title: The impact of AIDS continuing education on psychiatric and non-psychiatric nurses' knowledge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because an increasing number of chronically mentally ill individuals are HIV-positive, continuing education must include AIDS content to ensure psychiatric nurses provide competent care. The Fundamentals of Mental Health and HIV/AIDS Program was tested to determine its effectiveness in augmenting the AIDS knowledge of mental health professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred forty RNs attended the Fundamental of Mental Health and HIV/AIDS Program. They completed pretest and posttest measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The program significantly increased AIDS knowledge. The increase in AIDS knowledge was more dramatic for psychiatric nurses than for non-psychiatric nurses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reinforces the need for AIDS continuing education.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612, USA.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Dancy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Despotes
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Razzano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States