A resolution to maintain professional competency

As we enter into the new year, I find it an invigorating opportunity to refect on how far we have come in the past year and to focus on renewing my own enthusiasm for embarking on new goals and objectives. Continuing education or continuing professional development (CPD) is one key area that we can all refect on and take some time to plan for in the upcoming year.

For those of us in medically related professions, scientific advancements are continually pushing the boundaries of what we know. Our years of practice bring us practical and applied experience but unless we are abreast of new developments in our field, we are at risk of letting old knowledge and outdated habits limit us from providing the best care that we possibly can. This is why it is a professional obligation for us to stay current so that we maintain our professional competence.

It would be next to impossible to keep up with each and every development in veterinary science; however, it is important to stay motivated to improve and to update knowledge and skills on a regular basis. Professional conferences and seminars are one key way to help to promote collegiality and spark new interests in our field. It never fails to surprise me how inspired I get when I am surrounded by dozens of my peers who are all interested in learning something new. Reuniting with old friends and putting faces to names is all part of the fun and when combined with enthusiastic speakers and new products it is an altogether exciting and worthwhile endeavour. Next month the WSAVA congress will be held in Birmingham, and I am sure many of you will be going. The Veterinary Nurse will be there, so please come and find us, it is always nice to meet our readers! As the largest veterinary event ever to be held in the UK, it promises to be informative, inspirational and fun.