Features for Contextualised Continuing Professional Development of Nurses in Military Healthcare

Aim: The study developed features for contextualized professional development for nurses in military healthcare.

Background: Unique challenges are experienced in healthcare for military staff and families that necessitates the contextualized professional development of nurses.

Methods: A qualitative study through focus group discussions involving 12 clinical preceptors of a military hospital clinical education and training unit was done to develop features for contextualized professional development based on the Donabedien Structure-Process-Outcome Model. 

Findings: Refined and contextualized features for continuing professional development based on best evidence from recent peer refereed publications obtained through an integrative literature review are presented. It addresses the optimal enablement of nurses during routine and pandemic care as the study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions: The features for contextualized continuing professional development based on the Donabedien Structure-Process-Outcome Model may be used to enable nurses in military healthcare to render evidence-based care. Formal and informal teaching and learning should be combined.