Nurse prescribers need more CPD

Between February and April 2009, researchers led by Molly Courtenay, professor of prescribing and medicines at the University of Reading, surveyed 546 nurses registered on the Association for Nurse Prescribing database.

Three-quarters of the nurses felt they needed more education and training in the pharmacology of medicines, and more than half felt their continuing professional development needs were not being met in the areas of assessment and diagnosis.

Additionally, 44% reported a lack of CPD regarding knowledge of conditions. More than half the respondents prescribed for respiratory conditions, yet 41% said they need more education and training in this area. Similarly, 42% of the nurses prescribed for pain, but almost one-third said they needed more CPD in this area.

‘The high numbers of nurses who report pharmacological needs has to be taken into consideration by those involved in the development and delivery of CPD for nurse prescribers,’ the researchers said.

‘In addition, the large numbers of nurses prescribing for respiratory conditions and pain, and the high percentage of nurses reporting CPD needs in these areas, should be borne in mind by those involved in undergraduate training,’ they added.

The preferred method for undertaking CPD was e-learning – supported by 59.9% of respondents – while the least preferred method was evening meetings.

Nurse Prescribing (2009) 7: 255–262

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