CPD Ideas for Nurses: 35 Hours Made Easy - Creative Ways to Meet Your NMC Requirements

Making Your 35 CPD Hours Count

Completing 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) is a key requirement for NMC revalidation. This guide provides creative, practical CPD ideas that fit around your busy schedule whilst genuinely enhancing your professional skills.

Understanding CPD Requirements

For NMC revalidation, you need:

• 35 hours of CPD over three years
• At least 20 hours must be participatory learning
• CPD must be relevant to your practice
• Activities must be recorded with dates and hours

What's the Difference?

Participatory learning involves interaction with other professionals, such as courses, workshops, conferences, or study groups.

Non-participatory learning is independent study, such as reading journals, online modules, or research.

Participatory CPD Ideas (20+ Hours Required)

Formal Training and Courses

• Mandatory training: Manual handling, safeguarding, infection control (usually 3-6 hours annually)
• Clinical skills updates: Venepuncture, catheterisation, wound care (2-4 hours each)
• Specialist courses: Diabetes management, palliative care, mental health awareness (4-8 hours)
• Leadership training: Management courses, mentorship programmes (6-12 hours)
• University modules: Short courses or modules towards further qualifications (20+ hours)

Conferences and Study Days

• RCN Congress: Annual nursing conference (8-16 hours)
• Specialist conferences: Critical care, oncology, paediatrics (6-8 hours)
• Local study days: Trust or regional events (4-6 hours)
• Virtual conferences: Online nursing events (2-8 hours)

Workplace Learning

• Clinical supervision sessions: Regular meetings with supervisor (1-2 hours monthly)
• Team meetings: Ward meetings with learning elements (1 hour weekly)
• Case discussions: Multidisciplinary team meetings (1-2 hours weekly)
• Journal clubs: Group discussions of research articles (1-2 hours monthly)
• Simulation training: Practice scenarios with colleagues (2-4 hours)

Teaching and Mentoring

• Mentoring students: Supporting nursing students on placement (2-4 hours per student)
• Preceptorship: Supporting newly qualified nurses (2-3 hours monthly)
• Teaching sessions: Delivering training to colleagues (1-2 hours per session)
• Practice assessor role: Assessing student competencies (ongoing hours)

Non-Participatory CPD Ideas (Up to 15 Hours)

Reading and Research

• Nursing journals: British Journal of Nursing, Nursing Times (1-2 hours weekly)
• Clinical guidelines: NICE guidelines, trust protocols (1-2 hours monthly)
• Research articles: Evidence-based practice studies (1-2 hours weekly)
• Professional magazines: RCN Bulletin (1 hour weekly)

Online Learning

• E-learning modules: Trust e-learning, NHS platforms (1-2 hours per module)
• Recorded webinars: Watching pre-recorded sessions (1-2 hours each)
• Online courses: FutureLearn, Coursera nursing courses (4-8 hours)
• Podcasts: Nursing podcasts during commute (30 minutes daily)

Free and Low-Cost CPD Options

Completely Free

• NHS e-learning modules
• Trust mandatory training
• RCN member resources and webinars
• Journal club participation
• Mentoring students or colleagues
• Team meetings and case discussions

Low Cost (Under £50)

• RCN membership (£13-£15 monthly, includes CPD resources)
• Online short courses (£20-£40)
• Professional journal subscriptions (£30-£50 annually)
• Local study days (£30-£50)

Recording Your CPD Effectively

For each CPD activity, record:

• Date: When you completed it
• Hours: How long it took
• Type: Participatory or non-participatory
• Description: What you did
• Learning outcomes: What you learned
• Relevance: How it relates to your practice

Sample CPD Plan for Three Years

Year One (12 hours): Mandatory training 6 hours, Clinical skills update 3 hours, Journal reading 3 hours

Year Two (12 hours): Study day 6 hours, Mentoring student 3 hours, E-learning 3 hours

Year Three (11 hours): Specialist course 6 hours, Journal club 2 hours, Reflective practice 3 hours

Total: 35 hours (23 participatory, 12 non-participatory)

How We Can Help

At Reflect & Revalidate, we provide CPD tracking templates, curated lists of free resources, and guidance on recording CPD effectively to make your revalidation journey straightforward.

Conclusion

Completing your 35 CPD hours doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. By choosing activities that genuinely interest you and fit your schedule, you'll meet your NMC requirements whilst developing professionally. Start tracking your CPD early and make it part of your regular practice.