On-the-Job versus off Training of Nurses in Documentation of Nursing Practice

Abstract

Background: Training, either on-the-job or off-the-job, is the only means that may improve such lack of competencies in documentation. Aim of the study: To investigate the differences between on-the-job and off-the-job training of nurses in documentation of nursing practice. Subjects and methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out at the primary health care (PHC) centers in Giza Governorate on two cluster samples of 75 nurses each, one for on-the-job and the other for off-the-job training. A self-administered questionnaire was used for nurses' knowledge and an audit sheet for their practice of documentation. The intervention consisted of a 2-day training in nursing documentation. Results: In total, only one (1.3%) nurse in each group had satisfactory pre-intervention, which increased to 94.7% in both groups after the intervention (p<0.001). Overall, no nurse in the two groups had adequate total audit before the intervention. After the intervention, none in the on-the-job and 4.0% in the off-the-job had adequate audit (p=0.24). Knowledge and audit scores significant positive correlation (r=0.698). Conclusion and recommendations:Both on-the-job and off-the-job approaches are effective in improving nurses' knowledge of documentation, but with less effect on their audited achievement of documentation criteria.