Suchergebnisse

This study is oriented to understand the meaning of work of social workers who work with mentally disabled persons by their professional experiences. A social worker is a like a tool and participant in the interaction with a client. The same interaction generates certain meaning with clients. Through his activities and a way of thinking the social worker constantly carries a certain meaning. The perception of meaning of their activities and spirituality allows a social worker to evaluate a complexity of human life, to generate ideas, to analyze mistakes and to avoid them in future. This study reveals some internal factors which led to choose to work with mentally disabled people, factors, which encourage/support and gives the sense to remain at work and which things can cause doubts about remaining at that particular work. The object of study is a variety of experiences of social workers who work with mentally disabled people. The purpose of this research is to reveal the experiences of social workers. The objectives of the research: 1) To reveal the factors which determine a choice of social workers to work with mentally disabled persons. 2) To reveal the supporting factors which allow a social worker to have a desire to remain at work with mentally disabled clients. 3) To reveal the factors which cause doubts about staying at current job position. In order to reveal work experiences of social workers who work with mentally disabled people has been selected a qualitative research method. Semi-structured individual interviews were chosen as a data collection method. Method of data analysis has bee a descriptive content analysis, based on the grounded theory. The background of this research was based on interpretative - constructivist ontology and subjectivist position of epistemology. There were 7 participants to take part in this research, all 7 have longer than 5 year-old experience in the field of social work. The results of the study revealed a number of factors of a choice to work with a mentally disabled persons. These factors are: a desire to help, an acceptance of a challenge, a help by a casual acquaintances in order to enter into the job position. The study showed that motivating and encouraging to remain in actual work position factors are related with a good relationship with colleagues, individual work with clients and government support. Factors that caused doubts about remaining in current job position are: too heavy workload, documentation and poor relationship with the professionals from other departments or fields.

This study is oriented to understand the meaning of work of social workers who work with mentally disabled persons by their professional experiences. A social worker is a like a tool and participant in the interaction with a client. The same interaction generates certain meaning with clients. Through his activities and a way of thinking the social worker constantly carries a certain meaning. The perception of meaning of their activities and spirituality allows a social worker to evaluate a complexity of human life, to generate ideas, to analyze mistakes and to avoid them in future. This study reveals some internal factors which led to choose to work with mentally disabled people, factors, which encourage/support and gives the sense to remain at work and which things can cause doubts about remaining at that particular work. The object of study is a variety of experiences of social workers who work with mentally disabled people. The purpose of this research is to reveal the experiences of social workers. The objectives of the research: 1) To reveal the factors which determine a choice of social workers to work with mentally disabled persons. 2) To reveal the supporting factors which allow a social worker to have a desire to remain at work with mentally disabled clients. 3) To reveal the factors which cause doubts about staying at current job position. In order to reveal work experiences of social workers who work with mentally disabled people has been selected a qualitative research method. Semi-structured individual interviews were chosen as a data collection method. Method of data analysis has bee a descriptive content analysis, based on the grounded theory. The background of this research was based on interpretative - constructivist ontology and subjectivist position of epistemology. There were 7 participants to take part in this research, all 7 have longer than 5 year-old experience in the field of social work. The results of the study revealed a number of factors of a choice to work with a mentally disabled persons. These factors are: a desire to help, an acceptance of a challenge, a help by a casual acquaintances in order to enter into the job position. The study showed that motivating and encouraging to remain in actual work position factors are related with a good relationship with colleagues, individual work with clients and government support. Factors that caused doubts about remaining in current job position are: too heavy workload, documentation and poor relationship with the professionals from other departments or fields.

This study is oriented to understand the meaning of work of social workers who work with mentally disabled persons by their professional experiences. A social worker is a like a tool and participant in the interaction with a client. The same interaction generates certain meaning with clients. Through his activities and a way of thinking the social worker constantly carries a certain meaning. The perception of meaning of their activities and spirituality allows a social worker to evaluate a complexity of human life, to generate ideas, to analyze mistakes and to avoid them in future. This study reveals some internal factors which led to choose to work with mentally disabled people, factors, which encourage/support and gives the sense to remain at work and which things can cause doubts about remaining at that particular work. The object of study is a variety of experiences of social workers who work with mentally disabled people. The purpose of this research is to reveal the experiences of social workers. The objectives of the research: 1) To reveal the factors which determine a choice of social workers to work with mentally disabled persons. 2) To reveal the supporting factors which allow a social worker to have a desire to remain at work with mentally disabled clients. 3) To reveal the factors which cause doubts about staying at current job position. In order to reveal work experiences of social workers who work with mentally disabled people has been selected a qualitative research method. Semi-structured individual interviews were chosen as a data collection method. Method of data analysis has bee a descriptive content analysis, based on the grounded theory. The background of this research was based on interpretative - constructivist ontology and subjectivist position of epistemology. There were 7 participants to take part in this research, all 7 have longer than 5 year-old experience in the field of social work. The results of the study revealed a number of factors of a choice to work with a mentally disabled persons. These factors are: a desire to help, an acceptance of a challenge, a help by a casual acquaintances in order to enter into the job position. The study showed that motivating and encouraging to remain in actual work position factors are related with a good relationship with colleagues, individual work with clients and government support. Factors that caused doubts about remaining in current job position are: too heavy workload, documentation and poor relationship with the professionals from other departments or fields.

Aim of the study. To reveal the outlook of specialists, providing care for children with autism spectrum disorder and parents, raising a child with this disorder towards services provided for families and the need for service improvement. Objectives. 1. To perform a service type analysis in governmental, non-governmental and private institutions, providing assistance for families, raising a child with autism spectrum disorder in Kaunas city; 2. To reveal the parent outlook towards services provided for a child with autism spectrum disorder and his immediate family; 3. To reveal the autism spectrum disorder children assisting specialist outlook towards services provided for a child with autism spectrum disorder and his immediate family. Methods. Descriptive qualitative research method, employing semi-structured interviews was used to conduct this study. Rezultatai. Specialists and families, raising a child with autism spectrum disorder positively evaluated the level of ASD diagnostics in Lithuania. The supply of services for families and children with ASD is available in Kaunas city, although the lack of valid information, regarding the autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, services for the diagnosed and the ability to use them is a major issue. Results. The study revealed undermined service accessibility and it's causing factors: lack of tolerance for children with ASD from the members of society, likely caused by the shortage of information about this particular type of disorder; a demand for individualised services for the affected children; a demand for money and time from the family. It was ascertained, that according to specialist and parent outlook, the shortage of accessible services results from poor financing and the lack of specialists in institutions, providing assistance for the families raising a child with ASD. Main factors, affecting the service quality and it's effectiveness for children with ASD were identified: success of interaction between a child and a specialist, as well as the influence of environment in which the service is provided; competence level of a specialist providing the services and determination of parents in the process of providing assistance for their child.

Aim of the study. To reveal the outlook of specialists, providing care for children with autism spectrum disorder and parents, raising a child with this disorder towards services provided for families and the need for service improvement. Objectives. 1. To perform a service type analysis in governmental, non-governmental and private institutions, providing assistance for families, raising a child with autism spectrum disorder in Kaunas city; 2. To reveal the parent outlook towards services provided for a child with autism spectrum disorder and his immediate family; 3. To reveal the autism spectrum disorder children assisting specialist outlook towards services provided for a child with autism spectrum disorder and his immediate family. Methods. Descriptive qualitative research method, employing semi-structured interviews was used to conduct this study. Rezultatai. Specialists and families, raising a child with autism spectrum disorder positively evaluated the level of ASD diagnostics in Lithuania. The supply of services for families and children with ASD is available in Kaunas city, although the lack of valid information, regarding the autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, services for the diagnosed and the ability to use them is a major issue. Results. The study revealed undermined service accessibility and it's causing factors: lack of tolerance for children with ASD from the members of society, likely caused by the shortage of information about this particular type of disorder; a demand for individualised services for the affected children; a demand for money and time from the family. It was ascertained, that according to specialist and parent outlook, the shortage of accessible services results from poor financing and the lack of specialists in institutions, providing assistance for the families raising a child with ASD. Main factors, affecting the service quality and it's effectiveness for children with ASD were identified: success of interaction between a child and a specialist, as well as the influence of environment in which the service is provided; competence level of a specialist providing the services and determination of parents in the process of providing assistance for their child.

Populism is a widespreaded conception, often used in the discourse of political scientists, media or common citizens. However, only in the recent period scientists attempted to adapt this conception to empirical research or to use a comperative approach. Populism researches in Lithuania practically do not exist yet. Nevertheless, populism topic is relevant: usually it is associated with negative impact on stable function of democracy, or in the context of East and Central Europe region – a setback for further democracy and party system consolidation. Parliamentary elections in the period of 2011-2012 occurred after harsh economical crisis in Baltic region, therefore potential populism success is more presumable. The main goal of this research is to analyse the election programmes of political parties in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the 2011-2012 parliament election period. To reach this goal, the study of populism research evolution in political sciences is made. One may find various theoretical approaches of populism phenomena, so scholar must adjust one particular explanation and theoretical approach. Populism as a pathology of democracy explanation is used in this study, because it most properly corresponds with recently context of populism in Europe. Consequently, the complex bond between modern democracy and populism phenomena is accomplished. I maintain that populism is primarily a thin ideology and this approach enables to analyse party programmes. Specific attention for populism sources and evolution in postcommunist period of Baltic states is also rendered. Particular research model with seven main parameters of populism is adapted in this study. Hereby, all political parties, which participated in the parliament elections in the period of 2011-2012 are being analysed and the concrete degree of populism is measured. Finally, the comparison of three cases is submitted. Content analysis, descriptive and comperative methods are used in this research. Analysis revealed, that populism spreaded in the Baltic states in almost same period, moreover the sources and causes are also similar. Results demonstrated 12 existing populist ideology parties in Baltic, 3 of them successfully entered parliament. The comparison of all political parties in Baltic states revealed that the average populism level is the highest in Lithuania, the lowest – in Estonia. Moreover, some populist rhetoric and populist practical politics differences were found.

Populism is a widespreaded conception, often used in the discourse of political scientists, media or common citizens. However, only in the recent period scientists attempted to adapt this conception to empirical research or to use a comperative approach. Populism researches in Lithuania practically do not exist yet. Nevertheless, populism topic is relevant: usually it is associated with negative impact on stable function of democracy, or in the context of East and Central Europe region – a setback for further democracy and party system consolidation. Parliamentary elections in the period of 2011-2012 occurred after harsh economical crisis in Baltic region, therefore potential populism success is more presumable. The main goal of this research is to analyse the election programmes of political parties in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the 2011-2012 parliament election period. To reach this goal, the study of populism research evolution in political sciences is made. One may find various theoretical approaches of populism phenomena, so scholar must adjust one particular explanation and theoretical approach. Populism as a pathology of democracy explanation is used in this study, because it most properly corresponds with recently context of populism in Europe. Consequently, the complex bond between modern democracy and populism phenomena is accomplished. I maintain that populism is primarily a thin ideology and this approach enables to analyse party programmes. Specific attention for populism sources and evolution in postcommunist period of Baltic states is also rendered. Particular research model with seven main parameters of populism is adapted in this study. Hereby, all political parties, which participated in the parliament elections in the period of 2011-2012 are being analysed and the concrete degree of populism is measured. Finally, the comparison of three cases is submitted. Content analysis, descriptive and comperative methods are used in this research. Analysis revealed, that populism spreaded in the Baltic states in almost same period, moreover the sources and causes are also similar. Results demonstrated 12 existing populist ideology parties in Baltic, 3 of them successfully entered parliament. The comparison of all political parties in Baltic states revealed that the average populism level is the highest in Lithuania, the lowest – in Estonia. Moreover, some populist rhetoric and populist practical politics differences were found.

Populism is a widespreaded conception, often used in the discourse of political scientists, media or common citizens. However, only in the recent period scientists attempted to adapt this conception to empirical research or to use a comperative approach. Populism researches in Lithuania practically do not exist yet. Nevertheless, populism topic is relevant: usually it is associated with negative impact on stable function of democracy, or in the context of East and Central Europe region – a setback for further democracy and party system consolidation. Parliamentary elections in the period of 2011-2012 occurred after harsh economical crisis in Baltic region, therefore potential populism success is more presumable. The main goal of this research is to analyse the election programmes of political parties in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the 2011-2012 parliament election period. To reach this goal, the study of populism research evolution in political sciences is made. One may find various theoretical approaches of populism phenomena, so scholar must adjust one particular explanation and theoretical approach. Populism as a pathology of democracy explanation is used in this study, because it most properly corresponds with recently context of populism in Europe. Consequently, the complex bond between modern democracy and populism phenomena is accomplished. I maintain that populism is primarily a thin ideology and this approach enables to analyse party programmes. Specific attention for populism sources and evolution in postcommunist period of Baltic states is also rendered. Particular research model with seven main parameters of populism is adapted in this study. Hereby, all political parties, which participated in the parliament elections in the period of 2011-2012 are being analysed and the concrete degree of populism is measured. Finally, the comparison of three cases is submitted. Content analysis, descriptive and comperative methods are used in this research. Analysis revealed, that populism spreaded in the Baltic states in almost same period, moreover the sources and causes are also similar. Results demonstrated 12 existing populist ideology parties in Baltic, 3 of them successfully entered parliament. The comparison of all political parties in Baltic states revealed that the average populism level is the highest in Lithuania, the lowest – in Estonia. Moreover, some populist rhetoric and populist practical politics differences were found.

European Union (EU) transport policy aims at creating appropriate transport systems that meets economical, social and environmental demands and improves the wealth of Europe. Transport in general and roads in particular play an economic role of prime importance in modern economies by implementing the free movement of persons, goods and services. Road transport's inland market share is the largest with carrying 44 percent of goods and 85 percent of passengers and keeps increasing with 3 million vehicles per year. In a highly competitive market, in which companies are under pressure to keep costs to a minimum, action must be taken to improve compliance with essential rules. Compliance with the provisions cannot be enforced unless proper and effective control is brought to bear. This study aims at pointing out the enforcement's abilities to ensure that the working time rules are applied and enforced uniformly and fairly throughout the Union to avoid any distortion of competition. The following methods of research was used in the study: analysis of documents for studying the legislation, descriptive statistics for presenting quantitative and qualitative results of control, comparison method for developing essential factors that makes influence improving road transport conditions, their reciprocity and dependence. There are three main parts in the study. The first one proposes the review of EU transport policy with its main aims, goals, implementing tools as well as description of institutions that makes transport policy, the elaboration of social legislation on road transport sector, environmental requirements. The second part makes analysis of the place of the national state in the common EU transport policy, introduces the financial EU assistance to Lithuanian road transport and defines the main enforcement and control objectives of Lithuanian road transport's sector. Analysis on enforcement of EU road transport activity which is aimed to create equal and favourable competition conditions for free and secure transportation of passengers and goods was determined in the third part of the study. The analysis shows how does the quality and quantity of the control has changed after social legislation was simplified, clarified and renewed. It has been identified in the research that only with a more coherent set of rules there can be greater respect for EU social norms. The harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport sought to harmonise the conditions of competition, to improve working conditions and road safety. In order to promote social progress and improve road safety, each enforcement authority of EU should focus control ever more strongly on observing the driving and rest regime.

European Union (EU) transport policy aims at creating appropriate transport systems that meets economical, social and environmental demands and improves the wealth of Europe. Transport in general and roads in particular play an economic role of prime importance in modern economies by implementing the free movement of persons, goods and services. Road transport's inland market share is the largest with carrying 44 percent of goods and 85 percent of passengers and keeps increasing with 3 million vehicles per year. In a highly competitive market, in which companies are under pressure to keep costs to a minimum, action must be taken to improve compliance with essential rules. Compliance with the provisions cannot be enforced unless proper and effective control is brought to bear. This study aims at pointing out the enforcement's abilities to ensure that the working time rules are applied and enforced uniformly and fairly throughout the Union to avoid any distortion of competition. The following methods of research was used in the study: analysis of documents for studying the legislation, descriptive statistics for presenting quantitative and qualitative results of control, comparison method for developing essential factors that makes influence improving road transport conditions, their reciprocity and dependence. There are three main parts in the study. The first one proposes the review of EU transport policy with its main aims, goals, implementing tools as well as description of institutions that makes transport policy, the elaboration of social legislation on road transport sector, environmental requirements. The second part makes analysis of the place of the national state in the common EU transport policy, introduces the financial EU assistance to Lithuanian road transport and defines the main enforcement and control objectives of Lithuanian road transport's sector. Analysis on enforcement of EU road transport activity which is aimed to create equal and favourable competition conditions for free and secure transportation of passengers and goods was determined in the third part of the study. The analysis shows how does the quality and quantity of the control has changed after social legislation was simplified, clarified and renewed. It has been identified in the research that only with a more coherent set of rules there can be greater respect for EU social norms. The harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport sought to harmonise the conditions of competition, to improve working conditions and road safety. In order to promote social progress and improve road safety, each enforcement authority of EU should focus control ever more strongly on observing the driving and rest regime.

