Factors influencing glove use in student nurses.

BACKGROUND

Gloves can prevent infection but their use among student nurses is inconsistent.

AIM: To explore pre-registration student nurses' views of non-sterile glove use in clinical practice.

METHOD: An online survey was conducted and focus groups carried out among third-year student nurses.

RESULTS

The online survey showed that gloves were often worn inappropriately, while the focus groups revealed students conformed to their mentors' use of gloves.

DISCUSSION: Student nurses' decisions on wearing gloves seem to be based on the culture of the clinical care environment rather than trust policy. Glove overuse deprives patients of therapeutic touch and may lead to contact dermatitis in nurses.

CONCLUSION

All student nurses must be able to identify clinical situations when gloves are not indicated, using appropriate risk assessment.