Online Continuing Education for Nurses: Are they better?
Advancement in technology has definitely paved a different way of life for this generation than the previous ones who have not enjoyed its existence yet. Of course, with its forward movement come both advantages and disadvantages. In the field of medicine, it has allowed for better treatment options and extended longevity for most individuals. In the healthcare field, particularly among nurses, it has introduced online continuing education. The question is, are they better?
The main goal of online continuing education for nurses is to provide the nurses a way for extending their knowledge as well as different skills in order for them to be well prepared for future challenges, especially that the field of medicine is continuously evolving. It is designed to enable nurses to get their hands on the best practice tutorials on issues regarding health that can be put into practice in the nursing field. For issues regarding nurses who are traditionally work by shifts as well as financial hardships, the push for online continuing education for nurses has been initiated. Fresh tutorials are made available online every month with around 15 courses to be anticipated, and these will be available by year end. Each tutorial is backed up with an online presentation, extra reading, and questions are asked randomly as an assessment.
The internet supplies nurses the way to very affordable as well as great quality recognized continuing education courses addressing abundant nursing topics. As opposed to other methods, acquiring continuing education via the internet gives the nurses the best advantage of flexibility. There will be no need to use the day off or to get hours taken off from work just to attend the mandatory amount of hours. Whereas other methods might take longer to get done with, and might be more costly, online continuing education for nurses has the advantage of speed and efficiency, not to mention that these courses come with a reasonable cost.
Online continuing education for nurses are readily accessible not only for mandatory subjects that some states require, it also offers courses in each nurse’s specialty and courses that every nurse must be familiar with, regardless of their area of concentration. In 2008, according to ANF Federal Secretary Jill Illife, it is expected that there will be a formal obligation to exhibit continuing professional education as a part of the forthcoming national registration system for both nurses and midwives.
Continuing education acquired from nursing journals does not give the nurses official record of the hours they have finished. On the contrary, online tutorials give the nurses a method of keeping track of their continuing education with the use of an online portfolio. Aside from that, professional enhancement activities that have been undertaken in various other setting may also be included.
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Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator (Level II), caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
