Needs of Training Programs for Practice Courses in Advanced Practice Nurse Education

Purpose: This study aimed to assess needs of training programs for APN practice courses and continuing education programs for APNs to provide baseline data to improve APN education and practice. Methods: A total of 98 questionnaires were distributed to professors in 38 nursing institutions and 64 (65.3%) were returned. Data collection was performed in November and December, 2007 through email. Results: Professors in charge of geriatric and home care nurse practitioner programs constituted 43.7% of the study participants. Forty-one percent answered that they were satisfied with the practice programs they currently have operated, while 36.5% responded to have difficulty in appointment of institutions for practice programs and 56.3% had problems in assignment of preceptorship. In case of developing training programs for APN practice courses, 58.7% answered that they are willing to participate, and 90.6% felt needs for development of continuing education programs for APNs. Regarding liability insurance for APN students, only 11.5% provided insurance policy. Conclusion: The study results indicated that standardized training programs are needed to assure quality of APN education, and continuing education programs are required to provide opportunities for APNs to improve competencies.ope