Factors impeding or helping continuing education : an exploration of post qualification nurses' participation in continuing education within St. Luke's Hospital.

Abstract

Although there has been a marked improvement in the last few years concerning local continuing nursing education, this sector is still in its early development and some difficulties might still be encountered. The aim of this research study was to explore the views of nurses working in St. Luke's hospital regarding their participation in continuing education. It also sought to determine the factors helping and impeding these nurses in participating in continuing education. Through simple random sampling, 120 self-report questionnaires were distributed to nurses working in different wards and departments within St. Luke's hospital. A response rate of 83.3% (100) was achieved. Analysis of the results was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results suggest that participants in this study have, in general, a positive regard towards continuing education. They also have a good idea of the meaning of continuing education. Respondents are quite aware of current continuing education programmes being offered by the Institute of Health Care and on the whole prefer short-term courses. Although the majority of continuing education offerings are free, problems to attend such programmes are evident, especially the difficulties these nurses face to be released from their place of work to attend such courses. Other deterrents like 'family commitment' and 'lack of time' are also evident. The attendance for continuing education programmes by nurses is encouraging and it appears that it is easier for managerial staff to be granted study leave to attend continuing education courses than junior staff However, a number of nurses have not attended any course at all. A number of recommendations are therefore being forwarded aimed at hospital administrators, practitioners and educators alike. It is also recommended that other studies be conducted in order to explore, in greater depth, various aspects which emerged from this research study.