Effective Education Using Non-traditional Approaches
Patricia Iyer MSN RN LNCC, Mary Ann Shea RN JD, and Barbara Levin BSN RN ONC LNCC
International Council of Nurses International Conference
Yokohama, Japan
May 30, 2007

Background: A rapidly changing healthcare environment challenges the resources of the healthcare system. Maintenance of clinical competence among the graduate nursing staff and faculty is a crucial priority. The socio-economic and political factors that influence the ability to stay current include time and financial pressures, reduction in support for education, apathy, and fatigue.

Objective: The learner will identify creative methods of teaching how to stay current on the handling of unexpected crises.

Content: The lower staffing ratios in many healthcare settings reduce the ability to gather staff into a room for a class. Creative ways to provide education must be used. Posters and newsletters can be effectively designed to present pertinent information in small chunks. Design principles will be shared to help the participant most effectively use these media. Adult education principles include presenting information that is readily usable and engages the learner. Examples of educational methods that engage the learner include role plays, mock drills, critical thinking exercises, use of computerized education, and training of preceptors. Each of these methods of education is explored with specific guidance on implementing the strategies. One of the essential components of continuing education is the focus on how to handle the unexpected to save lives. Sharing information on how crises were handled helps others learn in a safe environment. Lessons learned are discussed with the nursing staff with specific instruction on how such a situation should be addressed.

Conclusion: This program focuses on how to teach the essentials of responding to a sudden event.