Nurses' perceptions of and participation in continuing nursing education: results from a study of psychiatric hospital nurses in Bahrain.
BACKGROUND
Although many psychiatric hospital nurses in Bahrain attend at least one continuing nursing education (CNE) activity per year, many others do not. This study explored these nurses' perceptions of CNE and factors that promote or hinder participation in CNE activities.


METHODS
A descriptive design was used to gather data from a convenience sample of 200 nurses working at the psychiatric hospital in Bahrain.


RESULTS
Nurses believed that CNE improved the quality of patient care and patient outcomes, increased nurses' knowledge and skills, and kept them current with advances in nursing. Participation in CNE was hindered by unavailability of CNE activities related to psychiatric nursing.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of nurses had positive perceptions of CNE. Their participation was hindered by unavailability of CNE activities related to psychiatric nursing. Those responsible for planning continuing education in Bahrain should consider these findings when planning future CNE activities.
School of Nursing, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834, USA. sal-majid@fullerton.edu
Sadeeka
S
Al-Majid
Hashmiya
H
Al-Majed
Cyril S
CS
Rakovski
Rebecca A
RA
Otten
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001445:Bahrain; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*