Educational opportunities for experienced staff: do they make a difference?

This study evaluates the impact of educational programs, such as Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS), on the knowledge base of experienced burn nurses. A convenience sample of six clinical experts within a 21-bed southeastern burn center who had never taken ABLS participated. The quantitative findings display a high level of value and an increase in knowledge base. The results of this study suggest that nurses with high levels of experience will have an increase in knowledge and express value in continuing education curricula. Consequently, this study supports the necessity of educational programs for nurses with significant specialized experience.