Professional Skills
Development
School of Nursing and Midwifery
What is it?
 As a student at Queen’s, you will need to engage in a
structured process that supports you in achieving your
academic, career/professional goals.
 The Schools of Nursing and Midwifery offers you a range of
supports. These include,
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Development of Professional Skills (embedded in your course).
A Personal Tutor.
Clinical placements.
Student Handbooks, and of other guidance (in hard copy and online).
Careers Service events/supports
Mentored support
Why is it important?
 At university, you are expected to operate as an
autonomous learner. This will require you to develop
independent learning skills.
 Setting, planning and achieving clear personal
targets is a feature of autonomous learners and
effective professionals.
 As part of your course, you will be required to
develop professional skills. Engaging in Professional
Skills Development will help you in developing an
appropriate strategy for you – it is important that you
make the most of the opportunities provided.
 Employers will expect you to be able to demonstrate
and evidence professional as well as academic skills.
Examples of Professional Skills in Nursing
and Midwifery
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Communication Skills examples
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Professional Conduct examples
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Presentation skills
Team work
Study Skills examples
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Active listening skills & Self awareness
Verbal and non-verbal skills
Writing skills
Developing appropriate learning strategies
Research strategies
Thinking skills
Essential Caring Skills examples
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Manner
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Demeanour
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Knowledge base
What do I need to do?
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Recognise that you are now
working in a university context
where lecturer time is limited
and classes are large – all
written and verbal feedback on
individual or group basis needs
to be valued, noted and
considered in terms of how it
applies to you.
Make use of your Personal
Tutor to help you to reflect on
your overall progress and
development.
What do I need to do?
 If you have a specific issue that you wish
to discuss with a member of staff, ensure
that you make professional preparations
for the meeting. E.g. you will be asked to
follow an agenda during a meeting with
your Personal Tutor towards the end of
semester 1 and to reflect on 4 important
goals which the School has identified. You
will also have an opportunity to discuss
any other issues which are relevant to you.
 Regularly review your progress in line with
the 4 long term goals which have been
identified by the School.
Agenda for review of School goals
( review with your Personal Tutor).
Agenda
 Your development as an autonomous learner.
 Your progress in improving your study skills.
 Your progress in developing professional
skills and attributes.
 Your performance improvement strategy for
assessment (e.g. written work and online
examinations)
 A.O.B.
Goals set for Level 1 students in
School of Nursing and Midwifery
The “My School” page
Actions by you
 1. Access your e-folio
 2. Produce an Action Plan to address each of the 3
School Goals which have been set for you. NoteUse the “My School” supports to help you.
 3. Carry out, share and discuss Action Plans with
your Personal Tutor
 4. Review your progress.
 Note: Use e-mail as your main communication tool
with staff – not the messaging system within the efolio.
Questions and Discussion