Motivational forces affecting participation in post-registration degree courses and effects on home and work life: a qualitative study

Over the past decade, pre- and post-registration education for nurses and m idwives in the United Kingdom has undergone major change, creating an atmos phere where continuing professional development is a matter of priority for individual health care staff. Against this context of change, and as part of a larger study of continuing education and training in the National Heal th Service, a cohort of participants in a part-time health studies degree c ourse were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. Twenty-nine nurses , midwives and allied professional staff described their motives for partic ipation in the course and its effects on their professional and personal li ves. Data collected in interviews were analysed using qualitative methods a nd revealed that participation was encouraged by both professional and pers onal factors. For many staff participation was prompted by negative feeling s about themselves and their professional status. Participation in the cour se was associated with (largely negative) changes in home and family life a nd most participants faced additional financial burdens, The findings of th e study have implications for policy relating to the funding of continual p rofessional education for nurses and other health care staff. Health care s taff are receiving mixed messages about continuing education from policy ma kers and employers. Dependence on willingness and ability to pay for post-r egistration degree-level studies is unlikely to be an efficient or equitabl e means of ensuring lifelong learning for healthcare staff.