Do APNPs continue learning?

[Alexxoxox, BSN]

Hello,

I aspire to become a Surgical APNP with RNFA in the future. I originally wanted to go to medical school, but didn't do so well in my first year of college. I love learning science-related things, which is why I originally wanted to be a MD. My question is, do any APNPs feel that they don't learn anything new anymore? Do you feel that your knowledge is limited being an APNP? I know MDs have to keep up on current research, so they are always learning. I just don't want to feel limited in my learning as an APNP.

[Futuremurselyfe]

duh...................

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

I am so confused by this question.

No one is stopping you from reading Robbins, Cecil's, Harrisons, etc. No one is preventing you from subscribing to a journal. No one is barring you at the door to medical conferences and seminars. In fact, I'm telling you that it is encouraged and expected.

Similarly, I'm pretty sure no one is stopping you from taking classes at the local university in whatever your little heart desires - I took a really awesome fantasy literature class during my time in undergrad as a molecular biology major.

[babyNP., APRN]

nope, you're not allowed to learn after you take boards. You sign a statement when you pay for your license....

C'mon, OP seriously? What kind of question is that to ask if we never learn after we go to school? If you're looking for reasons not to be a NP, trust me you don't need validation from the internet. If you want to go to medical school, go to medical school. If you want to go nurse practitioner school, go to nurse practitioner school.

[Alexxoxox, BSN]

Okay, I must not have phrased my question correctly, so I'll give an example. Surgical APNPs are limited on what they can do inside the OR. They can't just practice a new surgical procedure, due to limitations. My question was more focused on the OR aspect of learning.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Okay so you are asking about scope of practice? Am still unsure what you are asking? Are you a nurse now?

[futurenp89]

Please do not become an NP and just go to medical school. Your post clearly shows that you are "settling" for NP because you didn't have good grades your first year of college (which shouldn't matter if you have an upper trend, but thats besides the point).

[llg, PhD, RN]

Okay, I must not have phrased my question correctly, so I'll give an example. Surgical APNPs are limited on what they can do inside the OR. They can't just practice a new surgical procedure, due to limitations. My question was more focused on the OR aspect of learning.

You are free to learn and grow after you become an NP. However, your scope of practice is always limited to what is contained within the scope of practice for that role. Getting lots of experience as an NP and/or learning a lot about things does not change the fact that you are credentialed as an NP and must stay within that scope of practice.

Just as with other roles and jobs within nursing ... getting experience and learning lots does not change the fact that you are still a nurse, not a physician. Expert nurse never equals physician. They are 2 separate professions functioning under different laws and practice regulations.

Similarly, I can take some courses, do lots of reading and learn more about the law than anyone else in the world. But I will never be an attorney unless I graduate from law school and pass the bar exam.

[gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN]

Learning is my hobby. I attended different seminars last year. In fact, I traveled for a company to train MD's. No one ever should stop learning!!

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

In a way you have more options an a NP than a surgeon in terms of participating in surgical procedures. You have laterality in specialties. Bored with gen surgery? Move to CT. Done with that? Switch to ortho.

You get the idea. Whereas a surgeon completes a residency and practices in that specialty. Yes, they assume the more involved aspects of the procedure. But there are instances where you can do quite a lot. If, for example, you find an ortho surgeon that you mesh well with and do a good job, you can do bilateral hips/knees where the surgeon is doing one side and you're doing the other.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Each state has it's professional licensing standards. In my state all licensed professionals have to do some type of maintenance, be it CE, or whatever. With lawyers (for example) they can log in so many x amount of hours doing pro bono work or pick from a list of CE credits. Everyone that's professionally licensed must perform some type of upkeep to keep their licenses in good standing in my state. If your state does not, well...I'm sure they will at some point.

[IsabelK]

I have to do a certain amount of education to maintain my certification. My employer also requires continuing education. All of the NPs and other APRNs I know actually like learning.

Did I really read that question correctly?