| Continuing education is an essential part of a career in | | | | as a central theme. This meshing of minds and ideas |
| nursing and is required to keep a license and vital to | | | | is a common formula for the development of sound |
| keeping skills fresh. The trick is finding the time to | | | | policies and procedures. |
| get these continuing education hours in and still have | | | | The skills and information gained from the seminars |
| a life outside of work. Balancing a personal life and | | | | can usually be put into practice immediately. Whether |
| work is hard enough without additional time demands. | | | | it's a seminar to help prepare for testing or one on |
| College courses can be huge time commitments. | | | | the newest technique used in critical care for cardiac |
| These usually span a whole semester and many have | | | | patients, the information is relevant to what you are |
| strict attendance policies. Online courses offer a less | | | | doing right now. Learning how to use a new piece of |
| time intensive option, however you are on your own | | | | equipment or the steps of a new procedure will pay |
| to learn the material. No one is presenting it to you. | | | | off in less confusion and less of a learning curve for |
| So, what is a working nurse to do? That is where | | | | everyone involved. Patients will benefit from this new |
| nursing seminars come in. These are chances to get | | | | found knowledge, as will colleagues and employers. |
| some much needed continuing education in a shorter | | | | The skills gained could lead to promotions and extra |
| amount of time. Some seminars may be offered at | | | | responsibilities or perhaps even more pay. |
| the workplace. Others may take place at local or | | | | Seminars are designed to be focused and many |
| regional conferences. These are designed around | | | | times are delivered in smaller group settings. Some |
| convenience and pack a lot of information in a small | | | | seminars may be delivered in large lecture halls with |
| space of time. | | | | less give and take. These should be approached like |
| Another positive to nursing seminars is the focused | | | | any lecture and the information taken back and |
| nature of this type of training. A seminar usually | | | | shared with the group at work. This is where the |
| focuses on one particular area of nursing. A college | | | | ideas are generated and implementation takes place. |
| course is general and covers all the topics included | | | | Small group seminars, such as those that come to |
| under the course title. A nursing seminar may focus | | | | you, offer more immediate feedback and idea |
| on one new technique or piece of equipment. A | | | | generation, however, this sometimes leads to missing |
| seminar may present the newest research available. | | | | some information or seminars running long. |
| It can be focused on new developments in patient | | | | Nursing seminars are similar to any other seminar. The |
| care or ways of dealing with colleagues and the | | | | goal is to present an idea and get the information out |
| stress of the job. No matter the topic, there is much | | | | in a short span of time. Those who are interested in |
| to be gained by attending seminars. | | | | more detailed information can then explore the ideas |
| Rubbing elbows with others in the field is another | | | | through additional courses or classes. Many new and |
| benefit of these seminars. It might be co-workers in | | | | innovative ideas are presented in seminars. It is a |
| the same hospital that you don't see because of | | | | good way to spark interest in these new |
| opposite shifts or colleagues in other hospitals or | | | | technologies or ideas. Nurses who attend may find |
| clinics. Keeping these connections fresh can pay off | | | | equipment or techniques that would enhance their |
| when they are needed. These people have the same | | | | work with patients and can take those ideas back to |
| work-related interests and concerns as you. They are | | | | their supervisors for possible implementation. This |
| great sounding boards for new ideas and great | | | | shows a supervisor that you have initiative and are |
| support in times of need. | | | | committed to the patients. |
| Many seminars offer a chance for the give and take | | | | Nursing seminars are great opportunities to get those |
| of information. Some presenters will open with an | | | | much needed continuing education hours in short time |
| idea session, asking for audience participation right off | | | | blocks, but they are so much more. They offer |
| the bat. This is a chance to get answers to questions | | | | opportunities to network, share ideas, develop new |
| that may have been lingering. It is also a chance to | | | | ideas, enhance patient care skills, and bring back ideas |
| bounce ideas off colleagues and those higher up in | | | | for change in the workplace. Seminars are ripe with |
| the field. Some seminars, the smaller ones, are set up | | | | opportunities to advance your nursing career and |
| as a roundtable discussion, with the sharing of ideas | | | | make you a better nurse. |