The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 39 No. 7 July 2008
By Martha L. P. MacLeod, PhD, RN; A. Elizabeth Lindsey, PhD, RN; Catherine H. Ulrich, MSc, RN; Thomas Fulton, MSc, RN; Norma John, MA, RN
ABSTRACT
Few education programs adequately prepare rural registered nurses (RNs) for “multispecialist” roles within small acute care facilities. This article describes the development of a post-RN rural acute care certificate program. To plan relevant curriculum and program delivery approaches, a series of focus groups were held with 236 rural RNs throughout British Columbia, Canada. The themes that emerged from RNs’ descriptions of their everyday practice form the foundation of the new curriculum. The resulting program is practice driven and reality based, with a curriculum, teaching and learning strategies, and program delivery methods that are responsive to the learning needs of rural nurses.
J Contin Educ Nurs 2008;39(7):298-304.
AUTHORS
Dr. MacLeod is Professor, University of Northern British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Lindsey is Emeritus Professor, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Ulrich is President and Chief Executive Officer, Northern Health, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Fulton is Leader, Professional Practice and Chief Nursing Officer, Interior Health, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. John is Regional Coordinator, Professional Practice Strategy, Northern Health, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.
The authors would like to acknowledge the Chief Nursing Officers, Council of British Columbia, for their vision and support, and the Nursing Directorate, British Columbia Ministry of Health, for funding this initiative.
The needs assessment described, the list of themes and courses, and the table were presented orally at the Canadian Rural and Remote Nursing Meeting (June 2006), at the Canadian Rural Health Research Society Meeting (October 2006), and at various meetings of nurses and educators in British Columbia and in a poster at the College of Registered Nurses in British Columbia (May 2007).
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Martha L. P. MacLeod, PhD, RN, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4H9, Canada.
