Nurses and midwives are healthcare heroes. They provide comfort and support, advocate for their patients, administer medications, monitor vital signs, promote health and wellbeing and so much more. To enhance these key skills, nurses and midwives are required to engage in continuing professional development (CPD). Nursing CPD encompasses a range of learning activities, such as conferences and courses, that help them stay current with best practices and meet registration requirements.

What is CPD?

CPD is ongoing learning and training that helps nurses and midwives become even better health practitioners as it enables them to learn about new research in their area of practice, build on their current qualifications and discover new technologies. That’s why nursing CPD isn’t just another checkbox – it’s how nurses and midwives sharpen their skills and deliver care that’s both current and compassionate.

It’s also a mandatory requirement set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Whether you’ve just graduated or you’ve been working in the field for years, you must complete at least 20 hours of CPD annually that’s relevant to your area of practice.

To ensure you complete the correct amount of CPD, first check the requirements on the NMBA website. Depending on your role, you may need to complete more than the minimum 20 hours of CPD each year.

Fortunately, there are plenty of different ways you can complete your nursing CPD! From online learning to reflective practice, the options are flexible and varied and not only will you become more competent and confident in your role, but CPD could help your career progression too.

To ensure your nursing CPD is accredited, choose CPD activities offered by recognised organisations that are endorsed by the NMBA. Your CPD should also be relevant to your area of practice and include structured learning objectives and outcomes.

Remember to keep records of your nursing CPD as you may need to complete an audit and produce evidence to show you met the requirements. While the NMBA sets the nursing CPD requirements, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the overarching body responsible for the registration and accreditation of health professionals. AHPRA monitors compliance with the CPD standards and may take action if you don’t meet the requirements.

Benefits of CPD for nurses and midwives

Think of CPD as an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills so you can stay ahead of the curve and provide the best possible care for your patients. It might open surprising new doors in your career too! Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of CPD.

Discover new research and technology

Think about how much healthcare has changed over the years. Heaps, right? That’s why it’s important to stay up-to-date with your knowledge and skills – and the bonus is that you’ll be at the forefront of breakthrough research. Cool tech. Advancements in patient care. New medicines and procedures. You’ll discover innovative things that’ll make your job easier and enable you to provide better care.

Increase your job satisfaction

CPD allows you to reflect and decide where you’d like to take your career next. You can set goals and discover different areas of interest, and if you’re feeling stuck or bored, CPD can reignite your motivation so you can continue providing the best possible care for your patients. Also, when you stay current with best practices, you’ll likely feel more capable and confident.

Land opportunities for career progression

Say hello to new qualifications, skills and experience and goodbye to career stagnation. By completing meaningful CPD, you’ll put yourself in the running for promotions, leadership and mentoring opportunities, new roles or collaborations.

Grow your networks

When you attend workshops or study courses, you’ll usually meet new people. Younger people with different perspectives to share. Older people who’ve seen the world of healthcare change. More qualified people who can provide guidance to help you improve your care for patients. Like-minded people who create a sense of connection and camaraderie. You never know who will give you your next opportunity or offer support when you need it!

Options for nursing CPD

From hands-on workshops to leadership training, CPD can empower you to explore new areas of practice, grow your skills and take charge of your career development. And there are plenty of options available, so find the ones that excite and motivate you!

You could complete your nursing CPD by:

• attending workshops or conferences
• completing online courses
• participating in mentorship programs
• writing or reviewing educational materials
• undertaking relevant postgraduate studies.

Are you looking to take your career to the next level with a graduate certificate? We offer a range of options to suit your areas of interest, including:

• Graduate Certificate in Digital Health
• Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Clinical Education)
• Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Leadership and Management)
• Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Rural and Remote Nursing)

How to get the most out of your nursing CPD

To experience the benefits of CPD, it’s important to choose your CPD carefully – there’s a big difference between ticking off your CPD because you have to and finding CPD that will benefit your career.

1. Start with self-reflection

Some helpful questions to ask yourself include:

• What do you already know and what would you like to learn?
• Do you have any knowledge or skill gaps?
• What parts of your job do you enjoy?
• Do you have any strengths you’d like to build on or weaknesses you could address?

And think about your workplace, too. Maybe there have been signs of upcoming changes you could prepare for, or perhaps the leadership team are encouraging staff to focus on key areas, such as communication, collaboration or digital literacy.

2. Consider your personal and career goals

Choose CPD that’ll empower you to achieve your goals. For example, do you want to move from the city to a small country town? Then choose CPD to enhance the skills you’ll need to thrive in your new location. Are you keen to take on a leadership or management role? Find CPD that focuses on skills such as communication, delegation and emotional intelligence.

3. Choose evidence-based and accredited programs

High-quality CPD will help you get the most out of your time and efforts. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your manager or colleagues for recommendations, do your research and explore reputable platforms to find the best fit for your goals.

4. Apply what you learn

You know what they say – “use it or lose it.” So, take your new skills and knowledge and apply them on the job because the more you put them into practice, the more confident and competent you’ll become.

Summary

CPD for nurses and midwives is more than a requirement – it’s an opportunity to improve the way you care for your patients and achieve professional growth. By fostering lifelong learning, CPD encourages nurses to stay up-to-date with the evolving world of healthcare and be at the forefront of meaningful change. And with a wide range of accessible CPD options, boosting your knowledge and skills has never been easier!

If you’re looking for options to complete your CPD, contact us to find out more about our courses for nurses and midwives.

Frequently asked questions

Do I still need to do CPD if I’m registered but not currently working in the field?

If you take extended time off for travel, go on maternity leave or take a career break, you might want to maintain your registration. In cases like these, you must continue to complete your CPD. Otherwise, you may request to register as ‘non-practising’ which means you don’t need to complete your CPD.

What if I don’t meet my CPD requirement?

There can be serious implications for your registration and professional standing when you renew your registration without meeting your CPD requirement. The NMBA Board may request details about why you fell short, require you to complete additional CPD hours in the next registration period and impose conditions on your registration – or even refuse renewal.

However, in exceptional circumstances, you might be able to apply for an exception.

How long do I need to keep records of CPD?

You need to keep records and evidence of your CPD activities for five years. You might also like to write detailed notes as you complete your CPD so you can refer back to them whenever you need a refresher. Not only will they reinforce your learning, but they’ll also make it easier for you to keep track of your CPD for registration and audits.

What should I include in my CPD records?

Whenever you undertake CPD, you should keep details for each dot point below and anything else that might be relevant.

• Date of CPD.
• CPD hours.
• Source or provider of CPD.
• Identified learning needs.
• Goal of your CPD.
• The type of activity (workshop, course, mentorship).
• Description of topics covered.
• Reflection on CPD and how it relates to your work.
• Description of CPD evidence.