Continuing Education Needs of Registered Nurses in Iowa Hospital Emergency Departments

The Communication Training Needs of Registered Nurses

The purpose of this study was to determine registered nurses' (RN) perceived levels of communication effectiveness and need for communication training. Results of the survey indicate that RNs view themselves as fairly effective in using most job-related communication skills except for performance appraisal interviewing, public speaking, and persuasion. The majority of RNs had received training in most communication skills, the exceptions being persuasion and employment interviewing. The two most prominent sources for this training were college and on-the-job training. The results also indicate that RNs believe a variety of communication skills, including presentational speaking, listening, persuasive speaking, group problem solving, leadership, and technical report writing, are important to their job performance. The majority of RNs thought they needed additional training in these skills and were willing to receive such training. Their preferences for receiving the instruction were in-house or industry-based training seminars and profession-sponsored continuing education programs.

Rural Nurses as Self-Directed Learners: Overcoming Obstacles to Continuing Education

Evaluation of a fieldtest of a self-directed learning (SDL) program included assessing rural nurses' self-perceived competencies in this method and loci of control for motivation. A significant negative relationship occurred between high scores for learner skills and internal motivation ratings. Sixty-two percent rated themselves above the mean as self-directed learners regardless of perceived loci of control in the stressful rural practice environment. SDL can offer an alternative way to meet continuing education needs of rural nurses in their efforts to overcome the many obstacles to professional growth in rural practice.

Reasons Why Emergency Nurses Take or Do Not Take the Certification Examination in Emergency Nursing

The purpose of this descriptive, exploratory study was to identify reasons that motivate the emergency nurse to take the Certification Exam for Emergency Nursing (CEN exam); reasons certified emergency nurses (CEN) give concerning their decisions to recertify; and a comparison of demographic characteristics in relation to these reasons. A random sample of 500 registered nurses who are currently members of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and who are working in the emergency department was obtained from the ENA. These nurses received a questionnaire packet containing a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study, a combined Educational Participation Scale (EPS) and Deterrents to Participation Scale (DPS), a personal data questionnaire, and a return envelope.