Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Description: Demonstrating continuing professional development (CPD) in a portfolio.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Practicing safely in the clinical environment requires a commitment to the continuous process of learning new skills. It is a requirement of clinically-focused professions to engage in CPD and also to maintain an accurate and detailed record of this process.
Assessment Task Two Part One requires you to construct a 500 word written statement that outlines your impending professional obligations to CPD, and explains how this can be achieved using a portfolio.
include in your written statement:
-a definition of continuing professional development
-specific requirements for professional development as outlined by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia
-an explanation of how a portfolio can be used to evidence CPD
your response needs to be supported by relevant published evidence (text-book or journal articles that help explain your response to the assessment question. Do not use consumer resources such as printed brochures, hospital consumer leaflets, or consumer websites.
Sample Solution
Continuing professional development (CPD) refers to the process of lifelong learning that healthcare professionals undertake to maintain and improve their clinical knowledge, skills, and competence. CPD is a mandatory requirement for all healthcare professionals in Australia, including nurses and midwives. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) sets out specific requirements for CPD.
According to the NMBA, nurses and midwives must undertake a minimum of 20 hours of CPD per year. CPD activities can include attending conferences, workshops, and seminars, participating in online learning programs, undertaking further education, and engaging in clinical practice that enhances professional knowledge and skills. Nurses and midwives are also required to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of their CPD activities.
A portfolio is an effective way to record and evidence CPD activities. A CPD portfolio is a collection of documents, certificates, and reflections that demonstrate a nurse or midwife’s engagement in ongoing learning and development. A portfolio can include a variety of documents, such as certificates of attendance, reflective practice statements, and feedback from colleagues or mentors.
A CPD portfolio can help nurses and midwives to meet the NMBA’s requirements for CPD by providing evidence of their engagement in ongoing learning and development. A well-structured portfolio can also assist nurses and midwives in identifying areas where further learning is required, and in setting goals for their professional development.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Several studies have shown the benefits of using portfolios for CPD. For example, a study by Fanning and Gaba (2007) found that portfolios can help healthcare professionals to identify gaps in their knowledge and skills, and to set goals for their ongoing development. Another study by Gleeson et al. (2012) found that portfolios can improve nurses’ self-awareness and reflective practice, leading to improvements in patient care.
In conclusion, CPD is a vital requirement for nurses and midwives in Australia, and a portfolio is an effective way to record and evidence their ongoing learning and development. A well-structured portfolio can help nurses and midwives to identify areas where further learning is required, and to set goals for their ongoing professional development. By engaging in CPD and maintaining a detailed portfolio, nurses and midwives can ensure that they are providing safe and high-quality care to their patients.
