Research article summary (published 30 Jan 2004):

Lifelong learning--the key to competence in the intensive care unit?

Full Abstract

With continual advances in technology and changes in medical and nursing practice there is a need to continue professional development whilst working within the Intensive Care environment. This paper aims to consider why and how nurses working within the Intensive Care environment learn knowledge and skills. To explore nurses' experiences, a qualitative approach using a semi-structured questionnaire comprising open questions was used. The questionnaires were then analysed using line by line coding. The findings revealed that intensive care nurses learn knowledge and skills continually through a lifelong learning process in order to become a competent practitioner. Three themes were identified within this process: learning, opportunity, and outcome, all being affected by three factors: internal, external and patient-related. It is suggested that in order to organise and support effective learning, there needs to be an awareness of all of these factors and to be able to overcome the negative aspects to enhance the learning experience for all. The ultimate outcome of learning for the intensive care nurses was to practice competently in order to deliver high quality patient care.

Author information

Author/s: Huggins, Kathryn (K);

Affiliation: Bournemouth University, ICU/HDU, Poole Hospital NHS Trust, Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 2JB, UK. khuggins(-atsign-)bournemouth.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Intensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses (Intensive Crit Care Nurs), published in Scotland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-Feb; vol 20 (issue 1) : pp 38-44

Dates: Created 2004/01/16; Completed 2004/03/12; Revised 2009/11/03;

PMID: 14726252, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/3/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attitude of Health Personnel Clinical Competence - standards Competency-Based Education - organization & administration Education, Nursing, Continuing - organization & administration Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Services Needs and Demand Hospitals, District Hospitals, General Humans Inservice Training - organization & administration

Inservice Training - organization & administration Knowledge Learning Models, Educational Motivation Nursing Education Research Nursing Methodology Research Nursing Staff, Hospital - education; psychology Qualitative Research Questionnaires

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