One-day workshops, a platform for continuous professional development of nursing staff in a neonatal intensive care unit

• Published in: Journal of adult and continuing education Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 252 - 266
• Main Authors: van Heerden, Carlien, Maree, Carin, Yazbek, Mariatha, Janse van Rensburg, Elsie S, Leech, Ronell
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-11-2019
• Subjects: Action Research; Evidence Based Practice; Foreign Countries; Hospitals; Medical Services; Neonates; Nurses; Nursing; Observation; Planning; Professional Continuing Education; Reflection; Workshops; South Africa; continuous professional development; neonatal intensive care unit; adult education; One-day workshops; nursing staff
• ISSN: 1477-9714; 1479-7194
• DOI: 10.1177/1477971419861775

The neonatal field is constantly changing with the development of new evidence-based practice and technology. The purpose of this paper is to report on a research project that aimed to create a platform for continuous professional development to improve evidence-based neonatal practice using action research. Using Problem Resolving Action Research, a process consisting of plan, act, observe and reflect was applied by a steering committee. A nominal group discussion technique determined training priorities of nursing staff in a neonatal intensive care unit and questionnaires obtained demographic data of participants and information pertaining to workshops and professional development over a period of two years. The findings indicate that one-day workshops serve as a valuable platform to contribute to professional development to improve quality care in neonatal practice.