THE EFFECT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF A CLINICAL CAREER INCENTIVE PROGRAM ON CONTINUING EDUCATION.
Contributors: University of Cincinnati.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 105
Subjects: Education, Adult and Continuing.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the implementation of a Clinical Career Incentive Program (CCIP) by the University of Cincinnati Hospital (UCH) on the continuing education of nurses. The program initiated by UCH was intended to produce advancement opportunities for clinical nurses, thereby reducing turnover and improving job satisfaction. An integral part of this program was a requirement for continuing education.

Extraneous variables examined were: (1) educational background, (2) working experience, (3) job status, and (4) personal statistics related to age, family, and economic conditions. The dependent variable was the total hours of continuing education which was composed of self-directed and other directed educational activities. The variables were examined prior to the implementation of a CCIP in 1982, one year after the implementation in 1983, and again for UCH in 1987 to determine if the trend from 1982 to 1983 had changed.

Inventory forms were dispersed to approximately 612 nurses in each of the three survey years at UCH (experimental group) with a response rate of from 25 to 36 percent. As a control group, Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH), Cincinnati, which does not have a CCIP, was also surveyed in 1982 and 1983. 602 forms were distributed each year, with a response of 24 and 54 percent in 1982 and 1983, respectively. Individuals who responded in 1983 and 1987 were not necessarily the same ones who responded in 1982.

The instrument specifically developed for the survey was titled the Continuing Education Inventory. Data was analyzed by use of t tests.

The first hypothesis stated that clinical nurses will be involved in a greater number of hours of continuing education after implementation of CCIP. This hypothesis was rejected. There was a decrease in hours of continuing education for nurses at UCH. The decrease from 1982 to 1983 was not significant. The decrease from 1983 to 1987 was not significant. However, the decrease from 1982 to 1987 was significant. The control group had a significant decrease from 1982 to 1983. The conclusion was that CCIP reduced the rate of decline of hours of continuing education.

The second hypothesis was that there will be a greater increase in other directed than self-directed continuing education after implementation of CCIP. This hypothesis was not supported. The comparison of other and self-directed continuing education hours were contradictory which led to an inconclusive finding.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-07, Section: A, page: 1623.

Thesis (ED.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, 1987.

School code: 0045.