Factors Influencing Nurses’ Participation in Continuing Education Programs in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: The issue of continuing professional development is a necessity in the medical sciences. Also nursing staff need Continuing Education (CE) for their scientific and professional development. The aim of this study is to determine the factors influencing nurses’ participation in continuing educational programs. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted in year 2010 in Tabriz. A quota sample of 256 staff nurses were selected from nurses in hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire, which focused on gathering participants’ viewpoints on the influence of four categories of factors (i.e., personal, organizational, professional, and program) on their participation in CE activities. Data were interpreted using frequency indices. Results: 33.9 percent of nurses mentioned that professional factors are very important in their participation in programs. The most important professional factors were patients’ expectations from nurses and nurses’ tendencies to learn and increase their professional knowledge. Among organizational factors influencing on participation, 48.4 percent of nurses stressed that setting rotating shift work in the ward is the most important. Conclusion: According to the important role of meeting patients expectations and professional development in participation of nurses in CE programs, nurse managers should support and facilitate the nurses’ participation in the programs and should play an effective role in nurses’ empowerment.