An experience with an online learning environment to support a change in practice in an emergency department.
Providing continuing education to support a change in practice for a busy Emergency Department poses a challenge. Factors such as shift work, high patient acuity, and unpredictable patient flow create barriers to traditional methods of delivery of a comprehensive educational experience. This article describes an experience with introducing a change in practice using an innovative Web-based delivery plan. Specific strategies were employed to address presentation of content, application of knowledge, establishment of a shared understanding, and enhancement of communication opportunities. The Web-based learning environment proved to be a successful means of providing nurses with a collaborative learning experience around a new practice issue. This experience also highlighted the need for a new skill set for learners and educators using online learning technologies.
Curran-Smith
Janet
J
IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. janet.curransmith@iwk.nshealth.ca
Best
Shauna
S
D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009674:Nova Scotia; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009862:Online Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration