How to take control of your career/CPD Alison Singleton Learning and Development Consultant

Format of session Workshop based Interactive Based on YOUR experience Valuable to you for the future

Question Do you have a portfolio and what’s in it? Why have a portfolio? What is it for?

Tips for developing a Portfolio Collect every day examples of how you are developing in your role Light bulb moments/ New experiences Add reflection to any piece of evidence- background, what went well, what could have been improved Do it whilst it’s fresh otherwise it becomes routine

Question What is evidence?

Evidence Includes every day experiences Reports that you have written Compliment and complaints New procedures New skills, e.g. interviews, presentations Reflections about how you have handled new and difficult situations And of course certificates BUT with a short piece on how the learning has helped you in your job

Definitions of Reflection Reflective learning is the process of internally examining and exploring an issue of concern triggered by an experience which creates and clarifies meaning in terms of self and which results in a changed conceptual perspective. Boyd E. & Fales a. (1983) Reflective Learning: Key to Learning From Experience, Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 23,3,

Reflective Approach We learn nothing from experience. We learn from reflecting on that experience (Anonymous)

Why should we use reflection? It causes us to make a conscious attempt to identify and study what is happening and to learn from that It allows us to view situations from different perspectives

Reflection Through reflection not only successful but unsuccessful actions and emotions experienced will be explored. This enables us to recognise our strengths and weaknesses. It facilitates self-analysis and self-evaluation of effectiveness in all situations and encourages personal development through change. It fosters responsibility and accountability.

What was I trying to achieve? Why did I intervene as I did? What were the consequences of my actions for the patient / family / my colleagues and myself? How did I feel during the experience? What factors / knowledge influenced my decisions and actions? Example of Format for Reflection

Format of reflection (continued) Alternative actions What other choices did I have? What would the consequences of these be?

Format of reflection (continued) Learning How do I now feel about this experience? Could I have dealt better with the situation? What have I learned from this experience? Johns C (1993) Professional Supervision, Journal of Nursing Management 1,9-18

Key Messages Development needs must be linked in to the direction of your organisation so that they add value to the organisation as well as to you personally We must get better at making the link back to ‘how has my development improved the way I do my job?’ It is evidence of how we do our job better that is most valuable to a potential employer

Questions?