Factors influencing nurses' engagement with CPD activities: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Continuing professional development (CPD) is necessary for nurse registration and development. Understanding the factors influencing engagement may enhance CPD uptake. Review question: What factors influence hospital-based nurses' engagement with CPD activities in the UK? Design: This was a systematic review incorporating narrative synthesis. Database searches for published and grey literature from January 1995 to November 2018 were conducted via EBSCO Discovery Service, the British Nursing Index and the British Library. Review methods: An approved systematic review protocol was followed with studies then assessed against strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included studies were critically appraised, data extracted and a narrative synthesis conducted. Findings: Five studies were reviewed. Four themes emerged: nurses' individual resources, their professional motivation, organisational commitment to learning and development, and managerial support. Conclusion: Factors influencing nurses' engagement with activities are multifaceted and inter-woven. A question-based checklist to facilitate discussions between nurses and educators, managers or appraisers is presented.