Authors: Slaven Frances, Peters Annatjie.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine professional nurses’ employment information and history, their nursing education, additional formal and informal education, and their awareness and perception of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for nurses.
Method: This study followed a mixed-methods approach, using a survey to collect qualitative and quantitative data to determine the views of professional nurses in South Africa regarding CPD and post-graduate education. Quantitative data was descriptively analysed in Microsoft Excel, qualitative data was analysed thematically.
Results: One-hundred and twenty-nine responses (129) were received out of the eight-hundred and fifty-five (855) invitations sent. Most of the respondents were female (83.72%) and 50 to 59 years old (35.66%). 87% of respondents were aware of the concept of CPD and 77% thought that it should be compulsory for nurses. Only 51% of respondents were aware of the new South African Nursing Council’s (SANC) regulations regarding compulsory CPD for nurses. Respondents exhibited an overall positive perception of CPD, agreeing that it should be a continuous process in order to improve the quality of care they provide, enhance their knowledge and skills, and remain up to date with the latest developments in the field. Approximately half of the respondents felt that CPD should be the joint responsibility of the employer and the employee (the nurse). The biggest self-reported barrier to obtaining CPD points was time and cost.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that professional nurses in South Africa have an overall positive perception of CPD. It is recommended that the SANC should ensure that nursing professionals are aware of new regulations and should play a supportive role in ensuring that there are sufficient opportunities for nurses to obtain CPD points. Employers should also create conditions conducive to professional development, encourage nurses and facilitate opportunities to obtain CPD points.
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