Reasons for nonparticipation in continuing nursing education

The purpose of this study was to identify the dimensions underlying the reasons given by nurses for not participating in continuing education activities. Data were collected through a 50-item questionnaire mailed to a stratified random sample of nurses who had not completed any credit course since entering practice. Application of exploratory factor analytic procedures revealed eight conceptually interpretable dimensions. Results indicate that nonparticipant nurses were influenced primarily by attitudinal (e.g. lack of perceived need) and situational variables (e.g. time constraints due to work) rather than by those associated with continuing education sponsors.