Survey Reveals Registered Nurses Feel Underprepared to Address Antimicrobial Resistance

A survey released on March 24 by Sepsis Alliance shows that many registered nurses feel underprepared to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with fewer than one in 10 receiving formal education on the topic.

"The findings reveal that while nearly all—92 %—of registered nurses received some training on sepsis during nursing school, only two in three reported receiving training on AMR," the report stated. "Furthermore, AMR and sepsis training were often integrated into other classes, with only 13 percent of RNs having taken a dedicated sepsis course and a mere 9 percent having taken a class focused solely on AMR."

The survey, conducted by Radius Global Market Research, included 154 RNs from a variety of clinical settings. While most reported some form of sepsis education, the study points to a concerning gap in training specifically related to AMR, which is a growing threat in both community and hospital environments.

“Antimicrobial resistance and sepsis are inextricably linked,” said Thomas Heymann, president and CEO of Sepsis Alliance. “We must ensure nurses—who are often on the frontlines of patient care—are equipped with the education and tools they need to identify, prevent and manage both.”

More than 40% of nurses surveyed said their training on sepsis and AMR was inadequate. The report also highlighted a lack of ongoing education, with many RNs saying they had not received updated training on either topic in the last two years.

Heymann called for stronger inclusion of AMR education in nursing programs and continuing education: “Improving nurse training on antimicrobial resistance is not optional—it is essential for patient safety.”