In your workplace: Keeping up to date with CPD

Q: I am a community nurse in a small rural practice. I am kept very busy, and at times I struggle to keep my CPD up to date. I get some help with paid time off to attend learning but I have to pay for the training myself. Can you explain what my responsibilities are, where I can get help and also let me know what my employer is required to do to support my CPD?

A: This is a very important question especially as we look forward to revalidation later this year. CPD for nurses working in the UK is a crucial element of ensuring the standard of care provided in the UK health service. Our approach to CPD is the envy of many other countries and is internationally renowned. Its purpose is simple: it is to help nurses to maintain and update their skill set in order to remain fit to practice, and to respond to the changing technologies and demands of health service delivery.