Nurses retrospective view on nursing education: A repeated cross-sectional study over three decades

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Transformation
• Professional Development

Background:

• Healthcare is rapidly evolving, necessitating updated nursing education.
• There is limited research on nurses' retrospective evaluations of their education post-professional immersion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine nurses' evaluations of their educational background over 30 years.
• To identify relationships between these assessments and demographic factors.

Main Methods:

• Recurrent cross-sectional survey design with data collected in 1999, 2009, and 2021.
• Involved 832 nurses with at least one year of experience in Estonian general hospitals.
• Utilized descriptive and correlational analyses of survey data.

Main Results:

• A progressive improvement in the educational caliber of nurses was observed across the evaluations.
• Nurses reported enhanced positive assessments regarding evidence-informed education, skill development, and autonomy.
• Persistent critical appraisal noted concerning competencies in complex patient interactions and socio-religious dilemmas.

Conclusions:

• This study illuminates the evolution of nursing education from the perspective of practicing nurses.
• Retrospective insights highlight areas for refinement in nursing curricula.
• Emphasizes the need to equip nurses with skills for managing intricate patient situations.