A university accredited renal nursing course delivered by distance learning

Continuous professional development (CPD) is limited in some regions of the UK and within Europe generally. This is compounded for all by limited resources for course fees and the lack of study leave granted away from the clinical area for full-time courses. This is set against recommendations from national and European governments and renal clinical guidelines concerning expectations of CPD and competency levels of renal nurses. In the past renal nurses have been trained in all areas of the speciality by local Schools of Nursing linked to renal units. However, since the formation of Trusts in 1990 education delivery has been ring-fenced and separated from the control of local hospitals by Schools of Nursing being incorporated into Institutes of Higher Education. That has led in some instances to a rationalising of post registration education delivery for some geographical areas. This paper will discuss the development and implementation of a distance learning renal care course taking into consideration the clinical, academic and educational requirements necessary for effective education and training at the post basic level.