There is no conflict of interest.
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of the Charge Nurse Education Program (CNEP) on training outcomes.
- The study used an interrupted time series design and collected data via surveys and assessment tools. The authors used a series of statistical tests to compare the outcomes of participants before and after their participation in the education program.
- The study found a significant positive relationship between CNEP and increased skills and satisfaction in the charge nurse role.
- This study receives a low evidence rating. This means we are not confident that the estimated affects are attributable to the Charge Nurse Education Program (CNEP); other factors are likely to have contributed.
Intervention Examined
Features of the Intervention
The Charge Nurse Education Program (CNEP) is a training program designed for charge nurses. The CNEP classes focused on building the charge nurse’s competency in seven topic areas, including technical skills, problem solving, team building, communication, organization, leadership, and professional development. The program consisted of several classes delivered over a 9-hour session. The classes were held three days a week, each lasting three hours. The same class was offered multiple times during the day. Both novice and experienced charge nurses participated in the program.
Features of the Study
The study used an interrupted time series design to assess the impact of the CNEP on training outcomes. Participants at one a 283-bed hospital attended the CNEP and received skills coaching. The study sample included 24 charge nurses, with 92% women, 75% White, 67% non-Hispanic, and 63% aged 19-38. Participants had either an associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN). Outcomes were measured 3 months before and 1 and 6 months after the intervention. Data were collected via surveys and assessment tools, and the authors used statistical tests to compare outcomes before and after the education program.
Findings
Training
- The study found significant improvements in charge nurses’ assessment of their technical skills and professional development 6 months after the intervention. It also found significant improvements in six skill areas assessed by nurse directors (technical, problem solving, communication, organization, leadership, professional development) 6 months after the intervention.
- The study also found a significant increase in the charge nurses’ job satisfaction 6 months after the intervention.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
The authors compared the outcomes of participants measured once before and twice after they participated in CNEP. CLEAR’s guidelines require that the authors observe outcomes for multiple periods before the intervention to rule out the possibility that participants had increasing or decreasing trends in the outcomes examined before enrollment in the program. Without knowing the trends before program enrollment, we cannot rule this out. Therefore, the study receives a low causal evidence rating.
Causal Evidence Rating
Research Guidelines
Review Protocol: Living Systematic Annual Search and Review Protocol
Review Guidelines: Causal Evidence Guidelines