Why Do Nurses Participate in Continuing Education? A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

In order to explain why nurses participate in continuing education, a meta-analysis of 22 studies was conducted. All of the studies examined the relationship between several independent variables from the Urbano and Jahns' model and nurses' participation in continuing nursing education (CNE). This study supported the Urbano and Jahns' proposition that motivational orientation influences participation, while other factors, such as demographics and educational opportunity, may mediate the degree of that influence.

Effectiveness of continuing education programmes in nursing: literature review

“…Turner (1991) reported that nurses cited personal satisfaction, joy of learning, increased knowledge of new techniques and self‐assurance as benefits gained from continuing education. In a meta‐analysis of 22 studies on why nurses participate in continuing education, Waddell (1993) indicated that motivational orientation was the major reason nurses participated in continuing education programmes. Although external pressures such as recertification, relicensure and employer expectations featured highly in this study, they were marginally surpassed by cognitive interest, i.e.…”

Nurses' Attitudes Toward Continuing Formal Education:A Comparison by Level of Education and Geography

“…While most studies concluded that motivation and attitude affect participation in, and the outcomes of, education (Steginga et al, 2005), only two studies found nurses to have positive attitudes toward continuing education (Hughes; Roche). In Waddell's (1993) meta-analysis of 22 studies, motivational orientations explained 46 percent of the variation in RN participation. When level of education and attitudes were evaluated together, nurses with lower initial educational levels participated less and had poorer attitudes toward education (Alquraini, Alhashem, Shah, & Chowdhury, 2007;Penz et al, 2007;Roche, 1990).…”

Continuing education among Chinese nurses: A general hospital-based study

“…Earlier studies have addressed and analyzed these same issues (Tame, 2011; Chong et al, 2011; Flores and Alonso Castillo, 2006). Findings showed that the most prominent factors motivating nurses to enroll in CE were their desire to upgrade their professional skills and knowledge, to remain current in their professional practices and to improve their ability to serve the patients (Muthu, 2006; Kristjanson and Scanlon, 1989; Waddell, 1993). In addition, a study of 164 nurses reported that the support of supervisors, the availability of suitable CE programs and the encouragement of their peers were the main motivating factors encouraging them to engage in CE (Glass and Todd-Atkinson, 1999).…”