Continuing Education in Nursing

Mr. Sathish. R. M.Sc (N)

Lecturer, BKIN – Daudhar.

History of Continuing Education in Nursing“Let us never consider ourselves as finished

nurses…..We must be learning all our lives”

-Florence Nightingale The idea of continuing education in nursing is as

old as organized nursing, but the concept of lifelong learning for the practitioner has developed slowly

The history of continuing education in nursing has shown that educational institutions generally have been slow to accept responsibility for assisting the practitioner who wishes to add to her nursing knowledge and skill

Need Rapid technological advances related to knowledge

explosion have greatly altered the practice of nursing The gap between scientific knowledge and its application

grows wider each year as a result of multiple influences Elimination of certain illnesses, particularly the

communicable diseases New drugs to cure some illnesses and alter the course of

many Surgeries are being performed successfully in areas that

would not have been attempted 10-20 years ago Organ transplants are no more a novelty Complex and intricate machinery can extend lives All these advances require more highly skilled nursing

care in a great variety of settings Continuing education is an accepted way of life

Nurses and Continuing Education Are Nurses exception? In fact we lagged behind Certain exceptional nurses have always been

self-directed learners

Once a Nurse, always a Nurse? “some continuation training in service for

nurses would promote the well-being of the nation”

Major reason for continuing education in nursing: the improvement in professional practice

Life-long learning in nursing relates not only to professional practice but also to the development of the person as an individual and as a responsible citizen

Charles Judd AJN (1928)

Definitions “Continuing education is any extension of

opportunities for reading, study and training to young persons and adults following their completion of or withdrawal from full-time school and college programs”

Dictionary of Education

Adult Education The terms Continuing Education and Adult

Education are often used interchangeably

Continuing Nursing Education “Educational activities primarily designed to

keep registered nurses abreast of their particular field of interest and do not lead to any formal advanced standing in the profession”

Nursing Thesaurus of the International Nursing Index

In-service Education “Planned instructional or training program

provided by an employing agency in the employment setting and is designed to increase competence in a specific area”

In-service Education is one aspect of continuing education, but the terms are not interchangeable

Continuing Professional Development

Types Orientation to introduce new recruits to the

basic aspects of the job so that they can perform their job effectively

Continuing education for the improvement of knowledge, skills and attitudes

Management skills and leadership training Staff development program is directed

toward expanding to the fullest all the potentials of an individual

Individual Interest Promotion Programs Future Oriented Programs to prepare learners

for the future activities

The Planning Formula

Stages

Analysis Analyze needs Goals Priorities Resources Constraints and Alternate delivery systems Determine scope and sequence of training

program (by task and job analysis)

DesignEmphasizes what will be taught Determine training approach Develop learning objectives Performance measures Training program specifications

DevelopmentEmphasizes on how the content will be

taught Develop curriculum guide Lesson plan Supportive teaching aids Revise material

Implementation Implement training plan Conduct training Formative evaluation Document training results

Evaluation Conduct summative evaluation Analyze collected information Initiate corrective action

Benefits of Continuing Nursing Education

Content Areas

Learning Learning continues through out life and is

called “lifelong learning” From “womb” to “tomb” Learning makes life easier, fuller longer and

more enjoyable Learning has practical purpose

In-service Educator Public Relations Educational

Preparation with emphasis on Adult Education

The Continuing Educator as a Continuing Learner

Clinical Knowledge and Skill

Working with Adults

Broad Knowledge Base

Concern for People

Determination Self-confidence Zest for life Innate curiosity Love for

adventure Desire to search

the unknown Flexibility Creativity Resourcefulness