Definition
CPD means Continuing Professional Development and is the term used to describe the learning activities professionals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities. It refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training.
It’s a record of what you experience, learn, and then apply. CPD is a combination of approaches, ideas, and techniques that will help you manage your own learning and growth
What is meant by CPD courses?
CPD courses are meant for professional development with access to a wide variety of topics in many different formats. This breadth of knowledge means you can pick and choose which areas you study and develop.
CPD courses provide an opportunity for nurses to identify knowledge gaps and resolve these in a recognizable approach to improvement. Continuing Professional Development courses help healthcare professionals to regularly focus on how they can become more competent and effective professionals.
Importance of CPD (continuing professional development)
Nurses must maintain high professional standards to deliver safe and quality care to all their patients. They must also understand and manage many challenging and emotional situations daily. Therefore, they must keep their knowledge and skills up to date through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training. According to the Health & Professions Council:
“CPD is important because you continue to learn and develop, keeping skills and knowledge up to date so you are able to practice safely and effectively throughout your career.
What is the purpose of CPD accreditation courses in the UK?
Accredited CPD training means the learning activity has reached the required Continuing Professional Development standards and benchmarks. The learning value has been scrutinized to ensure integrity and quality.
In the UK, to be a registered nurse you must have NMC revalidation. One of the requirements for NMC revalidation is 35 hours of CPD activity. The CPD accredited courses help professionals to fulfill their requirements.
Why should you choose CPD?
CPD provides a panoramic view of an individual’s skill set, enabling them to hone their prevalent skills while improving those that require work. Ultimately, continual upskilling boosts confidence and empowers the individual to become more proficient in their role.
CPD not only improves your skill set but also gives you the flexibility to adjust with the workplace. Participating in CPD can assist you in preparing for future employment while also demonstrating your dedication to professional growth in a world that is constantly changing.
Top 5 CPD courses for nurses
The top 5 CPD courses for nurses are the following:
- Duty of Care
- Health and Safety in a Care Setting
- Introduction to the Safe Handling of Medicines
- Understanding your Role in Care
- Person-Centred Care
CPD examples
Attending meetings that provide updates for clinical features pertinent to a nurse’s duty, such as blood transfusions, manual handling, and safeguarding, are a few straightforward examples of nursing CPD activities.
The second option is for nurses to engage in independent learning by reading nursing training articles about caring for those who are terminally ill and the priorities needed towards the end of life. Given that dealing with mortality makes up a significant portion of many professional practicing nurses’ work, this form of CPD learning may be considered as essential by a healthcare worker.
Moreover, activities that include autonomous learning, such as taking CPD courses on IV therapy, may instruct a trained nurse in the theory and application of IV therapy.
Conclusion
CPD is a collection of approaches, ideas, and techniques that will help you manage your own learning and growth. Nursing Revalidation provides a wide variety of CPD accredited courses for your professional development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CPD certified?
What is a CPD point in the UK?
How does CPD points are calculated?
As an illustration, let’s imagine you go to a one-day training session on administering first aid. The class meets from 10 am to 5 pm, including a one-hour lunch break. You would receive 9 CPD points for taking that training course.
