/141) nursing students had not been vaccinated to prevent infective diseases. Conclusions To reduce the incidence of needle stick injuries and related potential risks of infection caused by injuries, it is necessary to strengthen pre-practice education on occupational protection among nursing students. Perfect supervision system should also be established in practice hospitals and clinic wards.