Evaluation of a Canadian Post-Licensure Educational Program for Registered Nurses in Primary Care: A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol

Introduction: In Canada, Registered Nurses (RNs) in primary care fulfill diverse roles to meet population needs. Although Canadian competencies define the roles of RNs in primary care, few educational interventions effectively support alignment with these competencies. Given that continuing education is rarely specific to primary care nursing, our team co-developed a bilingual, evidence-informed educational program tailored to RNs in primary care. Objectives: 1) To assess the impacts of the educational program on RNs’ learning outcomes, professional practices, and interprofessional collaboration. 2) To evaluate implementation by identifying factors that support or hinder the successful deployment in primary care settings in Canadian provinces. Methods: A mixed-methods evaluation guided by the RE-AIM Framework, Eco-Normalization Theory, and the New World Kirkpatrick Model will be conducted. Three populations will be involved: RNs in primary care, facilitators supporting learners, and administrators or managers engaged in implementation. Quantitative data will be collected via online demographic and pre-and post-training questionnaires. Qualitative data will be obtained through open-ended questions, semi-structured interviews and the research team’s logbook. Data integration will examine interactions between the program, RNs and primary care settings. Discussion and Research Spin-offs: This national-scale educational program is the first in Canada designed specifically for RNs practising in primary care. A rigorous evaluation of its implementation across diverse organizational models will improve understanding of its mechanisms and impacts. Findings will contribute critical insights to strengthen the RNs’ role in primary care and support a sustainable transformation of their practice.