Fit for purpose? Evaluation of CPD courses for nurses in an Irish university teaching hospital.

INTRODUCTION: acute tertiary hospitals require knowledgeable, skilled registered nurses to care for patients in specialist areas. It is also a professional responsibility that nurses maintain skills and competence. This article reports on stage 1 of an action research study to evaluate the delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) courses for registered nurses in an acute hospital in Ireland.

METHODS: an audit and qualitative self-reporting questionnaire was used to obtain data. The questionnaire focused on the areas of teaching learning and outcomes. Overall, five CPD courses, each of 26 weeks' duration, were evaluated.

RESULTS: teaching delivery was all didactic and was delivered primarily by clinical staff with expert knowledge and skills, but the teaching approaches varied. The curriculum content was identified as excessive and at a high level for an introductory course, with a large volume of classroom-based theoretical delivery. Participant learning was reported as excellent in the clinical areas; however, this was counterbalanced by heavy workloads and staffing shortages. Participant motivation was also found to influence learning. From an outcome perspective the development of new knowledge and skills was reported in participants who had undertaken the courses, and participants reported that the CPD courses assisted in recruitment and retention.

CONCLUSION: although many positive aspects of the CPD courses were identified, it is clear that some changes were required with particular reference to theoretical delivery and curriculum content.