| Purpose. To test the knowledge of rural nurses before and twice after an education intervention based on Knowles' Adult Learning Theory using Ferrell and McCaffery's Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain.;Design. One-group pre and multiple post-test design.;Sample. Of sixty-five nurses from four nursing units in a rural hospital forty-five, (70.8%) completed the pretest and posttest one, while 35 (76.1%) completed the pretest, posttest one, and posttest two.;Findings. The mean correct score of 70.8% on the pretest. Scores increased between the pretest and posttest 1 (p < 0.0001), and between pretest and posttest 2 (p < 0.0001). T-tests found no difference in scores based on degree, work status, shift, pain continuing education, or nursing experience. ANOVA found no significant degree by time, work status, shift, or pain continuing education interaction. Experience by time interaction was significant.;Conclusions. Rural nurses demonstrate pain knowledge deficits similar to urban nurses. Education increased and sustained scores for one-month.;Implications for nursing practice. Education increases pain knowledge scores. |
