The impact of Continuing Professional Development on nurses' wellbeing and satisfaction.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The European Centre of Excellence for Research in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) aims to develop a pan-European network of researchers, clinicians, regulators, and professional bodies to advance the science of CPD through research and foster knowledge exchange to promote best practices in CPD that can be translated across Europe. Currently, the Centre has members from 22 European countries. Three research-working groups have been established to develop key activities into CPD: 1) Evaluating the impact of CPD; 2) Digital Pedagogies for CPD; 3) The economics of CPD. One of its research activities focuses on exploring CPD needs of newly qualified nurses and midwives (NQNMs) and the impact on their "Intention to leave" and "Job satisfaction". However, information about the range and extent of CPD activities NQNMs participate in during the first 24 months following graduation is limited. It is also not well known how NQNMs' participation in CPD activities is associated with job satisfaction and intention to leave the organisation or the profession. AIM To develop a better understanding of the CPD needs of NQNMs and explore the impact on NQNMs' job satisfaction and intention to leave. METHODS A cross-sectional study using an online survey in four European countries: Ireland, UK, Italy, and Croatia. SAMPLE 2254 NQNMs. The questionnaire was developed using three validated sources: 1. The Q-PDN measures "motives", "conditions" and "importance" given to CPD and "CPD activities undertaken" by nurses. 2. The McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale (MMSS) assesses nurses' job satisfaction. 3. Four questions on Intention to leave current workplace (e.g., ward), organisation, or the nursing profession, adapted from Heinen et al. (2013). The last open-ended question, developed by the RCSI research team, asks the main motivation for leaving the profession. RESULTS Data collection will start by the end of September 2021. Expected outcomes are: 1) Create a database to inform a further pan-European wide survey of NQNMs and their CPD needs and 2) Provide recommendations to regulators, healthcare providers and policy makers about the CPD needs of NQNMs and factors associated with job satisfaction and Intention to Leave. CONCLUSIONS Previous research into CPD demonstrates its potential to improve job satisfaction and retention. Likewise, there is evidence that it is important to support NQNMs through appropriately designed CPD programs. The present European study intends to contribute to the scientific knowledge base on CPD needs and its impact on job satisfaction and retention in NQNMs.