Educated RN

Well, the thing about nursing that I like is that there is never a "done" no matter how long you've been working, and starting from scratch when switching to a new specialty.

Combined with the mandatory continuing education to keep your license active, there is a bewildering array of learning opportunities, including those you mentioned.

Many times you'll find answers via your co-workers, as in what journals they subscribe to, professional associations they belong to, and other priorities they consider for staying current in that job, in that specialty.

So, for me "which is best" is dependent on factors like cost, availability of on-site opportunities, travel distance (ie for conferences, seminars) and preferences in degree of social interaction.

Personally, I enjoy the classroom experience, but due to time, cost restraints and lack of inservice or nurse educators I take online courses, usually those on sale. If I took a job where group attendance at a conference in another city is an expectation I would explore all options before deciding not to attend.

If I were employed at a teaching hospital, my "best way" would align with my preferred way, though. Best wishes!

Question- how to stay educated on disease processes and pharmacology after graduation. Seems work work and work which I absolutely love; BUT worried about losing what I have learned.

If you are doing your 'work, work, work' in the correct manner, you be constantly applying your knowledge on disease processes and pharmacology to these everyday workplace situations.

If you constantly apply your knowledge at work, you will not lose what you have learned in school. If anything, the application enhances your knowledge base beyond the realm of textbooks.