Continuing nursing education and outcomes: Making a difference in patient care

38^th International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

October 16-18, 2017 | New York, USA

Lena Garafalo

Northwell Health, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

As a large provider unit of contact hour education to more than 16,000 nurses, a continuously growing health system needed to ensure that the education provided to their nursing staff was of significance when meeting evaluation outcome criteria. The education team came together to explore some options. Employers strive to hire professional nurses who have a solid knowledge and foundation in nursing. However, it is necessary for nurses to build on that foundation throughout their career, engaging in professional development, which is a lifelong learning commitment. While there are many ways to expand ones knowledge, nurses often look for continuing education opportunities via their place of employment. However, with finite resources (financial and human), nurse educators need to demonstrate how the education they are providing impacts and improves the delivery of patient care. Often, educators produce a high volume of classes and educate a large number of staff, but may overlook the impact or lack thereof; their programs have had on practice and outcomes. This includes impacting length of stay, recidivism, patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction and efficiency and/or financial impact on the patient or reimbursement to the institution/provider. All of these are important measures of quality as it pertains to delivery of care. By being able to make an impact on any or all of the above outcomes and practices, nurse educators become a priceless and indispensible asset by demonstrating their value to their employer, the professionals they educate and the patients they are indirectly impacting.