The Pulse guide to logging your CPD for NMC revalidation

What is continuing professional development (CPD) and how do I meet the NMC revalidation criteria?

Before you read this, we suggest you make a note of the time – you’ll thank us later…

Since 2016 all UK nurses and midwives have been required to revalidate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) every three years, whether they work in the NHS, private sector or full-time agency. Although it might seem daunting, revalidation is actually quite straightforward and will help to demonstrate that you practice safely and effectively.

For you to successfully revalidate and renew your NMC registration you must meet a set criteria – including 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD), 20 hours of which is participatory (in person learning or training sessions).

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So what does this mean for you?

CPD is part of every nurse and midwives’ daily practice, so you’re not being asked to do anything you’re not already familiar with. The NMC encourages you to log each CPD event as you undertake it – and it’s this little and often approach that will make the revalidation process a painless and straightforward affair. Every item of CPD you log should be relevant to your scope of practice as a nurse or midwife.

What activities can I include in my CPD log?

CPD hours are not just those spent in structured learning or accredited training – they include lots of activities that you already do as part of your job. Below, we’ve listed some of the activities that will count towards your 35 hours of CPD. You’ll be surprised how quickly the time builds up.

Work-based learning and participatory learning

• Competency update training
• Annual mandatory training
• Discussions with colleagues
• Being a representative on a committee
• Work shadowing, secondments or job rotation
• Supervising staff or students
• Visiting other departments and reporting back
• Analysing significant events

Example 1: Reading through and discussing your Trust’s policies and procedures with a colleague can be counted as participatory learning – just remember to record it in your log

Example 2: Get involved in a teaching session when a rep comes to your workplace to demonstrate or implement new equipment or procedures 

Professional activity

• Lecturing, teaching or mentoring
• Attending branch appraisal meetings
• Organising journal clubs or other specialist groups
• Maintaining or developing specialist skills – e.g. cannulation or administration of chemotherapy

Example 3: When you attend a meeting, keep a copy of the minutes as evidence of your participation and any other outcomes including signed letters, notes or observations

Example 4: Volunteer to be shadowed by new team members to show them the ropes and log the hours you spend doing so

Formal / educational

• Attending conferences
• Writing articles or papers
• Attending seminars
• Planning or running your own course 

Example 5: If you attend a seminar or conference, make sure you take a copy of the attendance certificate. If attendance certificates aren’t issued, take a photocopy of the register

Self-directed learning

• Reading journals, articles and blogs
• Reviewing books or articles
• Updating knowledge through the internet or TV
• Social media discussions (Just remember to stick to your Trust’s guidance on social media)

Example 6: Watching a training video programme, or reading a relevant article from the Pulse Nursing blog all count as CPD. Just remember to log it and record your notes and the outcomes

How do I keep a record of my CPD hours?

By using a log sheet, such as the one produced by the NMC as part of their How to Revalidate booklet you can maintain accurate records of the CPD you’ve undertaken. You log should include:

• CPD method – self-directed or group participation
• A description of the topic and how it related to your practice
• The dates on which the activity was undertaken
• The number of hours (including the number of participatory hours)
• Identify the part of the Code most relevant to the activity
• Evidence that you undertook the CPD activity

Don’t forget to reflect on your experiences and anything you’ve learned as this can count towards your reflective pieces for revalidation, as well as helping consolidate your learning.

Revalidation is real and it’s happening now

For top tips on how to start your NMC revalidation read our ‘7 things you need to know about revalidation’.

How long did it take you to read this article? Great, log it in your self-directed CPD hours, it’s as easy as that!

If you have any further questions or need advice, just get in touch.