How to stay motivated and accountable while taking online vet CPD
There’s a reason why remote working is popular and undertaking online vet CPD is no different. But niggling doubts and the practicalities of studying from home can make some people nervous. We’re here to help! Read our guide on how to study successfully while doing your CPD.
Benefits of online CPD for vets and nurses
There are many reasons why doing online veterinary CPD is attractive including –
- Working at your own pace – Need a break? Take one! Ready to power through? keep going! You have control over how fast or steady you take things.
- It fits in around your daily schedule – Working 9-5 is a thing of the past. Perhaps it suits you better to study first thing in the morning, or perhaps after the kids are in bed during the evening? Or maybe you work shifts, and your hours vary. Online vet CPD Has got you covered.
- No travel – Not travelling is a major perk for many vets and nurses doing online CPD. This makes learning accessible, as you don’t have to factor in travel costs or time away from your family.
- Home comforts – Some people learn better in their home environment. Cosy pjs check, cup of hot chocolate check, fire on check…
- Engaging learning formats – Online learning at Improve is highly interactive, often containing a mixture of text, videos, quizzes and audio, perfect to suit all different learning types. This can be more engaging than hours of face-to-face lectures. Some online certificates are complemented with practical sessions to help mix things up. With a whole array of topics too, there is something to suit everyone.
Staying motivated while taking online vet CPD
Some vets and nurses worry that doing their veterinary CPD online means they won’t stay accountable or motivated. Even in this modern age, working from home can also still have a bit of a stigma. Worries include, ‘what if the rest of the team think I’m slacking because I haven’t travelled somewhere?’ and ‘what if I get distracted by the washing or life admin?’.
Firstly, recognise that some of these negative thoughts are down to imposter syndrome. This sadly afflicts many professionals. It causes self-doubt and unnecessary worry about how they look to others. Just do what works for you.
Secondly, most vets and nurses have done online CPD at some point – who hasn’t?! If you choose to do all your CPD, or a postgraduate certificate online, that’s your decision. No one can say that one learning style is superior to another, if you achieve a new set of skills.
Thirdly, you get out what you put in. If you dedicate your time to learning, then you will reap the rewards.
Want to find out how it feels to study a veterinary postgraduate certificate online? You can hear from our current delegates on programmes for feline medicine or the oncology certificate.
Setting yourself up for success with online CPD courses
When the lines blur between work and home, it can be hard to stay focussed. These top tips will help you to keep on track –
Tip 1: Set up your working environment
As a compulsory part of our profession, CPD for vets and nurses should still be seen as work. That means setting up a specific working environment where you can concentrate on your online vet CPD. Perhaps using a spare room or an office, where you can shut the door to the rest of the house, works best, or maybe just a cosy armchair in a quiet corner. Some people work better in the office at their practice or a local library. Wherever you pick, make sure that you are not being distracted by loud music, television or constant interruptions.
Tip 2: Put your phone away
Phones are great tools but can also be a source of distraction. Emails and WhatsApp’s pinging, or the constant urge to scroll social media can stop you from focussing. You wouldn’t get your phone out in the middle of a lecture theatre so try not to at home. Placing your phone in another room, putting it on do not disturb or installing an app that limits your social media access can all help.
Tip 3: Make notes
This depends on your learning style, but the physical act of writing and taking notes can help some people. Just jotting down a few key bits of information in a notebook may help it to stick in your memory, plus you will have your notes to look at again in the future without logging on. Alternatively doing voice memos may work better for you.
Tip 4: Set achievable goals
It’s not realistic to think you must blitz an entire topic in one evening after working all day and wrestling the kids into bed. So, break things down and set some achievable goals. Even if you can only manage half an hour a night, you will still be making progress. Plus, the information has more of a chance of sticking.
Tip 5: Take regular breaks
Staring at a screen for hours on end isn’t healthy for anyone. If you have a whole day of online vet CPD ahead of you then set up some regular breaks away from the computer. You could use these to blitz some of your life admin and washing, but if you can get outside for a proper break, even better. Taking the dog for a walk, going for a run or even sitting in the garden for 20 minutes will help you to feel refreshed, and work more productively when you step back inside. Eating well will also help you to concentrate on your studies, so make sure to have a nutritious snack during your break too.
Tip 6: Discuss what you’ve learned
Chatting through what you’ve learned with a colleague or partner can help to further cement your new skills but will also chase away some of that imposter syndrome. Demonstrating your knowledge will help you to validate the learning journey you’ve been on. Plus, if others can benefit from some new information, then even better! Engaging in our online chat forums or group video chats with other course members can also help with this.
Summary
Online learning is a great way of doing your vet CPD, whether that’s a one-off webinar or a whole postgraduate certificate. Setting yourself up for successful learning is a key part of taking online vet CPD. Hopefully, our top tips have been useful, and they help you accomplish a new chapter in your career development!
If you want to try some online CPD, we have a range of options for you. Why not take a look at our postgraduate certificate programmes, many of which are available online. Or, for something a bit shorter to top-up those CPD hours, why not take the on-demand Academy courses?
