Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating Clinicians' Adoption of Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Cannulation Through Simulation Training
Published on: August 9, 2024
Survey with content analysis to explore nurses' satisfaction with opportunities to undertake continuing professional
Dinah Gould1, Clare Hawker2, Jane Chudleigh1
1City, University of London, London, UK.
Background:
Aseptic technique is a key skill undertaken every day by large numbers of nurses. However, there is relatively little empirical evidence to underpin practice. Furthermore, it is not clear to what extent it should be considered a single task or a set of principles to be applied differentially depending upon the situation and how individual nurses make this decision.
Objective:
This study explored nurses' experiences of continuing professional education (CPE) in relation to aseptic technique.
Design:
A national survey was undertaken throughout the United Kingdom. Responses were subjected to inductive quantitative content analysis.
Participants:
Participants were recruited via an electronic link placed on the website of a major nursing organisation.
Results:
941 nurses responded. 253 (26.9%) were satisfied with arrangements for continuing professional education. Satisfaction was associated with a perception of good support from employers, sound preparation before qualifying and practising aseptic technique regularly. 311 (33%) were dissatisfied. Reasons included witnessing unwarranted variations in practice (n = 55, 5.8%), witnessing suboptimal practice requiring correction (65, 6.9%), a perception that standards had fallen through a decline in pre-registration preparation (n = 109, 11.6%) and opportunities for updating (n = 124, 13.2%). Some employers had introduced training in conjunction with organisation-wide change in practice. In other cases participants reported receiving updates when required to perform a new procedure, when moving between clinical specialities or changing employer. Train-the-trainer (cascade) teaching was used in formal and informal arrangements for updating.
Conclusion:
This study provides a springboard for exploring arrangements for updating and assessing nurses' competence to undertake aseptic technique. Health providers need to evaluate what is currently provided and address gaps in provision. There is clear evidence that the current system does not meet the needs of many nurses.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Asepsis
01:22The Professional Nurse
Communication skills: These are critical characteristics, especially speaking and listening.
01:20Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching III: Evaluation and Documentation
Nurses can use several methods to evaluate patient outcomes. For example, oral questions can assess cognitive learning,...
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
01:30National Nursing Organizations II
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...
01:28Current Trends in Nursing I