Structural barriers and supports for nurses’ continuing professional development in acute care : a scoping review

Abstract

Continuing professional development (CPD) is an ongoing obligation nurses have to the public.
 It is how nurses maintain professional and practice standards, but also, it is a means for nurses to
 develop their careers in nursing education, leadership, practice and research. By using a scoping
 review methodology, I sought to answer what are the structural barriers and supports that exist
 for nurses in meeting their CPD obligations in acute care settings. Three theoretical frameworks
 (adult learning theory, complex adaptive systems theory and relational inquiry) were used to
 guide my critical analysis, discussion, implications, and recommendations. Amongst the
 findings, fifty-one sources were used to inform five themes: sense of community; a vision and
 mission from leadership and management; resource accessibility; commitment to learner centered
 foci; and optimized workplace environments. I discuss implications for nursing
 education, leadership, practice and research domains, as well as recommendations for
 stakeholder at all levels.

Applied Science, Faculty of

Nursing, School of

Reviewed

Graduate