Original Article
Iranian Nurses’ Experience With Applying Information From Continuing Education Programs in Clinical Practice
Abstract
Background:
One goal of continuing education is to improve nurses’ performance and the quality of patient care. However, in most cases, nurses do not use the information gained through continuing education in the clinical environment. This study was conducted to explore nurses’ experiences with applying new knowledge obtained from these programs in clinical settings.
Methods:
This study used qualitative content analysis. Data were gathered through interviews with participants. After the interviews were transcribed, a coding process was used and continued until categories and subcategories were developed.
Results:
Five main categories emerged: (1) personal interest and self-confidence; (2) organizational structure and atmosphere; (3) professional nature; (4) opportunity to put education into practice; and (5) design of educational programs. Most of the nurses considered obligatory participation in these classes a way to gain annual educational upgrades.
Conclusion:
A considerable amount of the annual budget is allocated to continuing education. Therefore, the findings of this study, which described nurses’ experience with applying what they learned through continuing education in clinical practice, can offer valuable information to help managers improve continuing education programs and the application of new knowledge in the clinical environment.
J Contin Educ Nurs. 2013;44(12):564–572.
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