A Comparative Study of Continuous Nursing Education System in Iran and America

Abstract

Introduction: Continuous nursing education (CNE) systems in different countries are various. The study of different structures can be very helpful for CNE planners and create innovative ideas for them to solve national and regional problems. Thus, the present study has been designed and implemented with the aim of comparative comparison continuous nursing education system in Iran and America. Method: This study is a comparative-documentary study in four stages; Description, Interoperation, Comparison, Juxtaposition, that has been done based on "George ZF. Beredy" method. Information provided by American nursing boards in all states and documentation rules in Iran were investigated. These two CNE systems were studied in terms of the history, structure, required hours, accepted activities and reviewing and approving documents by review of existing information. Results: Legislation of CNE in Iran and America dates back to 1996 and 1984. reviewing and approving documents of the evidence in Iran was done by the Office of in-service education, free of charge, with the aim of gaining promotion and wage increases, and in America it was performed by the State Nursing Boards, with receiving a fee for the purpose of accreditation and renew RN. Conclusion: In both countries, the emphasis is on participation in programs not on the impact of programs on the quality of patient care. If the certification and accreditation of nursing license in terms of taking continuous education in Iran is solved and CNE gets out of the control of in-service education, the differences will be less.