Knowledge and Practices of Intensive Care Unit Nurses Regarding Early Mobilization of PostCardiac Surgery Patients

Background: Early mobilization (EM) after cardiac surgery is critical for reducing postoperative complications and promoting functional recovery. Nurses are central to implementing EM, but a gap often exists between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. Aim of the study: To assess intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding EM of post-cardiac surgery patients and to association between nurses’ knowledge and practices EM and their demographic and professional characteristics. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aswan Heart Centre (AHC), Egypt. Setting: The study was conducted at the adult ICU of the AHC, Egypt. Subjects: A convenience sample of all available ICU nurses (n = 46) who were involved in the postoperative care of cardiac surgery patients during the data collection period. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection: Tool I was a structured knowledge questionnaire designed to assess nurses’ knowledge regarding EM principles, patient assessment, safety precautions, monitoring, and complication management. Tool II was an observational practice checklist used to evaluate nurses’ clinical practices during EM procedures. Results: Most nurses demonstrated high knowledge (95.7%) and good practice (91.3%). The mean knowledge score was 17.83 ± 1.60 (range: 14–20), and the mean practice score was 19.78 ± 1.79 (range: 16–23). A weak but statistically significant positive correlation was observed between knowledge and practice (ρ = 0.296, p = 0.046), indicating a knowledge–practice gap. Independent t-tests showed that practice scores were significantly higher among female nurses (p = 0.026), nurses with prior EM training (p = 0.028), and those with more ICU experience (p = 0.010), while demographic variables had no significant effect on knowledge scores. Conclusion: ICU nurses at the tertiary cardiac center demonstrated high knowledge and generally competent EM practice, but theoretical knowledge alone did not ensure consistent implementation. Prior EM training and ICU experience were the strongest determinants of practical performance. Structured training programs, clinical mentorship, standardized protocols, and institutional support are recommended to enhance sustainable EM practices.