Continuing professional education: identifying the characteristics of an effective system |
| |
| Authors: | Mike Nolan BEd MA MSc PhD RGN RMN FRSH R Glynn Owens BTech DipPsych DPhil AFBPsS Janet Nolan BA MEd CertEd FETC HEd Cert RGN RHV |
| |
| Affiliation: | Senior Lecturer in Nursing Research/Director, BASE Practice Research Unit, University of Wales, Bangor;Professor of Health Studies, University of Wales, Bangor;Lecturer in Nursing Studies, Pre-Registration Division, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, St David's Hospital, Bangor, Wales |
| |
| Abstract: | The need for a functioning system of continuing professional education (CPE) in nursing, midwifery and health visiting has received increased attention in recent years However, whilst the literature describes a number of benefits, detailed empirical studies have been limited There is, in particular, a dearth of information on nurses' perceptions of the important components of a CPE programme Using the results of a recent evaluation of the Welsh National Board's Framework for Continuing Education, this paper highlights a number of key issues identified by practitioners, educators and managers throughout Wales Using a structure—process-outcome model, attention is focused on the outcomes of CPE and the structure and process variables which facilitate or inhibit success The results indicate a strong commitment to the principles of CPE and identify a complex range of perceived benefits Potential barriers inhibiting both the uptake of CPE and the achievement of subsequent change are discussed and the need to create an equitable, well-resourced system is stressed |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
