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Occupational health nurses' educational needs: what do they want?
Thomas A Mackey1, Frank L Cole, Susan Parnell
1Occupational Health for Nurses Program, University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Nursing, Houston, TX, USA.
Summary
Many occupational health nurses desire further education, but face significant barriers. Long distances and cost are the primary obstacles preventing nurses from pursuing graduate degrees.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Understanding educational needs of occupational health nurses is limited.
- Key factors influencing their professional development require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess graduate and continuing education preferences among occupational health nurses.
- To identify barriers to advanced education for these nurses.
- To determine the educational needs within a five-state region (Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma).
Main Methods:
- A survey questionnaire was distributed to occupational health nurses across five southwestern states.
- Data were collected from 256 returned questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 21.8%.
Main Results:
- A significant portion (43.8%) expressed interest in pursuing a graduate degree in occupational health nursing.
- Employer encouragement for advanced degrees was moderate (48.8%), with limited financial incentives (33.2%).
- The primary impediments identified were distance from educational institutions (56.3%) and financial constraints (37.9%).
Conclusions:
- Occupational health nurses show a strong interest in higher education, indicating a need for accessible programs.
- Employer support and financial assistance are crucial for overcoming educational barriers.
- Addressing geographical and financial impediments is essential to enhance the occupational health nursing workforce.