According to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), it is stated that “Under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and AHPRA, all registered health practitioners must undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD)” (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, 2017). For healthcare professionals wanting to deliver quality care and meet the public's changing health care needs, nurses must be up to date with professional knowledge, to ensure that the best care can be given to the patient (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, 2017).CPD is a progress offered to healthcare professionals, intending to advance and broaden their knowledge, skill and competence to grow as a professional …show more content…
The NMBA RN Standards of Practice have several standards that relate to the importance and the continuation of learning new knowledge practices for RN’s (Registered nurse standards for practice, 2016). If nurses adhere to the full 20 hours of CPD opportunities, it will profoundly support standard 3.7 which “Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people”, although, this is not also limiting to Standards 2.7 (Ensuring safety, learning and sharing of knowledge for person-centred care), 3.3 (The continuation of CPD) and 6.1 (Providing a safe quality nursing care in order to meet agreed health outcomes) (Registered nurse standards for practice, 2016). It is essential for all nurses to comply with the NMBA standards provided as it secures the continuation of providing safe care within a health system (Registered nurse standards for practice, 2016). From the knowledge gathered from CPD courses, they are able to make an informed planning decision (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, 2017). CPD courses and programs allow RN’s to get the revision and updates of new recent changes to policies and procedures they need and as well as extending their scope of practice due to the advancing of knowledge they acquire from CPD courses (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, 2017).
When nurses are overloaded with tasks, errands and limited with time, CPD requirements would be the last thing on their minds to complete (Berman, et al., 2012). This is one of the contributing factors, questioning if needing to complete 20 hours of CPD yearly is necessary and whether if the components are required (Carlson & Bengtsson, 2015). The full 20 hours ensures that the nurse remains up to date with knowledge and skills (Carlson & Bengtsson, 2015). Though 20 hours can