This work is of theoretical and practical importance, that is, generation of new knowledge associated with mobile commerce adoption in terms of security concerns and trust which will help not only future researchers but also e-businesses. Despite the fact researchers have examined the adoption of m-commerce in a holistic way, the author found there was no research focusing solely and in-depth on the determinants of trust and perceived risk. The problem was to examine how the above determinants affect the intention to adopt m-commerce. The objects are mobile commerce, security concerns and trust. The purpose of this study is twofold, namely, empirical and explanatory. As for the objectives, it was necessary to review the literature, propose a research model, analyze the results, and verify or reject the proposed hypotheses. When it comes to the hypotheses, there was a test on whether trust, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use negatively or positively affect the constructs of the proposed model. The author used theoretical and empirical collection methods. As for the theoretical ones, analogy, generalization and modeling methods were used. Concerning the empirical ones, due to the fact that quantitative approach was chosen, a survey instrument, that is, questionnaire was used. After the results had been collected, SPSS 22 was used to perform descriptive data analysis of Likert summative scales. At last, the results along with the research limitations were discussed. The final outcome of this study was to confirm all the proposed hypotheses. As for the conclusions, the perception of risk in terms of privacy, m-payments, m-commerce legislation and quality of delivered products has negative effect in the intention to use mobile commerce. Additionally, trust elements such as good reputation, enticing promises, good encryption security and transparency, reduce the perception of risk and increase the intention to use m-commerce. Also, the availability of policies that are easy to understand and find, has positive effect in the intention to use m-commerce. Last, but not least, when customers feel free of risks and have high level of trust in the intention to use mobile commerce they actually adopt it.

This work is of theoretical and practical importance, that is, generation of new knowledge associated with mobile commerce adoption in terms of security concerns and trust which will help not only future researchers but also e-businesses. Despite the fact researchers have examined the adoption of m-commerce in a holistic way, the author found there was no research focusing solely and in-depth on the determinants of trust and perceived risk. The problem was to examine how the above determinants affect the intention to adopt m-commerce. The objects are mobile commerce, security concerns and trust. The purpose of this study is twofold, namely, empirical and explanatory. As for the objectives, it was necessary to review the literature, propose a research model, analyze the results, and verify or reject the proposed hypotheses. When it comes to the hypotheses, there was a test on whether trust, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use negatively or positively affect the constructs of the proposed model. The author used theoretical and empirical collection methods. As for the theoretical ones, analogy, generalization and modeling methods were used. Concerning the empirical ones, due to the fact that quantitative approach was chosen, a survey instrument, that is, questionnaire was used. After the results had been collected, SPSS 22 was used to perform descriptive data analysis of Likert summative scales. At last, the results along with the research limitations were discussed. The final outcome of this study was to confirm all the proposed hypotheses. As for the conclusions, the perception of risk in terms of privacy, m-payments, m-commerce legislation and quality of delivered products has negative effect in the intention to use mobile commerce. Additionally, trust elements such as good reputation, enticing promises, good encryption security and transparency, reduce the perception of risk and increase the intention to use m-commerce. Also, the availability of policies that are easy to understand and find, has positive effect in the intention to use m-commerce. Last, but not least, when customers feel free of risks and have high level of trust in the intention to use mobile commerce they actually adopt it.

This study intends to provide a descriptive-analytical inventory of models and policies that Lithuania are using with regard to recruitment, selection and training of statutory officers. For statutory officer ranks, it is compulsory that the applicant have a diploma from a university or a diploma recognized by the Lithuanian state in case they have graduated from a university outside Lithuania. While the idea of university education for statutory officers was first proposed many years ago, there is still no consensus about what officer's professionalism actually means. While the idea of university education for statutory officers is supported by both police and state border guard managers and academics, in principle, the body of knowledge in policing is still being developed. The situation in the world is characterized by a dynamic transformation of the system of international relations. Russia is in a war state against Ukraine now. Practically Russia is in a state of war against Europe. It is a very important in aspect of Lithuanian national security. The primary interests of the Republic of Lithuania are: viability of NATO and the EU, security, democracy and welfare of all states of the Euro-Atlantic community. The external risks, dangers and threats which must be given particular attention by the institutions ensuring national security are as follows: economic and energy dependence (energy, transport, finances and crediting); crime and shadow economy, international organized crime and other cross-border crimes – human trafficking, smuggling, illicit trade in drugs, arms, dual-use items, money laundering, illegal immigration, cyber-crime and other criminal acts. The police and state border guard officers must be professional in order to do their tasks professionally. [.]

