Mundanatories no more

Mandated educational programs are often a source of dread for instructor and participant alike. The nurse educator, the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Intravenous (i.v.) Therapy and Nutritional Support, and the Clinical Program Manager for i.v. Therapy devised a self-paced program to validate the competence of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in caring for patients receiving i.v. therapy. The program consisted of learning stations which utilized a variety of formats to satisfy the objectives of the program. The LPN could see, hear about, read about, and ask questions related to i.v. therapy. Participants could take as much or as little time as was needed to review the stations. Documentation of competence was the completed quiz which became part of the LPN's personnel file. As an added incentive, the returned quiz was also used as an entry form to win door prizes. Compliance for the program was about 71%. Areas for improvement were identified. Feedback concerning the program from participants and planning team alike was very positive.