Concordance of Continuing Education Programs with the Principles of Adult Learning and their Effectiveness: Perspectives of Nurses in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Continuing education is an essential component of the professionalization of nursing and could be viewed as a catalyst for the development of nursing practice. This study aimed to determine the concordance of the continuing education programs with the principles of adult learning and the effectiveness of these programs from the perspective of nurses. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 150 nurses working in teaching hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2011 were selected using quota sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire which proved to be valid and reliable. The questionnaire had 3 sections, focusing on “Concordance rate of in-service training programs with the adult learning principles”, “Effectiveness rate of these programs”, and “the preferred educational methods”. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: 68% of participants were women and 89% had a BS degree in nursing. The mean score of compliance of continuing education program with principals of adult learning was 35.2±4.6 out of 65.The mean score for the effectiveness was 28.6±6.2 out of 55. As for adult learning principles, 46.9% of the participants rated the program weak. Conclusion: It is suggested that the continuing education program be revised in term of planning and implementing, based on the principles of adult learning in order to increase the effectiveness of this program.