ABSTRACT

The purpose of this evidence-based project is to standardize the annual educational needs assessment process by conducting a thorough analysis of the literature to identify a valid and reliable tool to assess educational needs of clinical nurses. HonorHealth Professional Nursing Education department deploys an annual survey to clinical nursing staff to gather educational needs and learning gaps to create education plans for the upcoming year. The current process calls for the deployment of surveys to different clinical nursing service lines. This process can take up to 6 months to create, edit, and distribute the different surveys; followed by data collection from those surveys. For 2021 and 2022, 24 and 14 surveys were deployed, respectively. The lead educator noted the high number of surveys varied in length and quality of survey items. The PICO(T) question utilized was, in healthcare professionals, how do best practices compared to current practice affect educational needs or learning gaps? 15 articles were critically appraised and eight were evaluated through synthesis tables. Interventions, outcomes, and tool characteristics were evaluated. Based on the evidence, we recommend adopting the Hennessy-Hicks Training Needs Assessment tool for HonorHealth’s 2023 Annual Needs Assessment. The evidence reviewed indicates that this tool identifies training needs, is customizable, multidisciplinary, is a valid and reliable tool, and no additional cost or permission is required for utilization. Implementation of this tool will assist in prioritization of educational needs and standardize the process of identifying training needs at the individual, group, and/or organizational level.