title: Confidence and authority through new knowledge: An evaluation of the national educational programme in paediatric oncology nursing in Sweden.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a lack of nurse specialists in many paediatric hospitals in Sweden. This lack of competence is devastating for childhood cancer care because it is a highly specialised area that demands specialist knowledge. Continuing education of nurses is important to develop nursing practice and also to retain them.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate a Swedish national educational programme in paediatric oncology nursing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nurses who participated came from all of the six paediatric oncology centres as well as from general paediatric wards. At the time of the evaluation, three groups of registered nurses (n=66) had completed this 2year, part-time educational programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study specific questionnaire, including closed and open-ended questions was sent to the 66 nurses and 54 questionnaires were returned. Answers were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that almost all the nurses (93%) stayed in paediatric care after the programme. Furthermore, 31% had a position in management or as a consultant nurse after the programme. The vast majority of the nurses (98%) stated that the programme had made them more secure in their work. The nurses were equipped, through education, for paediatric oncology care which included: knowledge generating new knowledge; confidence and authority; national networks and resources. They felt increased confidence in their roles as paediatric oncology nurses as well as authority in their encounters with families and in discussions with co-workers. New networks and resources were appreciated and used in their daily work in paediatric oncology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The programme was of importance to the career of the individual nurse and also to the quality of care given to families in paediatric oncology. The national educational programme for nurses in Paediatric Oncology Care meets the needs of the highly specialised care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: pernilla.pergert@ki.se.
authors.forename: Pernilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pergert
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Af Sandeberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ildikó
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Márky
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Enskär
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
keywords: Cancer; Continuing nursing education; Evaluation research; Knowledge; Nursing, paediatric; Questionnaires