The face of nursing is always changing
Keeping your education up to
date, invariably presents a challenge for registered nurses because the face of
nursing is always changing. This is becoming increasingly evident in our
era, as there is more emphasis on expanding global horizons, with respect to
nursing. There is also a worldwide trend towards college or university degree
programs in nursing, as well as online nursing education, rather than strictly
hospital-oriented schools of nursing.
The current recession indicates
that fewer registered nurses will be hired, in the future. More
non-professionals will be hired, instead. What does this mean for you and your
current level of education as a registered nurse?
If you are a new registered
nurse starting your career, further education is needed because at
this point in your career, you have only touched the tip of the iceberg, with
respect to nursing. For those who are currently employed as registered nurses,
on-going education is a normal part of your employment, depending upon where
you are working as a registered nurse. For older registered nurses, up-grading
your education is vital, as it continually introduces current issues of concern
and recent transitions in nursing.
The onus for keeping your
registered nurse's education up-to-date is always the responsibility of the
individual registered nurse. It is entirely up to you. The
direction that you choose to take in terms of your education as a registered
nurse, depends to some degree upon your personal preferences. It has to do with
where you wish to be employed as a registered nurse and the requirements for
registration and certification, in a particular area or country.
Maintaining your certification
as a registered nurse is necessary to obtain employment in the profession of
nursing. Annual registration is a basic requirement.
For registered nurse,
there are numerous options to pursue with respect to upgrading your education. With
an eye to the future and in light of the current global trends, it is advisable
for every registered nurse to learn computer skills. Are you computer
literate? If not, that is a good place to start. Being able to do nursing
research online, allows you access to a vast amount of nursing knowledge that
will surpass and enhance the realm of more traditional nursing textbooks or
nursing journals.
For example using a search
engine like Google, do nursing related research on a specific topic like alpha-1
antitrypsin deficiency, as it pertains to possible gene therapy, a patient with
asthma and a parent who is a smoker. Or search for current nursing articles
about the same topic on the American Journal of Nursing or the Canadian Journal
of Nursing web sites.
You might access Merck.com, if
you are looking for specific drug related information. You will find that
you are able to access current, as well as new medical information and
pertinent data pertaining to nursing techniques, treatments and procedures. You
will also find new text books that you can purchase directly online, easily and
quickly. Look up the street drug, salvia, as it pertains to the treatment
of drug addiction on Google. Find out why there is growing concern about the
use of this drug by teenagers. Drug information, medical terminology or data
pertaining to most medical conditions, can be found online.
Why is this important to you,
with respect to your education as a nurse? Be aware that the majority of your
patients have access to the Internet and may be more knowledgeable about
certain medical issues and concerns than you are. They will test your
knowledge. It is vital that you know how to find the information that you need
in your day-to-day nursing practice. You will be able to locate various
training programs or find different opportunities for employment as a
registered nurse. You can subscribe to various nursing newsletters and receive
regular updates about current nursing trends or medical issues of concern.
Starting up or joining online
nursing groups is a valid option for you. Begin to build a global nursing
community and stay in touch with other registered nurses.
Most registered nurses have
accumulated an extensive amount of research or reference material in their own
personal libraries, but this must be continually updated with new textbooks,
journals, tapes, videos, cds or dvds. Many of these can be purchased directly
online.
Do you need nursing research
immediately for your job? With a computer and printer, you can print out the information you require about new drugs or recent medical
developments, directly from the Internet, as quickly as they appear online.
Perhaps your nursing care
facility demands data that can be obtained from the World Health Organization.
Go online and you find it. Using Yahoo.com and by reading the news, you
can quickly track the spread of an illness around the globe.
In terms of medical-academic
education, working directly with physicians who are actively involved with hospital-university
medical schools, allows registered nurses access to higher levels of medical
education that will be reflected in their nursing theory and practice, at a
later date.
There are currently numerous
training programs, specific for registered nurses, offered at colleges and
universities. Pursuing continuing-education nursing degrees, online specialty
courses or up-grading in different areas is a possible option for
registered nurses. Most hospitals and community nursing agencies have compulsory,
continuing education programs for their registered nurses, with regularly
scheduled conferences, seminars or workshops of various kinds. They may offer
up-grading options as management courses or staff development training
programs.
Drug or health care related
companies frequently introduce new pharmaceuticals or up-to-date medical
equipment in doctor's offices or other health care facilities. Registered
nurses are invited to train with respect to developing workshops related to
teaching or educating members of the community. Both community nursing and
street nursing are growing trends and courses in either of these areas, present
an excellent option for registered nurses, who prefer to work in the community,
as opposed to hospital settings, retirement centers or nursing homes.
Registered nurses are invited to obtain further training through conferences of
various kinds offered at hotels, community centers or schools. CPR and first
aid training is frequently offered in many facilities. Other educational
programs may include training with regard to organizing clinics for infant and
child care, the administration of flu vaccine or registered nurse recruitment. Note
that registered nurses receive certification for the majority of the courses
they complete.
Most psychiatric wards in
hospitals or other mental health care facilities introduce specialized training
in programs like drug or alcohol related crisis intervention and resolution.
How to live with diabetes or weight loss and management, as well as various
other programs are offered by various community organizations. There may
be training for registered nurses, on global issues, like the current spread of
the H1N1 virus.
The onus for reflective
practice is always the responsibility of individual registered nurses. It is up
to you, as a registered nurse, to take advantage of the learning opportunities
as they arise.
Studying regularly on an
interest level, is an excellent way to keep your nursing education up to date.
This can include courses specific to your personal preferences in nursing and
your realm of expertise or be based upon your need for certain skills, like
training in counseling or teaching. Actually obtaining certification in
teaching is an excellent idea, as registered nurses are always teaching
someone, something that is health related. Registered nurses are professional
health educators.
Think about this recent
comment.
"At our university nursing
school, we only hire nurses that have a baccalaureate in nursing. Religious
studies and philosophy don't have anything to do with nursing."
Taking other, advanced degree
courses, like religious studies or philosophy, are highly recommended for
registered nurses, as life and death issues will be an important part of
nursing, especially in the light of the increasing need for palliative care, as
well as global trends in nursing. These can also lead the way into a future
doctorate program.
Pursuing specific courses,
directly related to individual patient's medical problems, treatments or issues
of concern, is a good day-to-day practice for new registered nurses. Doing case
studies, leading workshops and seminars is an excellent way to upgrade your
education on a regular basis.
Pursing legal nurse consultant
courses is an excellent way to learn about medical-legal issues.
Researching, writing and
publishing papers on the Internet, is a relatively new way for you to further
your education. Younger nurses can learn from the past experience of older
nurses and benefit from their philosophy of nursing.
"Has management forgotten
what nursing care is all about? Maybe the nursing journals should be
re-written?"
Obtaining advanced information
rooted or grounded in other religions, cultures or traditions, is a possible
option for all registered nurses to pursue. While alternative health may be
discouraged in western medicine, your patients may be involved in
non-traditional or alternative health practices. As a registered nurse, you
need to be informed and able to respond to their concerns.
Always keeping an open mind
with regard to nursing education is important. Make continual inquiries
into nursing related issues. Keep your education current as a professional
registered nurse. Being knowledgeable about nursing requires both time and
effort on your part, but even while it does consume valuable time, it is
invariably time well spent.
As a registered nurse, learn
about previous nursing practices, but always find out about any current trends
or practices, with an eye to the future. You will be glad that you did.
Keep your nursing education and
registration up to date, as the face of nursing is always changing!
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