Challenges and opportunities of micro-credentials in nursing: A qualitative study

Micro-credentials (MCs) present a new opportunity for improving continuing professional development (CPD), but their implementation in the field of nursing remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore the opportunities and challenges related to integrating MCs into nursing education in Slovenia.

The study utilized a qualitative, exploratory design that involved conducting semi-structured interviews. A total of 19 interviews were conducted with representatives from different parts of the MCs ecosystem. The data collected were subsequently analysed through inductive thematic analysis.

Three main themes were identified: potential challenges in MCs implementation, opportunities and advantages of MCs, and the scope of potential areas for MCs application. Each of the three main themes was divided into three separate subthemes, which were then divided into associated codes. The most commonly mentioned potential challenges of MCs implementation were the regulation of knowledge output, accreditation of MCs, funding, and a lack of workplace communication. The most frequently occurring opportunities and advantages were the accessibility of education and training, competence improvement, career development, and standardisation. MCs could help develop better competence in specialised fields of healthcare, individual interventions, and non-technical skills, as well as fields that are not strictly related to nursing, such as management and mentor training.

MCs hold significant promise for advancing nursing practice. Effective implementation of MCs could impact CPD for nursing practitioners, which is a known field that needs improvement. For this to be realized, we need to take into consideration challenges such as a lack of regulation, funding, and communication between stakeholders. Further research is still required to determine how to best implement MCs into nursing practice.