Updating nurse graduate knowledge – the development of the “Evidence Based Practice In Nursing” continuing educational programme

In recent years there has been given great importance in designing continuing education and lifelong learning programs. The development process of such programs is strongly related to successful learning outcomes. The aim of this paper is to describe the process followed to design the “Evidence Based Practice in Nursing” Continuing Educational Program which implemented at the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Crete, TEI Athens and ΑTEI of Thessaloniki during the academic year 2014-2015. The development of the program encompassed six stages. Each stage was a separate activity. The results of each stage determined the development of the next stage. The final configuration and the impact of the Program was a result of the experience gained from the above stages. Significant knowledge emerged from planning and evaluating each Program stage. Results showed that successful design of training programs associated mainly to qualitative elements, such as philosophy, experience, characteristics of people and the social context in which the educational activities   were carried out.  Qualitative approaches, support networks and appropriate learning conditions are prerequisites for designing continuing education programs and for applying new knowledge in professional practice.