Neonatal asphyxia is the leading cause of neonatal deaths in Rwanda. The
Helping Babies Breathe (HBB©) course was initiated by the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) in 2010 to help in reducing neonatal mortality in resource limited areas.
Little is known about nurses’ experiences of applying the knowledge and skills acquired
from HBB© courses in Rwanda. This study aimed to explore nurses’ experiences of
translating continuing professional development education utilizing the HBB© course to
nursing practice in Rwanda. This study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive
design. A convenience sample of 10 nurses participated in individual interviews. Three
categories emerged from the analysis: 1) application of competencies acquired from
education sessions to practice, 2) benefits of continuing professional development (CPD),
and 3) facilitators and barriers to the application of competencies into practice. These
study findings underscore a need to attend to the shortages of nurses and lack of neonatal
resuscitation materials and equipment in Rwanda.