Resource fairs for continuing nursing education
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Date
2000
Authors
Hawthorne, Glenda
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2000
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the appropriateness of a resource fair as a
method of providing learning opportunities to health care professionals, primarily nurses.
Educators in hospitals today are faced with the ongoing challenge of providing adequate
continuing education. Continuing education is necessary to ensure nurses have the
knowledge and skills to provide quality care to patients and their families. Effective and
efficient methods of providing continuing education need to be explored. Resource fairs
were held at hospitals within the Palliser Health Region. These resource fairs took place
between November 1998 and May 1999. There were a number of similarities but
attempts were made to accommodate the uniqueness of the different hospitals, which
were determined by an informal needs assessment. The methodology for this study
included a number of strategies. An anonymous reaction questionnaire was distributed to
the participants at each site at the fair. Interviews were conducted with each ofthe other 3
educators to determine their perspective. They were directly involved with all of the
resource fairs. A survey was sent to managers for their feedback as well. Personal
observation was also used. The evaluation of the resource fairs indicated that they are a
positive learning experience for nurses. They promote a non-threatening informal
learning environment. They seem to be a viable opportunity to meet some of the learning
needs of nurses, including rural nurses. The success of this educational activity is
partially influenced by the support ofthe managers. Feedback received from the
managers indicates they are supportive of this learning activity. Resource fairs should not
be used exclusively to provide continuing education to nurses, but should be used in conjunction with other educational opportunities. This evaluation supports the ongoing
use of resource fairs as a learning activity for health care professionals.
Description
viii, 83 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
Nursing -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Continuing education