CPD Examples for Nurses: Practical Ideas for NMC Revalidation
Not sure what to include in your CPD portfolio? Explore practical examples of professional learning that may support your development as a nurse and contribute towards your NMC revalidation CPD requirements.
CPD can take many different forms
The NMC does not prescribe one particular type of CPD. What matters is that your learning is relevant to your scope of practice and that you keep an appropriate record of the activity.
Examples of clinical CPD for nurses
Clinical CPD can help you maintain, update or develop knowledge and skills that are relevant to the patients, services and environments in which you work.
Patient deterioration
Learning about NEWS2, ABCDE assessment, escalation of concerns, sepsis recognition or recognising changes in a patient's condition.
Medicines management
Professional learning related to medicines safety, drug calculations, administration practice or reducing medication errors.
Infection prevention
Updating knowledge of infection prevention, aseptic practice, hand hygiene or local infection-control procedures.
Safeguarding
Learning related to recognising risk, responding to safeguarding concerns and understanding professional responsibilities.
Clinical skills
Structured learning that develops or updates relevant practical clinical knowledge and skills within your scope of practice.
Long-term conditions
Learning about conditions commonly encountered in your role, such as diabetes, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease or dementia.
CPD does not have to be purely clinical
Professional development can also focus on communication, teamwork, leadership, patient experience and other areas that support effective nursing practice.
Communication skills
- SBAR communication and handover
- Communicating with patients and relatives
- Difficult or sensitive conversations
- Documentation and record keeping
Leadership and teamwork
- Clinical leadership development
- Team communication
- Delegation and accountability
- Supporting colleagues and learners
Equality and person-centred care
- Cultural awareness
- Reasonable adjustments
- Communication needs
- Inclusive care
Professional practice
- Consent and capacity
- Confidentiality
- Professional boundaries
- Ethical decision-making
Examples of participatory CPD
At least 20 of your required 35 CPD hours must include participatory learning. This means learning that involves interaction with one or more other professionals.
Interactive workshops
Structured learning where participants discuss, practise or work through topics together.
Live webinars
Online learning may be participatory where there is genuine interaction with other professionals during the activity.
Professional discussions
Relevant structured learning involving discussion with colleagues or other professionals.
Conferences
Appropriate conference learning may contribute to CPD, including participatory learning where professional interaction is involved.
Group study
Learning undertaken with other professionals where ideas, experience and knowledge are actively discussed.
Peer learning
Structured learning with colleagues that develops professional knowledge, understanding or practice.
Want a fuller explanation of participatory CPD?
NurseNet's dedicated guide explains the 20-hour requirement and the difference between participatory and independent learning.
Read the Participatory CPD guide →Examples of non-participatory CPD
Some professional learning can be undertaken independently. Appropriate independent learning may contribute to your overall CPD total where it is relevant to your scope of practice.
Professional reading
Reading relevant professional guidance, research, clinical literature or educational materials as part of a purposeful learning activity.
Recorded learning
Completing relevant recorded educational content where there is no real-time interaction with other professionals.
Online study
Structured self-directed learning that develops knowledge relevant to your professional role.
Research and evidence review
Reviewing evidence, guidance or professional literature to develop understanding of a relevant practice issue.
Everyday work is not automatically CPD
CPD is a learning activity undertaken separately from normal practice. Simply carrying out your usual duties does not automatically become CPD. However, an identified learning need from practice can lead to a purposeful CPD activity.
A clinical incident identifies a learning need
A nurse encounters a challenging deterioration event during a shift. The shift itself is normal professional practice and is not automatically CPD.
Afterwards, the nurse completes structured learning on recognising deterioration and escalation. That separate learning activity may be recorded as CPD where it is relevant to their scope of practice.
Start with your practice, not with the CPD hours
A stronger approach is to identify what would genuinely improve your knowledge or practice, then choose CPD that addresses that need.
How a learning need can become a CPD pathway
Patient deterioration
Identify uncertainty around deterioration → complete NEWS2 and ABCDE learning → discuss escalation with colleagues → record learning → reflect on implications for practice.
Drug calculations
Identify a numeracy confidence gap → revise calculation methods → practise drug calculation questions → discuss medication safety → record relevant learning.
Communication
Identify difficulty with clinical handover → learn SBAR → practise structured handover with colleagues → record the activity → reflect on communication.
Leadership
Identify a development goal → attend leadership learning → discuss ideas with peers → apply relevant learning → record and reflect.
Remember to record each CPD activity properly
Whichever type of CPD you choose, your records should include the information required by the NMC and evidence that you undertook the learning.
Record the activity
Include the CPD method, topic, date, total hours and participatory hours where applicable.
Explain relevance
Record how the activity relates to your professional practice and scope of practice.
Connect to the Code
Identify the relevant part of the NMC Code associated with your learning.
Keep evidence
Retain suitable evidence demonstrating that you undertook the activity.
Need help recording your CPD?
Read NurseNet's practical guide to organising CPD hours, participatory learning, evidence and links to the Code.
How to Record CPD for NMC Revalidation →CPD examples FAQs
Does the NMC provide a fixed list of approved CPD activities?
The NMC does not prescribe one particular type of CPD. Your professional learning should be relevant to your scope of practice and meet the applicable revalidation requirements.
Can online learning count as CPD?
Relevant online learning may contribute to CPD. Whether it is participatory depends on whether the learning includes interaction with one or more other professionals.
Can reading count as CPD?
Purposeful professional reading may form part of relevant learning, although it would normally be non-participatory when undertaken independently.
Can all 35 hours be participatory?
Yes. The requirement is that at least 20 of the 35 hours include participatory learning; it is not a maximum.
Does normal nursing work count as CPD?
Everyday professional practice is not automatically CPD. CPD involves a separate learning activity undertaken to develop professional knowledge or practice.
Choose CPD that genuinely supports your practice
Use these examples as inspiration rather than a checklist. Identify learning that matters to your role, complete meaningful professional development, record it clearly and reflect on what it means for your practice.
