Vet Nurse CPD: What Should I Consider When Choosing CPD?
Choosing vet nurse CPD isn’t always easy. There are a lot of options to choose from, and cost concerns, responsibilities at home, and decision fatigue can make it seem like an impossible task. Here’s what I ask myself when choosing CPD as a veterinary nurse.
“What will I get out of it?”
It may seem like an obvious question, but choosing a vet nurse CPD course is not just about selecting topics that you find interesting; it is also about considering the gaps in your knowledge and identifying areas for improvement. We have all been presented with a particular case where we have felt out of depth and thought ‘I really wish I knew more about this.’ So, sometimes choices regarding CPD will be very personal, depending on your own experiences.
However, over a period of time most veterinary nurses will develop specific areas of interest that they choose to focus on. These interests may change over time, influenced by various factors such as personal experiences, colleagues, place of work, and career choices and opportunities. When looking for vet nurse CPD courses, I try to choose topics that I find interesting, that I can learn from, and that will help make me a better nurse, whilst also contributing to my professional development and growing new career opportunities.
“Will it be taught well?”
The second thing that I would ask is ‘what’s the experience of the lecturer?’ Do they have additional qualifications in the discipline or subject they are teaching? Are they teaching about a topic that they have a lot of experience in? Attending a course where the lecturer can share their own experiences and offer tips and advice, in addition to discussing real-life case studies, will make a huge difference to your learning experience. It’s also important to consider the learning type (online, face-to-face, or blended). In some cases, online vet nurse CPD is perfect. For others, the course has a practical element and then I ask about the teaching facilities. You should evaluate each course to decide if the teaching is high-quality, and not just convenient but also appropriate for the type of course.
“How much does it cost?”
Last but by no means least, the cost of CPD is incredibly important. The veterinary nursing professional surveys highlight that veterinary nurses want to see pay increases and more opportunities for CPD and career development. However, the cost of this CPD for vet nurse career development has to be affordable in the face of struggles with pay and the cost of living.
This is a good point to revert back to the original question, ‘what will I get out of it?’ Does the course provider provide different learning methods and opportunities, experienced and knowledgeable lecturers, continuous support and guidance, and assessments to reinforce learning? Do you receive recognition and certification at the end of it? It’s not just about overall cost – it’s about value, and whether you’re getting a good return for the cost.
Getting support from your veterinary practice
Finally, is the cost of the course relative to the learning and qualification? If an employer believes it is and sees it as an investment, they may be more likely to contribute to the course cost. Investing in people is the best investment employers can make. By investing in you, you will likely be a better veterinary nurse, deliver better patient care within the practice, and share your newly learnt knowledge with others in the hospital.
Summary
Ultimately, when we learn, develop and improve, we will provide better care to our patients. Learning gives me huge satisfaction and makes me a more confident and capable veterinary nurse. That’s why it has always been important – no, compulsory – for me to continue to learn and improve. When choosing vet nurse CPD, I always try to choose courses that are high quality and fit my learning plan rather than choosing the bare minimum to fulfil my veterinary nurse CPD requirements.
Carly Seymour VTS (Anaesthesia and Analgesia), DipAVN, CertVNECC, A1, RVN
ISVPS Career Pathway Lead
