Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Background: Rapid changes and development of the health care system evoke the necessitation of professional health caregiver to always be updated. In 2011, the IOM and other nursing institutes performed a statement, that continuing learning among nurses is an imperative category. Literature review regarding nurses’ habits and motivation for self updating and continuing learning, are few and sometimes even contradict. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the importance and responsibility that community and oncology nurses relate to self learning during their daily work. Tools & Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on nurses from cancer center and from the community. The questioner had 2 parts: demographic (13 items) and learning (10 items). Most items based on 5 degree Likert scale. Results: SPSS version 21 was used for findings analysis. Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.728, and Chi Square test was used for group differences analysis. 72 responders answered the questioner (66%). Average age was 42.8, 87.5% women, 67.3% among oncology center and 75% among community nurses had advance course, 70% and 82.7% (respectively) had an academic degree. 91% of all responders believe that they have the responsibility for self updating and 94% believe that they have the appropriate skills for that, but only 64.8% said they read more than 3 articles at the past year and 45% reported that they turn to electronic library by self initiative rarely. Only 18% reported about often turning to electronic library and not even one as routine. At multi variance analysis there was significant negative correlation between those of 100% hours vs. partial regard to self learning habits like reading articles, and participation at conferences or courses. No correlation was found between academic degree or advance course and self learning among all participants. Conclusions: Although 79.2% of responders had academic degree, and most of them believe they are responsible for their continuing learning. This study didn’t reveal any evidence for academic studies as contributing factor for continuing learning among nurses. These study findings are not differing from some other studies, and it raise a huge question regard to nurses education and motivation for self-update as professional caregivers.

Biography

Tal Granot has completed her Master in Nursing in 2014, Master of Philosophy in 1994-1989 and Baccalaureate in Philosophy in 1986-1989. She worked as Nurse in the Breast Cancer Ambulatory Unit, Institute of Oncology, Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Israel in 2005. Her responsibilities include: guide women before and after chemotherapy, manage oral chemotherapy clinic, coordinate during crisis issues, and promote learning and research among nurses in the oncology center. She is a Senior Partner in the IONS for oral therapy nursing care, Senior Partner in National Committee regarding job development of expertise oncology nurses in the ambulatory setting and Senior Partner at the process of clinical safety standards guidelines development in Davidoff Cancer Center.

Email: talg@einat.org.il