Influencing factors of pain management knowledge and attitudes among emergency nurses in China: a cross-sectional study

Background/Objective Effective pain management in emergency department depends on nurses having both adequate knowledge and a positive attitude. This study aims to evaluate the factors influencing the knowledge and attitude toward pain management among emergency department nurses. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a survey was conducted among 345 nurses working in the emergency department in China using the Wenjuanxin platform. Data were collected using a demographic information checklist and two standardized questionnaires: the Emergency Room Staff Pain Management Knowledge Questionnaire (ER-SPMKQ), and the Nurses’ Attitude Survey (NAS). The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between emergency department nurses’ pain management knowledge, their attitudes, and baseline characteristics. Results A total of 345 nurses from the emergency department were included in the study. The mean scores for the ER-SPMKQ (Cronbach’s α = 0.716; KMO = 0.751, χ 2 = 1293.854, p < 0.001) and NAS (Cronbach’s α = 0.719; KMO = 0.839, χ 2 = 2921.131, p < 0.001) were 69.94 ± 17.67 and 62.86 ± 5.59, respectively. Among the participants, 42.90% had good knowledge, while 12.79% exhibited a highly positive attitude, and 86.67% demonstrated a moderate attitude toward pain management. Nurses with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, as well as those working in the emergency intensive care unit (EICU), displayed higher levels of knowledge (all p < 0.05). Additionally, nurses with higher educational backgrounds also exhibited more favorable attitudes toward pain management ( p = 0.039). Conclusion Although nurses in the emergency department have a favorable attitude toward pain management, there remains a gap in their knowledge of pain management. Continuous training and organized workshops are needed to further enhance their ability to manage pain in patients. Nurses with higher levels of education and those working in the EICU demonstrate a more profound understanding of pain management. Moreover, nurses with higher educational backgrounds also exhibit more favorable attitudes toward pain management.