3 Tips for Attending Nursing CPD Events

Perhaps you wish to listen to an intriguing presentation. Perhaps you wish to connect with an industry leader in your field. Perhaps you wish to explore a new location while learning new skills and knowledge. Whatever your reason might be, you wish to attend a CPD event, be it a conference or an Education Week, that often requires you to travel to a different location and stay for a period of time.

Whether you are a freshman to these events who is about to embark on their first journey, or a seasoned event attendee who knows the ins and outs about planning for a CPD event, Nexlec hopes to help you get the most out of it with the 3 tips bellow.

1. Prioritise your objectives

It is always important to understand what exactly do you want out of attending a CPD event. There is no problem in having multiple objectives, but it always a good idea to prioritise them so that when activities are in conflict, you know exactly which option you are after. Having a clear list of objectives is also helpful in conducting your research. For example, you might wish to stay in the conference hotel if your main objective is to network with fellow conference goers. If you’d love to travel around the city on top of attending your CPD event, you probably want to add in some extra days and pack more casual wears.

2. Do your research

Healthcare professionals are no strangers to the word research. When doing your research for a CPD event, look out for the following items:

• What is the weather like?

This is an obvious one that we sometimes forget. Visiting another country and taking long hours of flight can put a test to our body, so packing the right clothes is essential to maintaining our health during the conference.

• Which sessions to attend?

When there are multiple breakout sessions, you would like to know which one interests you the most. This could be because of the topic or the presenter. Watch some videos from all the presenters to understand what you will be getting before making up your mind.

• Who to connect with?

Do some research on social media to find out who else will attend the CPD event. Read about their backgrounds and identify the ones that you’d love to connect with. There is no harm in reaching out prior to the event either.

• Where to go?

Research a bit about the city where the CPD event is to be held. Are there any spots you’d like to go sightseeing? Which restaurants and cafes have the most authentic local food? What about universities and research facilities that you can visit? Make sure to book in advance when necessary, so that you can make the most of your time there.

3. Prepare for learning and networking

The best learning outcomes are achieved when you are thoroughly prepared during the learning process. Preparing yourself is the key to get the most out of a CPD event that is designed to develop your professional knowledge and skills. Prior to the event, read about the topics and take some notes on the questions you wish to ask, the challenges you meet in your practice, and anything else you’d like to highlight during the sessions.

If you wish to expand your network at the event, an elevator pitch can always be handy when you meet someone new. Think about who you are professionally and what values you can add. Practice your speech in front of a mirror if necessary.

Nexlec features a range of upcoming CPD events such as the Skin & Skin Cancer Conference and Masterclass. Check Nexlec to see the most recent event in nursing!

If you find Nexlec’s tips helpful in preparing you for an upcoming CPD event, please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more articles like this in the future. Wherever you are on your CPD journey, Nexlec is always here to support your learning.