Impact evaluation of a statewide continuing education program.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Case Management

Background:

• Continuing education is crucial for maintaining and enhancing nursing skills.
• Nurse case managers require specialized knowledge and skills to effectively manage patient care.
• Assessing the impact of educational interventions is vital for program improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a statewide continuing education program for nurse case managers.
• To measure changes in knowledge and perceived competency among nurse participants.
• To determine if continuing education impacts professional nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• A pre/posttreatment design was employed.
• Three instruments were used: a demographic questionnaire, precognitive and postcognitive assessments, and the Competency Behaviors of the Case Managers Inventory (CBCMI).
• Data from 57 nurse participants were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant difference (p < .0001) was observed in knowledge and perceived performance.
• Participants showed marked improvement in case management knowledge and skills.
• The continuing education program demonstrated a positive impact on participants' competency.

Conclusions:

• Statewide continuing education programs can effectively enhance nurse case managers' knowledge and skills.
• Professional development through education positively influences nursing practice and performance.
• Investments in continuing nursing education yield measurable improvements in healthcare delivery.