Content area
Full text
Acknowledgement: This paper would not have been possible without the assistance of Jennifer Kirkpatrick whose exacting attention to detail supported the completion of this paper.
The author discloses that funding for this research was received from the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) through the Cardinal Health Research Grant.The author declares that there are no undisclosed conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
The author has provided ORNAC with non-exclusive rights to publish and otherwise deal with or make use of this article, and any photographs/images contained in it, in Canada and all other countries of the world.
ABSTRACT
Professional competence achieved through continuing professional development (CPD) is considered essential to nursing because of its impacts on quality of care and safety. Engagement in these activities contribute to a nurse's practice through resultant improvements in their knowledge, skills, and confidence. They also contribute to enhanced professional status and relationships with other healthcare practitioners. However, there are structural barriers that impede participation as well as an unacceptable impact from lateral violence. This research utilized a mixed methods online survey to explore the engagement and perceptions of Canadian perioperative registered nurses regarding CPD. The findings of this study suggest that perioperative nurses engage in regular CPD activities as part of their professional practice. The preferred activities as rated by participants were:
1. Self-directed learning activities;
2. In-services; and
3. Formal continuing education.
The findings of this research are significant to perioperative nursing because they highlight the activities that nurses perceive to be the greatest value, as well as confirming the presence of barriers present in the literature. Consequently, this information can be used to develop and implement strategies that will enhance CPD, thereby improving perioperative nursing practice.
Keywords: Continuing professional development, perioperative nursing, professional practice.
INTRODUCTION
Professional competence achieved through continuing professional development (CPD) is considered essential to nursing because of its impacts on quality of care and safety. Nurses generally report that these CPD activities improve their delivery of care1 and consequently employers should be keen to motivate their participation.2,3 Similarly, patients expect professional nurses to constantly be competent in their practice and their care.4,5 CPD is especially important because it has implications for the public by enhancing the quality of patient care.6...