Perceptions of Continuing Nursing Education in Korea

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Quality
• Professional Development

Background:

• Limited empirical research exists on nurses' views of continuing nursing education (CNE) and its impact on service quality.
• This study addresses the gap by investigating nurses' perceptions and challenges related to CNE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' perceptions and experiences with continuing nursing education.
• To identify challenges and educational needs associated with CNE programs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 17 nurses with over 2 years of experience from three South Korean university hospitals.
• Data collected through demographic questionnaires and focus group interviews.
• Phenomenological content analysis applied to interview data.

Main Results:

• Nurses expressed ambivalent feelings and a sense of burden regarding CNE completion.
• Perceptions of CNE programs included both perceived benefits and encountered problems.
• Identified educational needs emphasized relevance to clinical practice and reflection of participants' needs.

Conclusions:

• Nurses' experiences with CNE are complex, involving mixed feelings and practical challenges.
• There is a need for CNE programs that better align with clinical practice and individual nurse needs.
• Further expanded qualitative research is recommended to explore nurses' CNE experiences more deeply.