This study intends to provide a descriptive-analytical inventory of models and policies that Lithuania are using with regard to recruitment, selection and training of statutory officers. For statutory officer ranks, it is compulsory that the applicant have a diploma from a university or a diploma recognized by the Lithuanian state in case they have graduated from a university outside Lithuania. While the idea of university education for statutory officers was first proposed many years ago, there is still no consensus about what officer's professionalism actually means. While the idea of university education for statutory officers is supported by both police and state border guard managers and academics, in principle, the body of knowledge in policing is still being developed. The situation in the world is characterized by a dynamic transformation of the system of international relations. Russia is in a war state against Ukraine now. Practically Russia is in a state of war against Europe. It is a very important in aspect of Lithuanian national security. The primary interests of the Republic of Lithuania are: viability of NATO and the EU, security, democracy and welfare of all states of the Euro-Atlantic community. The external risks, dangers and threats which must be given particular attention by the institutions ensuring national security are as follows: economic and energy dependence (energy, transport, finances and crediting); crime and shadow economy, international organized crime and other cross-border crimes – human trafficking, smuggling, illicit trade in drugs, arms, dual-use items, money laundering, illegal immigration, cyber-crime and other criminal acts. The police and state border guard officers must be professional in order to do their tasks professionally. [.]

Changes in health care pose an increasing number of organizational challenges. One of them is to ensure well-organized, high-quality, safe and competent nursing care professionals. While training of nurses is compulsory in Lithuania, it is important to assess the needs of nurses' professional development, taking into account their existing and missing competences, as well as to ensure that the knowledge acquired by nurses is used as effectively as possible in practice. Subject of the study: Improvement of the professional competencies of nurses. Problem: How does competences improvement meet the needs of nurses? Aim of the study: Examination of the improvement of the professional competence of nurses. The tasks of the research: To analyse theoretical aspects of the improvement of the professional competence of nurses; to examine the legal regulation of the professional development of nurses; to analyze the assessment of the professional competence of nurses; to identify the need and frequency of the improvement of professional competences of nurses; to examine the factors affecting the frequency and need of the improvement of competences. Study methods: analysis of scientific literature, documents and legislation, questionnaire survey, statistical analysis: descriptive statistics, weighted averages and frequencies in percentage, cross frequency tables, estimated correlation of Spearman, Cronbach alpha criterion, non-parametric criteria Kruskal Wallis test Conclusions: Nurses professional competence can be described as acquired knowledge, skills, understanding and experience in the exercise of their professional role, compliance with the standards required for the organisation and specific workplace. It is important not only to develop it, but also to assess the needs of competence development, and to ensure the ability to acquire and realise the necessary competences at work. Nurses acquire professional competences during nursing studies and continuously expand their professional qualifications according to the procedure established by Health Ministry. The definition of competences is the subject of discussion. There is no single definition or pattern of care competence, but they all have common elements. The study found that nurses feel the need for improvement in all competence groups, the need for improvement and frequency were mostly influenced by the age of respondents, and less often by education. The most important areas for improvement are personal characteristics, peer support and legal knowledge. The least developed competences were related to training activities. The main influences on the selection of vocational training courses are the subject of courses, the number of hours of improvement received, and the convenience of place and time. Most of all, nurses lack knowledge about their day-to-day activities in vocational training courses, such as practical skills, information technology and psychology and legal knowledge. Work structure: The first part of the thesis deals with professional development, its impact on workers and organizations, the development of the skills of nurses, their relationship with their careers, regulation, competence development and evaluation. The second part of the work presents the results of the quantitative study relating to the improvement of the professional competence of nurses, the factors influencing the choice of competence improvement courses, and the skills that nurses miss in improving competences. Conclusions and recommendations shall be provided.