PRE-Survey
POST-Survey
Interpretation of Results
A team of ten professional nurses with various certifications and positions received an OCN presentation. A pre-survey and post-test were conducted, the questions in which relate to the topic of accreditation and its perception. The “Disagree” and “Strongly Disagree” response options were rarely used, indicating that OCN was assessed as an evidence-based practice. The presentation demonstrated a positive impact on post-survey responses. For example, 90% of respondents agreed with the argument in the sixth question after the presentation versus 60% of participants in the pre-test settings. Even though the frequency of “Neither Agree nor Disagree” responses remained the same, positive responses began to prevail after a theoretical project. The “Strongly Agree” option was selected by an average of 40% of respondents before the presentation, while an average of 52% of participants chose the same answer in the post-survey settings. This trend shows that informing professionals about specific certifications minimizes bias and erroneous judgments.
Reflection
The project is successful because the respondents transformed their vision. OCN was presented as a fundamental practice for nurses in oncology settings. Questions two and five directly address the quality of services and the psychological well-being of nurses. It has been noted that these factors gain a significant advantage in certification (Elwell, 2017). Besides, positive changes were observed in the responses to the second question, where participants rated accreditation as a predictor of advanced patient health. It also correlates with scientific research, where a similar link has been proven through a literature review (Boyle, 2017). Pre- and post-surveys have demonstrated a higher response rate from the first two options, which means it is useful to inform even professional nurses. In particular, the “Strongly Disagree” option was not used in any of the questions, which shows the transformation of OCN perception. Thus, this experiment demonstrates the value of detailing and deepening certification rules for both applicants and the nursing community.
Gaps in the project are not a large enough sample and a limited variation in responses. First of all, this study should be conducted with a sample of >100 people or representatives of particular nursing specialization. Besides, a similar survey with open-ended responses and deductive analysis will allow one to explore the connections between various arguments of participants. This study has only one barrier, and that is the time frame. The post-survey was carried out immediately after the presentation, which does not analyze the impact of the theoretical course on the participants’ daily practice. Thus, this experiment requires several stages, including more than one post-tests.
Implications for Future Practice
This experiment has shown that communication is essential even in the skilled nursing community. Certification, including OCN, face mixed perceptions due to stereotypes, outdated nursing models, and limited knowledge of career advancement. The project has shown that nursing trends awareness courses are the most reliable way to create a more supportive team atmosphere. Also, reaching more professionals will enable the development of updated certification standards to begin. In turn, this process will be a new round in improving the quality of nursing services for individuals and the community.
References
Boyle, D. (2017). Nursing specialty certification and patient outcomes: What we know in acute care hospitals and future directions. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access, 22(3), 137-142. Web.
Elwell, S. (2017). Certification matters. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 24(6), 342-344. Web.