Professional Development

Professional Development Standard

We recognise the importance of staff orientation, collaboration and development  in the delivery of safe and effective patient care. We recognise the importance of life-long learning, ongoing education and professional development.

Work in this standard workstream is aimed at ensuring:

• New / orientation nurses identify their own orientation needs on a needs assessment tool.
• The Trust has strategies in place for a newly qualified nurse to transition to practice.
• There is a process for a nurse to be deemed competent if they are assigned to an area other than their main practice area. 
• Nurses have input into the selection of educational offerings.
• The Trust supports nurses in professional development –staff are made aware of opportunities.
• The Trust supports nurses to pursue 'specialty certification'
• Nurses are offered mentorship in the Trust, this influence professional growth
• The Trust fosters growth in staff as emerging leaders. 
• The Trust uses succession planning to develop nurses for a nursing leadership role.

Get involved  

If you want to know more about this important piece of work  or to create or join a council, please contact: 

• Sharon McDowell – sharon.mcdowell2@nhs.net