This page has information on the training and development opportunities in adult nursing.
After studying to become an adult nurse, you need to be committed to learning and always keep your skills and knowledge up to date.
Revalidation
To maintain your registration to practise with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, you’ll need to go through the process of revalidation.
The process is straightforward and will help you as a nurse or midwife to demonstrate that you practise safely and effectively.You will have to revalidate every three years to renew your registration.
Find out more about revalidation on the NMC microsite.
If you are employed by the NHS and wish to undertake further training, you should speak with your line manager. Discussions around training and development opportunities should form a part of your personal development plan (PDP).
Development opportunities
After qualifying and gaining some clinical experience, there are a variety of routes you could take as the next step in your career. You could specialise in a certain field such as operating theatres, care for the elderly or intensive care.Some nurses decide to move into management or clinical academic research.
Nurse consultants
As you gain more experience, you might be able to apply for jobs as a nurse consultant. You would spend a minimum of 50% of your time working directly with patients. You'll also have a number of other roles and responsibilities including:
- developing personal practice
- involvement in research
- contributing to the education, training and development of other nurses
Consultant nurse roles are specialised and posts are created based on the health needs of local communities. They are also among the highest paid nurses in the NHS.
NHS Leadership Academy
The NHS Leadership Academy runs a number of programmes to support adult nurses into leadership roles including the Mary Seacole programme. They also offer a programme purely for frontline nurses and midwives to help develop their skills and build confidence.
More information on the NHS Leadership Academy and its programmes.
Education and training roles
Education, training the professional development of the next generation of nurses is vital to delivery of patient care. Nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses can get involved through a number of roles:
- preceptors
- mentors
- practice educators
- lecturers
Click on the links below for further information about these roles.
Nursing careers resource
A careers resource has been jointly developed by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Health Education England (HEE) to help registered nurses and the clinical support workforce plan their health careers effectively. It shows different ways that you can develop your career from a band 5 role with case studies, videos and next steps.
Visit the RCN/HEE careers resource for registered band 5 nurses
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Preceptors offer guidance and support to newly qualified nurses. They will be qualified practitioners and normally have experience in the area of practice as the practitioner requiring support.
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Mentors or assessors are responsible for a range of activity and learning for student nurses, such as the quality of the learning in a practice setting and the assessment of a student's competence.
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Practice educators lead the teaching and development in the practical setting rather than the theoretical setting which would be led by a lecturer. The practice educator will provide guidance and support to mentors involved with students and will provide a link between the practice setting and the university.
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The lecturer is responsible for classroom teaching in higher education institutions. The role is similar to that of the practice educator in the practice environment and both roles have equal standing.
FAQs
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Nurse? The minimal qualifications needed to become a practicing registered nurse (RN) are an associate degree (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses.
What is considered professional development in nursing? ›
Professional development is the process of improving practice by continuing education and training. Staying current in nursing practice is a key component of professional development. Staying current in our profession can mean a lot of different things.
What is personal development in nursing? ›
What is a personal development plan (PDP)? A PDP is: an individual plan to suit you. a systematic way of identifying and addressing your educational and professional development needs. a tool that can identify areas for further development and encourage lifelong learning.
What is a practice development nurse? ›
The PDNs are tasked to provide extensive clinical advice and support to enhance the knowledge base and practical skills of newly qualified nurses, internationally recruited nurses, healthcare assistants, nursing associates and other learners in the wards.
What are the nursing skills? ›
On a daily basis you will use a broad range of skills, including:
- listening and communication.
- caring.
- judgement.
- teaching and advising.
- counselling.
- managing.
Communicate effectively – to colleagues, patients, and families. Delegate – teamwork is essential; you do not have to do it all. Technology – take advantage of electronic medical records (EMRs). Multitask – know when to and when not to.
Why do nurses need professional development? ›
Improved knowledge and skills: Professional development programs can help nurses to improve their knowledge and skills, and keep up-to-date with the latest research, technologies, and best practices in their field.
How do I write a personal development plan for nursing? ›
There are seven steps to writing a PDP:
- Set yourself goals.
- Prioritise those goals.
- Set yourself deadlines for when you want to achieve them.
- Recognise threats and opportunities.
- Develop your skills or increase your knowledge.
- Use your support network.
- Measure your progress.
Nurses often rely on setting goals to achieve professional growth and provide the best patient care. SMART goals is an acronym for goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals provide a structured framework for setting and achieving objectives.
What are professional development plans? ›
A professional development plan documents the goals, required skill and competency development, and objectives a staff member will need to accomplish in order to support continuous improvement and career development.
Benner (1984) also detailed the acquisition of nursing expertise and proposed five possible expertise levels: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert.
What is professional practice development? ›
Professional Development Practices. The ultimate goal of professional development (PD) is the effective implementation of skills and strategies that enhance knowledge and transfer of learning.
What are the requirements to work as a nurse in USA? ›
After you've decided that you would like to pursue a career in nursing, the steps to becoming a registered nurse are fairly straightforward. First, you must earn the appropriate degree. Then, you must pass the NCLEX Exam. And finally, you must obtain a license in the state that you wish to practice in.
Is a nurse a trained professional? ›
This group includes nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses and care aides. Nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered nursing assistants (RPNs, LPNs, RNAs) would be considered professional.
Why do you need a college degree to be a nurse? ›
Research now links registered nurses with at least an associate's degree to generally more positive patient outcomes, fewer medication errors, lower mortality rates, and higher diagnostic proficiency. Medical advancements have been seen to open avenues to quality services.
Do nurses train other nurses? ›
Teaching among nurses enables experienced nurses to share best practices and up-to-date knowledge with their peers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality and evidence-based care. Through teaching, nurses enhance their own understanding, refine their communication skills, and deepen their expertise.
