#RCN100 Celebrating 100 years of the Royal College of Nursing

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Learning and development

Learning and development

Excellent health care support workers never stop learning – and many of the “100 Top Tips” we received focus on the importance of ongoing development.

Learning and development star tip

Star tip:

Don’t be afraid to challenge registered staff as long as you do so respectfully, in private, and with evidence/reason to back you up.

Learning and development

Learning and development

Be open

Be open to new ideas and new ways of working: don't do things just because you have always done them that way. Sometimes you need to be pushed out of your comfort zone and learn a new skill.

Learning and development

Be confident

Have the confidence to pick up the phone and ring the RCN for advice at any time of the day.

Learning and development

Read

Reading journals is not only a great way to relax, but also gives you the underpinning knowledge you need to be the best at your job.

Learning and development

Reflect

I reflect after every shift on what I feel I did well and what I think I could have done better.

Learning and development

Study

Education: continue to better yourself, and you will provide an improved level of care for your patient, gain respect from your colleagues, and gain confidence in what you are able to do.

Learning and development

Learn and apply

Always have a zeal to learn and apply what has been learned. It can be challenging at times, but that is where teamwork comes in.

Learning and development

Speak up

Sadly mistakes happen – health care and people are complex. Speak up and acknowledge what's happened so it can get sorted.

Learning and development

Observe

Take every opportunity to ask questions of the multidisciplinary team about why they work in a particular way, or what their job entails. The more knowledgeable you are, the more confident you'll be in answering questions effectively.

Learning and development

Ask

Ask questions – I truly believe there is no such thing a as a silly question! You might have spotted a drug error or a patient who doesn't quite seem right.

Page last updated - 03/08/2019