The role of the working place in education and vocational training in the context of educational barriers perceived by nurses

Introduction. Educating nurses and their vocational training leads to their personal and professional development. This should be included
in the development strategies of health service institutions, which provide high quality services directed to satisfy the needs of their
patients.

Aim of the study. The aim of this research was to acknowledge the factors that make it difficult for the nurses to undertake further
education and vocational training and to determine the role of the working place in this process.

Material and methods. Research was undertaken among participants of various forms of education and vocational training. The questions
included in the questionnaire, prepared by the author, related to the difficulties encountered by the nurses when deciding upon
education and vocational training and during this training; 195 nurses took part in the research, out of whom 168 worked in hospitals.
Results. For 75.9% of the respondents the factors that mostly hinder the decision to undertake vocational training were: the lack of training
leaves provided by the employer and no financial help on the employer’s side, 74.3% of respondents. For 65.1% of the respondents it is the
work system that restricts their participation, 61.5% pointed out a little interest on the employer’s side in raising employees’ qualifications.
68.7% of the nurses participating in vocational training has a limited possibility of taking training leaves. About 50% of the respondents
indicate insufficient funding for expenses connected to education.

Conclusions:

1. Financial support on the employer’s side could be an important factor enabling the nurses to undertake education.

2. No proper rules concerning training leaves in working places make it difficult for the nurses to decide upon participating in postgradu
ate training.

3. A 12-hour working day is a barrier for participating in training.

4. The respondents indicate a little interest on the employer’s side in raising employees’ qualifications.

5. The working place may take various steps to activate nurses in education and training.