Building on what you know

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Professional Development
• Continuing Competence

Background:

• Nurses require effective preparation strategies for specialty certification exams.
• The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) offers voluntary national nursing specialty credentials.
• Study groups are a recognized strategy for exam preparation and professional networking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To support nurses preparing for Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification exams through study groups.
• To develop a study group resource manual based on feedback from certified nurses, participants, facilitators, and stakeholders.
• To explore nurses' experiences within study groups and their perceived value.

Main Methods:

• Gathering feedback from certified nurses, study group participants, facilitators, and key stakeholders.
• Utilizing a nursing leadership conceptual model to frame the project development.
• Analyzing qualitative insights into nurses' study group experiences.

Main Results:

• Nurses identified study groups as an effective learning strategy.
• Study groups were recognized as valuable for professional networking opportunities.
• The project evolved to focus on nurses' lived experiences in study groups.

Conclusions:

• Study groups provide a valuable platform for knowledge acquisition and professional connection among nurses.
• The project underscored the importance of peer support and networking in professional development.
• Continuing competence in nursing is supported by collaborative learning and networking initiatives.