...more about the APNA CPD program

Overview of the program

The Australian Practice Nurses Association (APNA) embraces the view that all nurses should engage innovative and resourceful approaches to increase their knowledge and skills in nursing practice, using a system that facilitates, values and measures the effort and time they invest in acquiring their education. 

Introduction

To support the professional development of its members, APNA decided to develop a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program that suits nurses who work in the area of general practice.  This program will enable APNA members to engage in, and record, their professional development in a systematic way, facilitating recognition among peers and employers and ensuring regulatory compliance with Nursing and Midwifery Regulatory Authorities (Nurses’ Boards).

Overview

The APNA CPD program is intended to encourage nurses working in general practice to:

1.      identify their learning needs,

2.      choose a suitable learning activity,

3.      engage in that activity,

4.      record the activity, and

5.      obtain recognition.

The CPD program acknowledges the diversity in the primary health care sector of work conditions, workloads, knowledge base, skill needs, the changing requirements of nurses’ registration, the diverse learning interests of nurses and the limited time and financial resources available for nurses.

Structure

The APNA CPD program is designed to be simple, clear and accessible address the needs of nurses of all abilities.  It provides pathways, guidelines and resources to help its participants in their professional development. 

The APNA CPD program provides:

·        a handbook that explains the program and guides participants in identifying, engaging, successfully completing and recording their learning achievements,

·        three groups of learning activities, Groups A, B, and C, each geared along different learning preferences, interests and accessibility,

·        a CPD points allocation system that quantifies learning achievements facilitating recording and recognition,

·        an attractive personalised CPD folder to be used for recording CPD points and highlighting achievements in a professional and easy-to-read way,

·        a CPD program participation certificate and recognition badge, and

·        a set of resources, including telephone support and discounts for participants using industry providers and Registered Training Organisations.

Cost and participation:

Participants in the CPD program need to be members of APNA and pay an annual participation fee of $80 which covers the costs of folders, handbook, badge and ongoing support.

A project worth investing in
Nurses working in general practice who engage in a CPD program are advantaged by having:

• substantiated evidence of CPD for audits conducted by the Nurses’ Board i their state,
• valuable evidence to support their claim for financial remuneration, 
• documented commitment to professional development; an advantage when applying for a new job or project,
• data to support a claim for professional recognition, including the APNA Fellowship,
• certified achievements; a useful tool when engaged in negotiations, and
• A pathway to follow to achieve professional goals and objectives.

Changing environment

Currently there are no incentives for nurses to undertake in CPD programs, unlike other programs such as those for General Practitioners and Certified Practicing Accountants where involvement is required for registration and financial purposes.  However, this situation is changing as nurses in Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania are audited by their regulatory authorities for evidence of CPD involvement. Other states and territories will shortly adopt this process, including Victoria in July 2007.   

The world is also changing as empirical evidence, evidence-based practice, and verifiable data are gaining increasing interest from government agencies and the health industry.