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The Enduring Need for the Pain Resource Nurse (PRN) Training Program

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Abstract

Nurses play a pivotal role in pain management but academic nursing curricula remain lacking in basic pain management principles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term impact of the City of Hope Pain Resource Nurse (PRN) Training Course on nursing pain management practice. An online survey, comparing RNs’ pre- and post-training practice, assessed the long-term impact of the course on content application and dissemination. Participants with 1–9 years post-course attendance (2002–2010) were invited to complete a brief survey (N = 783). Respondents (N = 180; 23%) reported significant improvements in their comfort with basic opioid administration (p < .001). Relaxation was the most common non-drug intervention used by respondents. Pain assessment content was most frequently applied to practice (97%). Most respondents (89%) disseminated course content to others within their own institutions. PRN-trained nurses expressed improved confidence in pain management and attributed course content to the improvement in their practice behavior.

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Correspondence to Marcia Grant.

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Grant, M., Ferrell, B., Hanson, J. et al. The Enduring Need for the Pain Resource Nurse (PRN) Training Program. J Canc Educ 26, 598–603 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0268-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0268-1

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