Promoting nurses' positive attitudes toward cancer prevention/screening.
BACKGROUND
From 1991 to 1994, a special projects grant to teach nurses cancer prevention/screening theory and clinical skills was developed, implemented, and evaluated. Approximately 60 nurses in Colorado rural settings attended five two-day training sessions over a 20-month period. Attitudes, constructive or destructive, regarding specific behaviors lead to intentions to perform those behaviors and have an important impact on cancer-related nursing practice.


METHODS
Two cancer-related attitude scales, Cancer Prevention/Early Detection Attitude Inventory and Fanslow Cancer Attitudes Scale, were administered prior to the first training session, following the final session, and at six-month follow-up. Data reflecting program impact on nursing practice were obtained from follow-up self-assessment of confidence in implementing new knowledge and skills.


RESULTS
Significant differences in pre- and post-training attitude scores and fairly high-level confidence ratings suggest that these nurses will continue to use their cancer prevention and detection skills in practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Documentation of practice activities to date has been impressive.
Howell
S L
SL
School of Nursing, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
Nelson-Marten
P
P
Krebs
L U
LU
Kaszyk
L
L
Wold
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003120:Colorado; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000451:nursing*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education*