title: Online learning for professional development.
abstract: This article addresses how nurses in the UK can use online learning to meet the changing requirements of continuing professional development. Recent changes in post-registration nurse education are due to two main reasons: financial cutbacks and reduced use of agency staff make it difficult for nurse managers to release nurses for study time away from the ward; and healthcare becoming increasingly diverse and complex, so pre-registration education has changed. Since September 2013, only degree-level pre-registration nursing programmes have been available in the UK. Degree-level education is intended to sharpen critical thinking skills to improve future healthcare but it may also disadvantage nurses without degrees. One response to these challenges is to provide online learning, such as online personal learning programmes. portfolios (e-portfolios) or other onlinen
authors.affiliation: University of Winchester.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Purkis
authors.affiliation: University of Winchester.
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gabb
mesh_terms: D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D013192:Staff Development; D006113:United Kingdom