A message from your PDCs about available resources and practical ways to enhance continuing professional development
General practice nursing is a discipline that is as varied and multifaceted as the nurses who take up these roles. While some will progress academically via postgraduate education or take the route to prescribing or advanced practice, that may not be to everybody’s taste. Each general practice nurse (GPN) will have unique professional development needs according to their background, training, experience, and areas of interest, but we all have a common requirement to engage in continuing professional development (CPD) throughout our careers. As we begin a new year, it might be of interest to examine what CPD means in general practice, and how and where we can access resources and ways to enhance our own development.
CPD is not merely a checkbox on a regulatory checklist; it is a cornerstone of nursing practice that ensures nurses remain competent, confident, and committed to delivering the highest standards of care. Embracing a culture of lifelong learning encourages nurses to view education as a continuous process rather than a one-time event. CPD also plays a crucial role in enhancing the clinical competence of nurses. Through ongoing education and training, practitioners can deepen their knowledge in specialised areas like general practice, refine their skills, and expand their understanding of evidence-based approaches. This results in improved clinical decision-making and ultimately contributes to better patient outcomes.
By participating in CPD activities, nurses also gain insights into best practices, risk management, and patient safety protocols. All of this knowledge is vital in preventing errors, reducing adverse events, and ensuring a secure healthcare environment. However, CPD is not only about acquiring new empirical knowledge, but is also about personal and professional development. Engaging in CPD enhances nurses’ confidence, fosters a sense of professional pride, and contributes to overall job satisfaction, according to myriad research findings.
Throughout 2023 in Nursing in General Practice (NiGP), your Professional Development Coordinators (PDCs) provided updates and information about some of the mandatory, recommended, and potentially beneficial professional development resources for GPNs in Ireland. This year we will continue to take a further look at the opportunities for practice development that might best serve your individual personal and professional needs.
Formal education programmes
Formal education programmes include postgraduate education in universities and educational institutions that offer a range of opportunities to expand practice and qualifications. These resources provide insight and skills in practical areas, such as cervical screening, or the opportunity to specialise in specific areas, such as nursing management of chronic diseases. Formal education programmes may comprise short courses or micro-credentials, eg, the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) Dermatology programme, or longer commitments, eg, the Postgraduate in Primary Care Nursing programme that is currently entering its second semester in University College Dublin.
Clinical workshops and training sessions
Face-to-face learning is less popular than it used to be, with Covid-19 giving us a new respect for and reliance on online learning. There will, however, always be some requirement to attend clinical workshops and training sessions, such as those on offer in ear examination and irrigation and the type 2 diabetes workshop. This provides GPNs with hands-on experience and updates on the latest advancements in medical treatments and procedures. These sessions focus on practical skills, ensuring nurses stay proficient within the clinical setting.
Online learning platforms
Online learning platforms offer flexibility for nurses to engage in CPD activities at their convenience. These include the regular webinars on offer from CervicalCheck, the National Immunisation Office, and, of course, the PDC monthly lunchtime webinars which take place on the second last Friday of each month — as detailed in the last edition of NiGP.
Diabetes Ireland, The National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), and the ICGP are just some of the key providers of online learning that can be accessed easily, and at a time and place convenient to the learner. For the provider, it increases exposure and allows a wider audience, but can have its challenges in measuring engagement and evaluating learning outcomes.
Research and publications
Subscribing to and reading journals and other publications relevant to practice encourages nurses to stay appraised of research findings and advances in nursing knowledge. It also generates critical evaluation skills and fosters an evidence-based practice environment.
Engaging in research activities and contributing to publications allows nurses to participate in, and contribute to, the growth of nursing literature, promotes personal and professional development, and shares knowledge and experience among peers and the wider community. The editorial team at NiGP welcome new authors, particularly those working in general practice settings, and provide support throughout the writing and publishing processes.
Professional conferences and events
Attending conferences and events provides nurses with opportunities to network with peers, experts, and professionals from diverse backgrounds, to exchange ideas and stay informed about the latest research and developments in nursing. Conferences often feature keynote speakers and experts in the field, offering attendees access to cutting-edge research and thought leadership. Question-and-answer sessions and discussions with experts further provide a unique opportunity for nurses to seek advice and clarification on specific topics. Many conferences and seminars offer continuing education credits, contributing to nurses’ ongoing professional development and fulfilling regulatory requirements for licensure.
Participating in and presenting at conferences or other events provides a platform for personal, as well as professional, growth. It allows nurses to build confidence, enhance presentation skills and critical thinking abilities, and offers us an opportunity to showcase our successes, research, and innovations. For many, participation also fosters a culture of lifelong learning, intellectual curiosity, and a path towards clinical excellence.
Reflective practice
Reflective practice encourages nurses to analyse and learn from their experiences, promotes continuous self-improvement, and enhances logical and productive cognitive processes. It can be perceived as a somewhat abstract notion, particularly outside of the structured and academic educational settings. Reflective practice is, however, a valuable and research-supported skill in evaluating experiences, actions, and decisions with the aim of gaining insights and improving future practice.
Cultivating reflective skills is a cornerstone of quality improvement in healthcare. By reflecting on clinical outcomes and patient interactions, nurses can also identify patterns, trends, and potential areas for improvement within their practice. Continuous quality improvement subsequently leads to enhanced patient care and contributes to the overall improvement of healthcare systems.
Portfolio development
Developing a CPD portfolio helps nurses track and document their learning and achievements over time, meeting the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland’s registration requirements, and effectively providing evidence of achievements, competencies, and areas of expertise. Portfolios can include evidence of ongoing learning, such as attendance at conferences, completion of advanced certifications, and participation in research projects. A portfolio also promotes professional accountability by providing a record of adherence to CPD requirements, and serves as a tool for self-assessment, as well as goal setting and career planning.
Conclusion
So that’s a lot, right? The reality is that our commitment to CPD will vary throughout our careers, and be influenced by our personal lives and individual situations too. GPNs are already heavily burdened by the ongoing challenges general practice is facing, and are quite unique in that CPD often happens in their own time and at their own expense. There are indeed many factors affecting our CPD journeys, but lifelong learning can be cultivated through a diverse range of practices and resources.
Simply reading a journal article at lunchtime or developing self-reflection skills will augment knowledge, skills, and CPD for those who cannot commit to extended periods of formal learning. For others, entering a formal education programme or participating in formal events can significantly enhance professional, personal, and career development. CPD can be achieved in many ways, and your PDCs are available again this year to support GPNs at all stages of their individual development. We would be pleased to discuss your individual requirements, areas of interest and service needs, and help you to formulate a plan for your practice development that fits your needs.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.