title: An integrated educational model for continuing nurse education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper reports on the development and evaluation of an integrated clinical learning model to inform ongoing education for surgical nurses. The research aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing a Respiratory Skills Update (ReSKU) education program, in the context of organisational utility, on improving surgical nurses' practice in the area of respiratory assessment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Continuous development and integration of technological innovations and research in the healthcare environment mandate the need for continuing education for nurses. Despite an increased worldwide emphasis on this, there is scant empirical evidence of program effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi experimental pre test, post test non-equivalent control group design evaluated the impact of the ReSKU program on surgical nurses' clinical practice. The 2008 study was conducted in a 400 bed regional referral public hospital and was consistent with contemporary educational approaches using multi-modal, interactive teaching strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study demonstrated statistically significant differences between groups regarding reported use of respiratory skills, three months after ReSKU program attendance. Between group data analysis indicated that the intervention group's reported beliefs and attitudes pertaining to subscale descriptors showed statistically significant differences in three of the six subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The construct of critical thinking in the clinical context, combined with clinical reasoning and purposeful reflection, was a powerful educational strategy to enhance competency and capability in clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Services Education, Acute Care Practice Development Team, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: beverley_duff@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000193:education; D055815:Young Adult