A competency-based training in smoking cessation for post-graduate diploma students in community nursing in Macao

Context: Smoking cessation is a prime concern for the Macao Special Administrative Region government; Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs)/Nurses play an important role in disseminating smoking cessation intervention and counseling. However, the APNs are not prepared in smoking cessation and currently there are insufficient related curricula for APNs in Macao. Objectives: This study evaluates the effect of a Two-day Workshop on Smoking Cessation for APNs on the competencies, knowledge and confidence required for smoking cessation. Methods: A pre-test and post-test design, using questionnaires to determine the perceived increased competency of the Post-graduated diploma in Specialty Nursing Program (PgDSNP) students (Community Health Nursing) (N=18) as a result of the smoking cessation workshop. Results: Participants reported that the training had a significant impact on improving their specific competencies in the area of smoking cessation, that the workshop was clearly liked, valued and helpful, and that their knowledge, confidence, willingness to intervene, assess, plan and counsel clients had increased. Conclusions: Results of this study support competency based training in smoking cessation for APNs/nurses, and indicate that short intervention strategies for training, such as a Smoking Cessation Workshop, can have a positive impact on improving APN competencies for working on smoking cessation.