Nursing Goals Through Continuing Education, Essay Example

Nursing is a profession that is filled with compassionate individuals that have a mission to care for patients, with the ultimate goal of saving lives. Along with compassion, nurses should have excellent skills through education, training and experience. While nursing school prepares nurses through curriculum, the ever changing medical field makes it important to maintain that level of education throughout ones career. In order to achieve and be a superior nurse, it is important to engage in the continuing education credits and classes that are offered. There are oftentimes numerous opportunities to engage in training, take extra courses and even learn through hands on experience. By continuing ones education and the learning process, not only is the nurse developing skills, but also improving the entire nursing profession and enhancing the patients care.

While much of the medical field and illnesses will remain the same, there are new treatments, medication and information that are forever changing. According to Young, with illness increasing at alarming rates and increased medical technology, nurses must be diligent in continuing their learning experience (145). One of the most notable examples would be the high prevalence and growing numbers of Diabetes. Along with the increased numbers of patients also comes heavy research and changing medications, treatments and other therapies. It is important to ensure that education is coupled with experience to ensure that the patient has the best care possible. It is unreasonable to believe that a nurse can maintain effective care to patients if new technology and education is not obtained. Engaging in continuing education not only increases the amount of knowledge that a nurse has, but it also provides additional confidence.

Along with medical technology changes there are also a number of legal and ethical differences that occur over the year. Legality of the medical care administration as well as a nurse changes periodically and is something that they must be responsible for. In recent years HIPPA was placed into effect addressing the privacy and storage of patient records. A nurse must be well versed in the laws and HIPPA so that they can ensure that they are acting within the law (Salamonson 37). Without learning and ensuring that the laws and changes are addressed, nurses could face criminal charges and even lose their license to practice. It is important for the nurse and employer to ensure that appropriate training is maintained.

While most license agencies require nurses to maintain a specific number of continuing education, my goal is to maintain the minimum as well as add extra hours every year. It is important that my education is further by engaging in constant learning. This will allow me to serve the patients with maximum efficiency. There are a number of opportunities to learn and not only is it important for the profession, but it will also keep my mind fresh and engaged. I firmly believe that a person should always strive to achieve more. The only way to achieve higher standards is to ensure that you are up on all the latest and newest information. Eventually I would like to further my degree and even obtain my RN license. Taking the time to learn and achieve is an ultimate goal that will enhance my nursing profession.

Works Cited

Young, Jennifer L. “Educating Staff Nurses On Diabetes: Knowledge Enhancement.” MEDSURG Nursing 20.3 (2011): 143-150.

Salamonson, Yenna. et al. “Burden Versus Benefit: Continuing Nurse Academics’ Experiences Of Working with Sessional Teachers.” Contemporary Nurse: A Journal For The Australian Nursing Profession 38.1/2 (2011): 35-44.