Exploring factors influencing nurses’ continuing education needs: A qualitative study

Abstract

Nurses’ engagement in continuing nursing education (CNE) is a learning behavior influenced by multiple individual- and workplace-level factors. Identifying factors associated with CNE participation from the learners’ perspectives can inform interventions to improve engagement in CNE. Yet, learning needs are often generated through a dynamic interplay among personal motivation, environmental conditions, professional expectations, job-related pressures, institutional support, financial considerations, career expectations, and family responsibilities. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the factors affecting nurses’ demand for continuing education. A qualitative study was conducted at a traditional medicine institute in Ho Chi Minh City using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 22 participants, including nursing managers and staff nurses. Data were collected from January 2022 to April 2022. Thematic analysis was employed to identify factors influencing the demand for CNE. This study documented that nurses’ demand for CNE was influenced by both individual factors (age, sex, level of education, years of professional experience) and organizational factors (training programs, human resources, infrastructure, policies and regulations, institutional needs, and financial support). Nurses’ demand for continuing education is shaped by multifaceted factors. To promote professional development and improve care quality, comprehensive interventions must encompass both relevant training content and a supportive implementation environment.

Keywords: Continuing nursing education, influencing factors, needs, nurse, Vietnam