Continuing Professional Development Among Nurses in Jordan: Perceptions, Importance, Motives, and Barriers

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for lifelong learning, career advancement, and ensuring up-to-date professional knowledge.
• This study investigated Jordanian nurses' views on the significance, motivations, and obstacles related to CPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Jordanian nurses' perceptions of the importance of CPD.
• To identify nurses' motivations for engaging in CPD.
• To determine barriers hindering nurses' participation in CPD.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing demographic information and nurses' perceptions of CPD.

Main Results:

• The 'motives' aspect of CPD received the highest mean score (M = 4.09, SD = 0.58).
• The 'CPD activities' aspect had the lowest mean score (M = 2.96, SD = 0.75), suggesting lower engagement with actual activities.

Conclusions:

• Nurses acknowledge CPD's role in enhancing qualifications, practice, and healthcare quality.
• Discrepancies exist in how nurses perceive and participate in CPD.
• Overcoming barriers and aligning intentions with actions are crucial for improving CPD engagement among nurses.