How Nurses Can Benefit From Continuing Education
Nurses have ample opportunities to advance in their careers. Through continuing education, they can enhance their skills, remain updated on healthcare trends, and meet regulatory requirements. This education will also allow them to secure more job opportunities and command higher pay.
Why Continuing Education?
Continuing education allows nurses to improve their clinical competency by gaining helpful skills and knowledge when treating patients. This education may come through conferences or seminars, or a nurse might participate in hospital-based training or online courses. All programs are designed to help nurses learn new clinical skills while updating their knowledge. With these programs, a nurse can remain well-informed of current practices. Often, this is an RN to BSN education program, but this education comes in other forms, as well.
Nurses who take part in continuing education have more confidence to make decisions regarding patient care. They interact with peers and learn from one another while keeping up with healthcare trends. Why is this education important?
The Importance of Continuing Education
The field of nursing is constantly evolving. Healthcare practices and policies change regularly in response to evolving conditions. Advancements are made every day as researchers learn new things. This information must be shared with those in the field, and continuing education opportunities ensure it is.
Continuing education allows nurses to advance in their careers. They may use these opportunities to pursue a degree and rise into a leadership role or pursue a specialty they are passionate about. Certain job positions require a Master of Science in Nursing, but not all do. Each person can choose the path they wish to take, as educational opportunities remain plentiful. One person might become a nurse practitioner, while another opts to pursue a certified registered nurse anesthetist career.
License Renewal
In addition, nurses must earn continuing education credits before renewing their nursing licenses. Approximately 60 percent of states now require this education. Each state determines the number of continuing education units required to renew the license, but many states call for 20 to 30 hours every two years. One continuing education unit equals one hour of instruction or study.
Non-compliance with this requirement could lead to the nurse losing their license. The nurse might be fined, or the state could require additional education. Mandatory supervision is another penalty that may be imposed. The employer might also choose to release a nurse who doesn't fulfill their continuing education requirements.
The Importance of Continuing Education
Continuing education directly impacts patient care. Nurses who participate in these opportunities learn about the latest technology, innovations, and industry best practices and can use this information when treating patients. Their refined critical thinking skills improve with participation in these courses, and their decision-making abilities increase.
Nurses participating in these opportunities learn about the latest medical advancements and how they benefit patients. They are familiar with updated guidelines and new medications that might benefit patients. With this education, they won't provide outdated care. Furthermore, nurses participating in these opportunities develop specialized skills. They can treat patients in their areas of interest and provide tailored patient care of the highest quality.
Researchers have found continuing education for nurses leads to better patient outcomes. Patient mortality rates decline with this education. People often focus on how this education benefits nurses and patients. Every nurse should consider participating in these opportunities even when not mandated. The benefits of doing so are enormous.
