A cost-benefit analysis of training nurses for extended roles

This study uses a questionnaire to assess the costs and benefits of a course to teach the extended roles of cannulation, venepuncture and intravenous drug administration. The course had a positive influence on nurses' uptake of venepuncture and IV drug administration, but not cannulation. The cost of 916 pounds to successfully train a single nurse in all three practices leads to the suggestion that the criteria for selecting nurses for the extended role are revised in order to achieve an improved cost-benefit ratio and methods for sustaining the newly acquired knowledge should be developed.