Health care changes constantly as new technology and improved protocols are used to treat patients. While there's great value to on-the-job training and in-house learning programs, continuing education courses can help keep nurses up to date, while allowing them to network with peers.
"It's important for nurses to take continuing education courses," said Debbie Hatmaker, Ph.D., RN, SANE-A, chief programs officer for the Georgia Nurses Association. "Not only does this help them stay current, it's a measure of their competency and it gives them additional credibility with their peers and other health care professionals."
Continuing education courses are not mandated by the Georgia Board of Nursing, but it's a good idea to take classes. Measured in contact hours, 50 minutes equals one contact hour of training.
The Georgia Nurses Association offers training and also approves other courses. The association lists courses on its Web site (www.georgianurses.org).
For nurse executives, another good source of information about continuing education opportunities is the American College of Healthcare Executives Web site (www.ache.org), which has a full schedule of courses.
"Nurse executives are one of the most critical keys to the future clinical success of hospitals," said Robin Singleton, FACHE, FAAHC, executive vice president with the Atlanta office of executive search firm DHR International. "Professional organizations can give nurses opportunities for continuing education, networking with peers and certifications that help increase their value to their organizations and demonstrate their ability to affect clinical outcomes."
Courses also can help nurses become certified in their specialty areas.
"Certification recognizes specialization, enhances professionalism and, in some cases, serves as a criterion for financial reimbursement," Hatmaker said.
To earn certification in a specialty area, nurses must pass a national examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
"We consider education a lifelong experience in nursing," Hatmaker said.