Nurses' Attitudes Toward Lifelong Learning via New Technologies.

Abstract

Introduction: Lifelong professional education is considered as a qualitative indicator in the health discipline, as it can improve health professionals' knowledge and skills, as well as nursing care. Purpose: The purpose of this original research is to examine and record the attitudes and behavior of nurses working in state-run hospitals in the Municipality of Thessaloniki regarding lifelong education through new technologies. Identification of nurses' motivations for lifelong distance education, recording of nurses' perception of the need for continuing nursing education, and determining how nurses pursue lifelong learning are the objectives of this study. Methodology: The study was conducted between January and March 2019. The sample of the study consisted of 124 nurses (n = 124) from three state hospitals of the Municipality of Thessaloniki. A questionnaire consisting of 5 parts was used as a research tool. SPSS 23 statistical software platform was used for statistical analysis. Results: The sample consisted of 124 participants, 12 were men and 112 were women. The mean age of the participants was 42.37 years and the mean experience in the field was 16.78 years. Two main reasons for continuing education were attributed to the upgrade of the nursing profession and the need to improve the quality of care provided. Conclusions: Nurses believe that continuing education is essential and their professional knowledge must periodically be enriched and renewed.