Nursing is an exciting, dynamic profession where continuous learning and education can enhance skills and knowledge whilst keeping up to date with the latest clinical practice and progressive changes.
Nurses are known for seeking out self directed lifelong learning opportunities both from a personal and professional development perspective, and to facilitate the provision of holistic, patient-centred care.
Here in Newcastle we have a careers development framework which provides a range of pathways and opportunities across all career stages for our nursing colleagues, taking into account individual ambitions and aspirations as well as workforce requirements.
Furthermore, the size of our organisation gives opportunity for career development in a range of clinical specialities and secondments are supported and encouraged.
Colleagues at the Newcastle Clinical Skills Academy are here to help our nursing colleagues understand what learning opportunities are available, how to access them and the funding support they can benefit from.
Lifelong learning
Staying abreast of this ever evolving profession whilst ensuring the continuous pursuit of excellence means embracing lifelong learning.
You may need to seek out education and training to maintain your practice, meet revalidation requirements, or have longer term goals such as furthering your career or changing career direction.
As an outstanding organisation we are committed to continuously investing in the development of our staff who already benefit from a wide range of learning opportunities.
CPD support at Newcastle Hospitals
Development opportunities and career aspirations can be discussed in close liaison with your clinical educator or line manager at your annual appraisal, or at any other time of the year. These discussions help us to understand how we can help you to take steps forward to achieve your goals.
For example, you may wish to specialise in a particular area of practice or explore teaching or research. Further training can support you to prepare for a future role – you may wish to become an advanced clinical practitioner or progress into management.
Annual appraisals help to shape personal development plans to set out learning opportunities which can be provided either in-house or externally.
Choosing the right CPD for you
There is a huge and diverse range of learning and development opportunities for our nursing colleagues to choose from.
We offer a wide variety of courses which are run in-house by our Education Workforce Development team and you can seek advice from our team here at the Newcastle Clinical Skills Academy about what might work for you.
If it’s something relating to leadership that you’re looking for then head to the Leadership section of our website to find out more.
NMAHPs LeadershipIf you have a particular interest in research then our section on how to #MakeSpace4Research will tell you everything you need to know.
NMAHPs ResearchRemember
You have the power to make your own decisions about which CPD activities are most beneficial to you, your practice and your career.
Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) support
All nurses and midwives must demonstrate that they have undertaken 35 hours of CPD relevant to their scope of practice in the three year period since their registration was last renewed, or since joining the register.
Of those 35 hours of CPD, at least 20 must have included participatory learning.
The NMC website provides lot of guidance and examples of how you can meet the requirements and how to maintain accurate records of CPD you have undertaken.
NMC – CPD requirements and how to meet themRoyal College of Nursing (RCN) support
The Royal College of Nursing website provides useful information on how to search for courses and other useful links. You will need to be a member of the RCN to be able to access some of the information.
- Information about CPD in nursing
- Examples of CPD activities
- CPD log
- revalidation guidance
There is also a professional development section which includes RCN Learn featuring the latest nursing, social and health care learning resources from the RCN and RCNi as well as multiple evidence-based, quality assured resources.
The RCN Professional Services section highlights a range of educational programmes focusing on:
- improving patient care and patient experience
- nurturing the culture of leadership and empowering teams
- implementing service innovations.
Higher Education Providers
We work closely with our local higher education providers some of which are listed below:
Northumbria University
Northumbria University offers a wide range of healthcare related courses.
Northumbria University – short courses, specialist training and CPDSunderland University
Sunderland University offers a range of part and full time courses to suit all levels.
Sunderland University – short health coursesTeesside University
Teesside University offers a range of courses related to nursing and health.
Teesside University – courses at a range of levelsContact us
- To find out more about how to benefit from CPD funding and other learning and development opportunities at Newcastle Hospitals, speak to your line manager in the first instance or get in touch with the Newcastle Clinical Skills Academy team.