Educational needs of directors of nursing in county medical care facilities.

Abstract

Many practicing directors of nursing must depend upon special training through inservice programs, literature, or on the job experience to acquire practical skills needed for their task in County Medical Care Facilities. Although some schools of nursing and other educational institutions offer educational programs in this special area, few studies have been conducted to determine the educational needs of these directors. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived educational needs of 38 practicing administrators in County Medical Care facilities in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. In this study, the majority of directors of nursing in County Medical Care Facilities were diploma or associate degree nurses with little additional formal education beyond basic nursing education. Forty-seven percent (N = 17) have been in their present position for an average of more than six years. Sixty-four percent (N = 24) learned their administrative skills on the job. Patient care skills were also learned on the job by the majority of directors. Although the preferred learning mode varied across basic education, graduate study, seminars or self directed study, most perceived educational needs fell in three general categories: patient care, administrative skills and personnel skills. Fifty-three percent (N = 20) wanted to learn more about gerontology and 50% (N = 19) wanted to learn more about the administrative skills of policy development and introducing change. Formal undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that include gerontology and administration are deemed to be the best long range solution.