Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Requirements

Continuing profession development of CPD is the means to improve, maintain and increase professional knowledge, expertise, qualities and skills required to excel in chosen profession. The paper discusses continuing professional development in the context of Nursing.

For nursing professionals, the CPD is the cycle of identifying learning needs, monitoring practice, and career planning, engaging in learning activities, and reflecting on the values of these activities. CPD is the platform for lifelong foundation that helps the nurses to meet their obligations to provide safe, effective and ethical care (Katsikitis et al., 2013). 

In Australia, The Nursing and Midwifery Board or NMB regulate the nursing practice. It key role is to protect the public by developing professional guidelines, code of ethics, registration standards for nurses. It establishes the professional requirements and ensures safe practice for nurses in Australia. The board mandates the nurses to complete minimum number of continuing professional development hours related to nursing practice. It is the registration standard of the board. The nurses are required to engage in activities that are a part of their professional development each year and maintain a record of them and the hours of CPD (Katsikitis et al., 2013).

As per the NMB board the CPD requirements for registration of nurses are at least 20 hours for registered nurses, enrolled nurses (division 2), and registered midwifes. For the registration of nurse practioners there is a need of at least 20 hours of work as nurse or midwifes and further 10 hours for endorsement. Midwifes who are eligible require at least 20 hours of registration as midwife or nurse and 20 hours of endorsement. Prior to registration, the CPD hours can be counted any time within 12 months period (Pool et al., 2015). The nurses must prepare a portfolio of number of CPD activities performed and number of hours every year. The recordkeeping can be made as per the guidelines or the template provided by the concerned organisation. After, completing the CPD, it is mandatory for the nurses to submit the declaration of the completed hours. The nurses must reflect on their learning to evaluate the outcomes. Reflection is the part of giving careful thought on the work related experiences and to identify ways to improve. Nurses must reflect on areas of strength, collect feedback on their performance and work towards eliminating weak areas (Moon, 2013).

In certain situations, the nurses are required to submit the evidence of CPD. In case of audit, the nurses might have to provide the CPD attendances such as number of hours, dates, payments and enrolment forms, score sheets, and certification of participation. The nurses must retain these records at least for three years in case of audit. Every year, in case of audit the board reserves the right to randomly select a number of their registered nurses. Therefore, it is necessary to take control of CPD as it is the evidence of the achievement. It is basis to plan next stage of career. Thus, CPD is the evidence of the progress of career. It is the source of inspiration to maintain commitment towards professional development (Ross, & Stevens, 2013).

References

Katsikitis, M., McAllister, M., Sharman, R., Raith, L., Faithfull-Byrne, A., & Priaulx, R. (2013). Continuing professional development in Nursing in Australia: Current awareness, practice and future directions. Contemporary nurse, 45(1), 33-45.

Moon, J. A. (2013). Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice. Routledge.

Pool, I. A., Poell, R. F., Berings, M. G., & ten Cate, O. (2015). Strategies for continuing professional development among younger, middle-aged, and older nurses: A biographical approach. International journal of nursing studies, 52(5), 939-950.

Ross, K., Barr, J., & Stevens, J. (2013). Mandatory continuing professional development requirements: what does this mean for Australian nurses. BMC Nursing, 12(1), 9.