Pros and Cons of Mandatory Continuing Nursing Education

Introduction

Should continuing nursing education be mandatory for nurses?Pros and cons of the impact on:CompetencyKnowledge and attitudesProfessional certificationRelationship on ANA scope and standards of practiceRelationship on ANA code of ethics

Impact on Competency

ProsAbility to:Reflect on one’s practiceDetermine learning needsEfficiently search for learning resources Management of skills, resources, and evidenceEvaluate one’s competencies and gain insight on internal and external feedback

Impact on Competency

ConsHealthcare staff shortagesUnder-funding of CE development programs and higher education institutionsRapid changes in professional knowledge Lack of evidence connecting life long learning and education to patient health outcomes, health system needs, and health professional needs

Impact on Knowledge and Attitudes

ProsKnowledgeable and competent on new advancementsUp to date treatments/plans of careBecome certified in area of interestSense of accomplishmentGreater advancement opportunitiesResource for othersVarious opportunities/methods

Impact on Knowledge and Attitudes

ConsLearning not interestingTime consumingTask vs. learning opportunityNot necessarily better practiceCost

Impact on Professional Certification

ProsPromotes continuous learning, which is essential for career development, skill advancement, and optimal patient care (Rauen & Katz-Brock, 2014)Can provide increased feelings of competence and self-confidence (Fights, 2015)Helps foster safer work environments, helps educate colleagues, and contribute to a culture of best practice (Rauen & Katz-Brock, 2014)Provides career opportunities (American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC], n.d.)Nurse mangers prefer to hire certified nurses because they have a proven knowledge base in specialty practice and an enhanced ability to function in complex patient care situations (Fights, 2015)

Impact on Professional Certification (cont.)

Cons (ANCC, n.d.)FinancesExamination feesAssociation/membership feesContinuing education feesLabor intensiveTime consuming to learn the material

Relationship to ANA Scope and Standards of Practice

ProsImprove professional competencies (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2010).Motivation for continuous education for allMandates improvement in skills and quality of careImproves health outcomes in patients and communitiesFosters networking in professional nursesDemonstrates professionalism (ANA, 2010).

Relationship to ANA Scope and Standards of Practice

ConsCostly to implement Time consumingProfessional resistance against the mandatory requirement Difficult to measure patient outcomes attributed to education

Relationship to ANA Code of Ethics

Ongoing training to engage with moral and organizational complexityEducation in ethics should be continued over time throughout a nurse’s career.Continuing education in ethics can lead to advocacy for human rights

Relationship to ANA Code of Ethics

Continuing nursing education provides the tools for:Knowledge DevelopmentEducation Administration Research

Should Nursing Education be Mandatory?

Nursing education should be required because (ANA, 2011):“Lifelong learning is essential for the nurse to maintain and increase competence in nursing practice”(para 5)“Many educational options are necessary to meet the diverse needs of the nursing population” (para 5)As the healthcare system continues to evolve, it is essential for nurses to remain competent in order to provide safe patient care

References

Altmann, Tanya. (2012) Nurses’ Attitudes Toward Continuing Formal Education: A Comparison by Level of Education and Geography. Retrieved from: file:///C:/Users/ah340/Desktop/class%208/altmann%20published%20article.pdfThe Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) & the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2010). Life Long Learning in Medicine and Nursing. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/MacyReport.pdf American Nurses Association. (n.d.). ANA only membership. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/ANAOnly-MembershipAmerican Nurses Association (2010). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Nursesbooks.org.American Nurses Association. (2011). The importance of lifelong learning in managing risks. Retrieved from http://ana.nursingworld.org/mods/archive/mod311/cerm203.htm#ANA1994American Nurses Credentialing Center. (n.d.). ANCC certification benefits. Retrieved from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Documents/Certification/ANCCCertificationBenefits.htmlExcite Education. (2017). Nursing Continuing Education. Retrieved from: http://excite.com/education/education/nursing-continuing-education

References

Fights, S. D. (2015). Reap the benefits of certification. Journal Of Trauma Nursing, 22(1), 3-4. doi:10.1097/JTN.0000000000000105Fowler, M.D.M. 2010. Guide to the code of ethics for nurses. Retrieved on April 28, 2017 from http://www.nursesbooks.org/ebooks/download/CodeofEthics.pdfGrace, P. & Milliken, A. (2016). Educating nurses for ethical practice in contemporary health care environments. Retrieved on April 28, 2017 from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hast.625/epdf?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout =1&purchase_referrer=onlinelibrary.wiley.com&purchase_site_licenseNursetogether.com. (2012). 5 Advantages of Continuing Nursing Education. Retrieved from: http://www.nursetogether.com/5-advantages-continuing-nursing-education.Nursetogether.com. (2013). The Pros and Cons of Getting Nursing CEUs. Retrieved from: http://www.nursetogether.com/pros-and-cons-getting-nursing-ceus Rauen, C. & Katz Brock, E. (2014). Certification test prep. Benefit versus burden: Should advanced practice nurses maintain clinical certifications?. Critical Care Nurse, 34(4), 80-84. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/eds/ pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=4fff3b21-e66d-46cf-8a3c-797ea0502aed%40sessionmgr4008&vid=3&hid=4110Ulrich. C.M. 2017.. Nurses at the table. Retrieved on April 27, 2017 from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hast.622/full