Professional Experience Placement

This paper by Carpenter (2015) was undertaken in the USA, however the findings are applicable to the Australian context. This author, using a previously validated survey tool via the Internet canvassed nurses in Louisiana.

The researcher endeavoured to describe the deterrents to participation in web-based graduate nursing programs. From the findings it seems there are a range of mild or moderate deterrents that combine to create barriers for nurses. Of the top 10 deterrents, the majority related to educational methodology preferences or lack of support in the workplace. The mild deterrent items could be grouped into personal issues such as cost, recognition from the profession for credit points when completed or intrinsic motivation. Time was also recognised as a deterrent, this included computing issues with software, hardware and speed of the Internet. Additionally respondents mentioned competing elements such as annual leave and design of the courses.

Carpenter (2015) suggested options to improve uptake of web-based courses and these included ensuring nurses understood the quality of the course they were considering, provision of scholarships to assist with uptake and support for computer literacy levels to be improved.

It is essential in Australia that CPD is undertaken annually and due to the geographic reality, web-based courses are available to meet this requirement. Clinical supervisors require the capacity to remain abreast of contemporary information in nursing and in supervision and are well-placed to guide students in graduate course choices as well as keeping up to date themselves. There are a range of accredited courses available at UTAS.

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