Surveying hospital nurses to discover educational needs and preferences

J. Michael Lindsay; Sandy Oelschlegel; Martha Earl

doi:10.5195/jmla.2017.85

Authors

J. Michael Lindsay AHIP, Serials and Electronic Resources Librarian and Associate Professor, Preston Medical Library, University of Tennessee/University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1941-8581
Sandy Oelschlegel AHIP, Director, Preston Medical Library, University of Tennessee/University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN 37920
Martha Earl AHIP, Assistant Director, Preston Medical Library, University of Tennessee/University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN 37920

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2017.85

Keywords:

Surveys and Questionnaires, Library Surveys, Personnel, Hospital, Education, Continuing, Nursing, Medical

Abstract

Objective: The author investigated the educational needs of nurses in an American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet hospital to determine topics of interest, instruction time and delivery preferences, and interest in a research information skills certificate provided by the library.

Methods: A 9-question survey was distributed to 1,500 nursing staff of the hospital through email.

Results: Surveys were completed by 865 respondents, which represented a response rate of 58%. The majority of respondents were registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and paramedics (81%), and day-shift workers (65%). For education topics, nursing staff placed the highest priority on finding health-related mobile apps for professionals and developing evidence-based research skills. For mode of delivery, respondents expressed a preference for unit-based in-service, computer-based tutorials, and hands-on computer training. Most (70%) respondents expressed an interest in participating in a research information skills certificate program.

Conclusions: Our survey results reveal an avenue for reinvigorating and updating the library’s educational program to match the needs of nursing staff and may offer valuable insight for other libraries seeking to do the same.

This article has been approved for the Medical Library Association’s Independent Reading Program.