Cerebrovascular stroke (CVS) is the third leading cause of death in the United States of
America (USA), and the most common cause of long-term disability in adults. Experts estimate
up to 30% of all patients with stroke will deteriorate in the first 24 hours. This statistic supports
the need for intensive monitoring by nurses specifically trained in acute stroke care in intensive
care unit (ICU). Aim of this study: assess the effect of an educational program on nurses'
performance regarding caring for patients with cerebrovascular stroke in intensive care
unit.Research Design: A quazi experimental design was used. Setting: This study was conducted
in Emergency Medicine ICU, Geriatric ICU and Neurological ICU at Ain Shams University
Hospital. Study Subjects: A convenient sample of all available nurses (n =37 nurses) were
included in this study. Data collection tools: self-administered questionnaire sheet and nurses'
practice observational checklist. Results: the present study revealed that, most of the nurses had
got satisfactory level of performance (knowledge & practice) regarding caring of patients with
CVS pre the program implementation (8.1% and 10.8% respectively). Meanwhile most of the
study sample had got statistically significant improvement in their knowledge and practice
regarding caring of patients with CVS post program implementation (89.2% and 78.4%
respectively). While this improvement lowered slightly post 3 months at follow up (83.8% and
62.2% respectively). Conclusion: inadequacy of the nurses' performance regarding caring of
patients with CVS pre the program implementation. Meanwhile most of the study sample had got
statistically significant improvement in their performance post the program implementation;
while this improvement lowered slightly post 3 months at follow up. Recommendations: the
importance of establishing booklet guideline for neurointensive nurses caring of patients with
CVS based on evidence based practice.