Assessing the need and type of continuing professional development (CPD) for nurses trained and working in Nepal.

Abstract

Nurses can continue to practise without any post registration training or any continuing professional development (CPD) in Nepal. The CPD in Nepal remains under-developed despite the existence of a professional regulatory body, policies on licensure and accreditation of nursing educational institutions in Nepal. This study aims to assess the status of post-registration training (CPD) among nurses in Nepal. It also explore the views of nurses and stakeholders including professional bodies such as the NNC, etc. on the need for and opportunities for post registration CPD for nurses. The study used mixed method approach. The quantitative survey of 500 nursing practitioners with minimum three years post registration experiences and 18 qualitative in-depth interviews with nursing stakeholders and member of professional bodies were conducted. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS 23 and qualitative data was analysed using thematic approach. The quantitative finding suggests that about 50% of the respondents had never attended any training and about 60% were unaware of recognised CPD training in Nepal. However, there is some initiation of good practice in continuous nursing education (CNE) in few hospitals. The majority participant reported that lack of opportunity, lack of provision of CPD in nursing, shortage of staff, lack of notification regarding training, difficult in getting study leave, lack of employers support were key barrier in CPD in nursing practice. The lack of contemporary evidence-based practice and competency based training were highlighted in qualitative interviews. Issues around lack of authorised/ recognised body for CPD, who will provide CPD training, taking ownership and leadership in CPD were also raised. The study suggests for compulsion of licencing renewal with certain number hours of nursing practice and number of hour of CPD in renewal. Staff development policy around hands-on training relevant to current practice is reported as an important issue in CPD. The study also suggests the need for monitoring of authorising body against standards on available trainings. Consistency and quality control/management of training against set standards by professional body is necessary.