Investigating motivational aspects of continuing professional development amongst nursing staff in the Irish health service

In the past individuals attained their educational credentials and that was considered to be the sum total of their professional development. However, in an era of decreasing job security and fewer opportunities for upward mobility, organisations must provide employees with career growth opportunities to ensure their future employability (Chay & Ayree 1999). Thus the provision of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for employees has become an increasingly salient issue for many organisations. This is particularly the case for healthcare professionals. CPD is particularly important in the health service sector because of its constant state of flux, attributable to constant technological, social and economic changes, both domestically and internationally (Commission on Nursing 1998). Such services rely heavily on their employees’ ability to keep up-to-date with frequent changes to the structure and nature of work undertaken within this dynamic environment.