Continuing Education vs Continuing Professional Development
Continuing Education vs Continuing Professional Development
Discussion Board Post
Difference Between Continuing Education and Continuing Professional Development
Particularly in the fields of nursing and healthcare, professional development and continuing education are frequently used interchangeably. They are two distinct concepts, even though they are both necessary for job advancement.1 Professional development refers to a variety of methods, usually involving the acquisition of new talents and skills relevant to a chosen field. Training courses and workshops are part of professional development to help people be better in their current position. Continuing education, on the contrary, refers to ongoing professional education by enrollment in a facility or academic program. Continuing education involves acquiring more education after receiving a first degree. It usually implies formal education, like PhD programs or higher education.1 It might also entail finishing short courses or training to earn a diploma, license, or other qualifications. Continuing education helps healthcare personnel to stay current with procedures and knowledge.2 It also helps advance professionally by enabling people to establish themselves as experts in their professions.
Employees can advance in their professions through both professional development and continuing education, but continuing education is a more structured means of doing so. Another significant distinction between the two is that some occupations, like becoming a doctor or university professor, even mandate continuing education.2 Professional development is often not an industry mandate but a means of achieving individual career goals. Additionally, since someone might need to take out a student loan to seek a second or higher degree, continuing education will probably require a larger investment than professional development.1 Professional development opportunities, including workshops offered by employers for employee training, may be free.
(Continuing Education vs Continuing Professional Development)
References
Columbia Southern University. the difference between continuing education and professional development. 2021. https://www.columbiasouthern.edu/articles/2021/april/continuing-education-and-professional-development/
Public Health Degrees. Continuing education and professional development in public health. 2020. https://www.publichealthdegrees.org/resources/continuing-education-and-professional-development/
