The Impact of AIDS Continuing Education on Psychiatric and Non-Psychiatric Nurses' Knowledge

How caring for persons with HIV/AIDS affects rural nurses

Prior research findings about caregiving for persons with HIV/AIDS indicate that caregiving impacts nurses in three separate domains: personal self as a nurse in practice; interactions with the nurse's family members, friends, and colleagues; and interactions with persons with HIV/AIDS. However the impact caregiving for persons with HIV/AIDS has on rural nurses has not been extensively explored. A qualitative study of rural registered nurses' experiences of caring for persons with HIV/AIDS was conducted to determine how caregiving affects registered nurses in rural areas. Content analysis was used to analyze rural registered nurses' written comments about their experiences of caring for persons with HIV/AIDS. Themes identified from the nurses' accounts of instances of caregiving were the perceived risk of acquiring the virus, a lack of concern about HIV/AIDS, and a need for ongoing continued education about the care of persons with HIV/AIDS.

Changes in service delivery following HIV/AIDS education of medical and mental health service providers: results of a one-year follow-up

This study examined changes in service delivery patterns of health and mental health service providers one year after a training on the fundamentals of HIV/AIDS and mental health. Paired t-tests for 424 training recipients showed significant increases in delivery of HIV-related services, and these remained significant while controlling for additional training, job changes, region (urban, rural, suburban), and provider discipline. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly greater likelihood of providing direct services to HIV+ individuals among male providers, those with more years of HIV experience, those in counseling disciplines, and those working in a new job since the training.

Hong Kong nurses' perceptions of and participation in continuing nursing education

As medical technologies change, practicing nurses need to update their knowledge and skills to ensure quality health care for patients and to minimize possible health hazards in the workplace. This article describes a study that explored Hong Kong hospital nurses' perceptions of and participation in continuing nursing education. It found that Hong Kong nurses participate actively in continuing education out of a sense of professional responsibility and personal interest. However, consistent with findings from other studies, the major factors hindering nurses' participation are finances, family commitments, and time.