| nuing Education (CE) is vital for the further | | | | education courses is to garner CE hours toward |
| development of a nursing career, but you | | | | recertification or licensure, then accreditation is vital. |
| shouldn’t choose just any courses to add to | | | | Check to be sure that the courses you choose are |
| your credentials. Each CE program that you choose | | | | accredited by The American Nurses Credentialing |
| should enhance your knowledge, make you a more | | | | Center. |
| valuable employee and further you on your career | | | | Is it Offered by Respected Professionals in the Field? |
| path. Evaluating your nursing continuing education | | | | Do you recognize the names of the instructors, or of |
| opportunities for each of the following criteria can | | | | the institution offering the course you’re |
| help you choose just the right courses to keep you | | | | planning to take? Popularity isn’t always a |
| on the right career and professional path. | | | | measure of quality, but it is one way of checking the |
| Is the Course Relevant to my Job? | | | | credentials of instructors and institutions. If |
| Choose courses that enhance your ability to do your | | | | you’re not familiar with either the instructors |
| job. If your current position is in the school nursing | | | | or the offering institutions, ask around. |
| environment, a continuing education course about the | | | | Nurses’ forums on the Internet are great |
| latest advances in ER technology isn’t likely | | | | places to find out about programs that you might be |
| to have much relevance to your job. On the other | | | | considering – and you’ll hear directly |
| hand, some courses that seem to be irrelevant on | | | | from professionals just like you whether or not the |
| the surface may have subtle connections that | | | | course material was helpful and suitable for your |
| aren’t obvious at first glance. Is some of | | | | continuing education. |
| your school nursing time spent in a full-service on | | | | Is the Learning Style Accessible for You? |
| campus clinic? In that case, that emergency room CE | | | | One often overlooked facet of evaluating a nursing |
| course may just offer something of value. | | | | course is personal learning style. No one knows |
| Does it Enhance my Career Opportunities? | | | | better than you do whether you learn best with |
| Even if you’re content in your position and | | | | hands-on instruction, or can absorb more information |
| have no plans to seek advancement, you should | | | | if left to explore and gather it on your own. Choose |
| evaluate how a chosen continuing education course | | | | classes that are conducted in your best learning style |
| fits into your plans. The world of medicine changes | | | | to get the most out of your continuing education |
| every day, and so do expectations of nursing | | | | hours. |
| professionals. Keep your eye on advances in your | | | | Continuing education courses for nursing represent a |
| chosen segment of the nursing field to be sure that | | | | substantial investment of your time and money. Take |
| the courses you choose keep you qualified for the | | | | the time to evaluate each course that you plan to |
| jobs to which you aspire. | | | | take to make sure that it meets all your |
| Is the Course Accredited? | | | | expectations and needs. |
| If your main goal in taking nursing continuing | | | | |