Factors That Influence Continuing Professional Development Over a Nursing Career: A Scoping Review

Nurse Education in Practice (10/22) Hakvoort, Lysette; Dikken, Jeroen; Cramer-Kruit, Jessica; et al.

Researchers performed a scoping review to identify factors that affect continuing professional development (CPD) in nursing. The authors searched multiple databases and reference lists of included papers, ultimately selecting 60 papers. Analyses revealed that CPD-influencing factors differ over a nursing career, highlighting unique needs and educational gaps among newly graduated nurses, seasoned nurses and experienced nurses seeking expanded roles. All three groups' CPD factors were defined by personal and contextual enablers and obstacles. New nurses said they valued being accepted team members and encountered barriers when integrating into the profession, such as workplace incivility. Experienced nurses had to deal with contextual hindrances due to few supportive structures and little CPD resource accessibility. Additionally, experienced nurses who wanted more advanced roles were often hampered by a professional culture that stresses direct patient care. With nurses, employers and educational institutions sharing the duty of fostering excellent nursing practice, the authors conclude that "a strong collaborative relationship between these stakeholders is necessary."

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