Nurses able to access CPD, despite long hours

Nearly three quarters of primary care nurses say they have good access to CPD, according to a survey carried out by Independent Nurse.

Out of 408 primary care nurses surveyed, 74 per cent stated that they were able to access the CPD that they needed.

However, this highlights the fact that there is still a variance in the allocation of CPD for nurses in primary care across the country.

Some of the respondents commented that they completed online CPD courses at home in their own time, as they were not allocated time during their working hours for CPD.

The survey did not ask respondents whether they completed CPD in their own time or during work time, or whether the CPD was online.

A district nurse said: 'online courses are available but these do not replace attending real study days and are not nearly as effective for learning.'

Many of the nurses commented that they were able to easily access mandatory CPD that was available through their Trusts. A practice nurse said: 'Mandatory CPD can be accessed, further needs negotiated, doctors supportive as [they] can see benefits to us, to them and to patients.'

Of those that were not able to easily access CPD, the respondents said that time and staffing numbers were the main barriers.

One practice nurse said: '[CPD] keeps being cancelled due to shortages in staff numbers.'

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