Factors that influence continuing professional development over a nursing career: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Professional Development
• Career Advancement

Background:

• Continuing professional development (CPD) is crucial for maintaining nursing competence and career progression.
• Lack of access to CPD resources negatively impacts patient care, nurse satisfaction, recruitment, and retention.
• A comprehensive understanding of nurses' CPD needs across their careers is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically synthesize research on factors influencing continuing professional development (CPD) throughout a nursing career.
• To identify specific needs and challenges faced by nurses at different career stages regarding CPD.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.
• Searches were performed across multiple electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Psychinfo, Eric) and reference lists.
• Thematic analysis was employed to synthesize data from 60 included peer-reviewed papers.

Main Results:

• Factors influencing CPD differ significantly among newly graduated nurses, experienced nurses, and experienced nurses pursuing advanced roles.
• Newly graduated nurses require team integration and face barriers like workplace incivility.
• Experienced nurses encounter contextual barriers, including lack of support, limited time, and inaccessible resources, hindering their CPD.
• Nurses aiming for advanced roles face challenges due to a nursing culture prioritizing direct patient care and ambiguity in the value of new roles.

Conclusions:

• All nurses are motivated to engage in CPD, but their needs are diverse and career-stage dependent.
• Organizational recognition of individual goals and tailored CPD strategies are essential.
• Successful CPD for all nurses requires the provision and accessibility of adequate resources.