The perception of staff nurses working in Ibri Regional Hospital in Oman about the CPDs' activities

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is considered as the systematic improvement and maintenance for improving the skills and knowledge for the development of professional qualities. CPD is considered as a subset for lifelong learning for gaining recognition in professional and personal application. The purpose of the study is to determine the CPD activities which help them to improve the care provided to the patients and is effective for their career progression of nurses working at Ibri Regional Hospital in Oman regarding CPD activities' offered to them. In order to answer the research questions indicated in Chapter 1, a quantitative approach is the most appropriate for this study. A sample of 40- 50 nurses working in Ibri Regional Hospital will be used for the study. Quantitative research method is used so the data analyses were conducted through SPSS version 16. There is a need of expanding and the importance of CPD activities and ensuring that if these activities are carried out they can help the nurse to improve the nurse decision making and it will also help in improving the patient's health care services.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Significance of the study2

Purpose of the Study2

Research question3

Aim and objectives of the Study3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

Nurses Present Participation in CPD activities4

Nursing professional development6

Change towards professional development7

Delivery of nursing Education11

Attitudes Related to Education12

Nurses' perceptions about CPD activities15

Intrinsic Factors19

Quality of Patient Care20

Nurse perception and education level20

Lifelong learning and professional development21

Professional Lifelong Education23

Lifelong learning through CPD activities24

Barriers Affecting CPD activities27

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY31

Research Philosophy31

Data Collection32

Questionnaires33

Sampling34

Data analysis35

Validity and Reliability36

Research Ethics37

Confidentiality37

Informed Consent38

Access38

Ethical Issues of Investigation38

Possible Constraints of the Dissertation39

Time Frame39

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS42

Survey Analysis42

Discussion55

Nurses' perceptions about CPD activities55

Present Participation in CPD activities63

Barriers Affecting CPD activities70

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND FUTURE OUTCOMES77

Conclusion77

Future CPD methods78

Evaluation of Continuing Nursing Professional Development Activities78

Changing Nursing Practice through Continuing Education82

Nurses steps for improving professional development83

REFERENCES85

BIBLIOGRAPHY89

APPENDICES91

Questionnaire91

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

A patient expectation lies in the provision of high quality services which leads health providers to improve their health care services to meet the expectations of the patients. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is considered as the systematic improvement and maintenance for improving the skills and knowledge for the development of personal qualities which are necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the life of an individual (Griffitts, 2002, p. 23). During the process of continuous professional development individuals take control of their learning and development by undergoing the process of action and reflection. CPD is required not only for fulfilling the ...