Thanks to technology, more education opportunities exist to keep hospitals fully staffed with nurses.
E-learning continues to open opportunities for students in fields that were once not possible, particularly in the health sciences. With new virtual-learning experiences and interactive modules, credit-bearing programs offer numerous possibilities for nursing education. The National Staff Development Council says that, combined with hands-on training, e-learning holds much promise both in filling institutions with qualified staff and in keeping existing staff fully credentialed.
Instructions
1. Search online universities for the courses and training you need. The University of Phoenix, for example, offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, obtainable nearly entirely online (some have in-person residency requirements); all are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The e-Learning Center offers health-care and medical courses for ongoing training and development, such as "The ABC's of Personal Care" and "About Arthritis" and "Arterial Blood Gases: All You Wanted to Know." Certificate programs are available as well.
2. Check with your state's accrediting body, if you're renewing your accreditation, to be sure credits apply to your certification. Some employers provide reimbursement -- make sure your selected program is among those that are reimbursable. To ensure their acceptance by employers and prospective employers, be sure that courses offered align with organizational and institutional health care standards, such as those published by the American Nurses Association's Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice for all nursing professionals.
3. Compile a record of all courses taken on a spreadsheet. Retain a running record to include the complete title, number of hours, a catalog description and the school or university attended. State Health Departments and employers require this information for certification renewal and as a review of qualification credentials.
4. Write a brief reflection of each learning experience. Include a summary of what you learned, what tasks were performed, and how it applied to, or will apply to, the field. These reflections can communicate important learning opportunities for future potential employers and promotional opportunities, and as descriptors for staff development.
Tags: Nursing Education