Perceptions and experiences of nurses and midwives in continuing professional development: a systematic review...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Midwifery Practice

Background:

• Continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the skills of nurses and midwives.
• Understanding the lived experiences of healthcare professionals undertaking CPD is essential for optimizing educational strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize the perceptions and experiences of nurses and midwives regarding continuing professional development.
• To identify facilitators and barriers influencing engagement with CPD among nursing and midwifery professionals.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review methodology was employed.
• Databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched for relevant studies.
• Thematic analysis was used to synthesize findings from included qualitative and quantitative studies.

Main Results:

• Nurses and midwives generally view CPD positively, recognizing its importance for career advancement and patient care.
• Key facilitators include relevance to practice, accessibility, and supportive work environments.
• Barriers often involve time constraints, financial costs, and lack of perceived value or applicability.

Conclusions:

• CPD is highly valued by nurses and midwives, but practical and systemic barriers hinder full engagement.
• Healthcare organizations should address identified barriers to support effective CPD and foster a culture of lifelong learning.
• Future CPD initiatives should be tailored to the specific needs and contexts of nursing and midwifery practice.