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Lifelong learning and the Personal Development Plan, introduced as part of your course, link your professional portfolio, a requirement of most employers and your career pathway aspirations. The PDP is a structured process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance and achievements and to plan for their personal, educational and career development.
Very few nurses or midwives have fixed or clear career aspirations. For many these extend to a desire to pass the course and secure employment. The notion of career mindedness is remote. Some, perhaps those who were graduates prior to entering nursing or midwifery, mature entrants and those completing CPD courses will perhaps have much clearer ideas of their personal career goals beyond the short term period.
Initially you may be unclear about your future and understandably more willing to focus on short-term goals. Current challenges and immediate needs give these priority. I recall vividly the departing pep talk given by the Director of Nurse Education on the final day of my SRN (pre-registration adult nursing). He asked us to think of an area of practice we would like to be involved within ten years. I was the only person to respond and I recall stating that I thought that perhaps I might like to become a teacher. Uppermost in my mind were the unknown results of the final exams and the challenge of my first post in coronary care. However, within seven years this same man employed me as a Nurse Tutor. Perhaps at a point when your medium or longer-term aspirations are developing you should take time to undertake the following linked exercise.
At least annually you should make a conscious effort to take stock, review and perhaps revise these plans. Many organisations have instituted an annual appraisal or performance review system. This is something you should insist on if it is the policy of your organisation. They may slip or be missed entirely when managers are distracted. Such a review sharpens your thinking and provides some opportunities to carve out the next stepping stone on your career pathway. Use this as a vehicle to engage with employers to agree on your development needs. While this may sound rather mercenary, as may the plan to remain no longer than three years in any one post, the fact is that very few nurses or midwives are head-hunted for promotion or career development. Most of the effort and responsibility lies with you. |
