How do you keep your nursing practice current?

I don't know why they call it a practice...like we're important professionals or something.

I don't know why they call it a practice...like we're important professionals or something.

umm... Because we are.

To OP - I am still fresh out of school, so haven't worried a lot about this yet for my nursing licence. But, I've had several years of maintaining my dental assisting credentials. There are a couple yearly dental conferences here in the metro area that I attended to keep up with the "Latest and Greatest". BTW - some of the classes/lectures had RN CEUs available also, so I'll be able to kill the proverbial two birds with one stone.

The hospital I am currently employed at appears to have a good program aimed at keeping nursing staff up to date. (Although I'm still trying to figure out how to make that work with a evening /nights rotation...) I also get mailings from school / other sources for available classes, lectures, online classes, etc. I'm also currently looking at different nursing magazines. (Suggestions welcome...) And, I intend to go back to school to finish BSN in the not to distant future. (Personal goal to finish "4 year" degree before kids do - oldest is HS senior.)

So, I guess in answer: yes, to all of your questions above.

I have been a nurse for 10 1/2 years. I work in oncology, I try to keep myself updated on new and inovatine treatments and procedures in my area. Cancer is such a broad area though so I have been in GYN and now am in Breast cancer. Early on I joined the local ONS (Oncology Nursing Society) they keep us posted on new drugs and stuff. We, ONS, also have seminars to get CEUs. Fortunately for me I have worked at a medical university hospital for almost 6 years now, except for a brief stint with hospice, then I came back.

The way I see it I worked hard for this licesne. I want to keep it and by keeping it I have to keep up. So that is what I try to do.

Our State requires 20 hours of CNE every 2 years. My employer offers loads of free CNE through a subscription online service. In order to remain on clinical ladder we must acquire CNE. I read and do online courses, but rarely have time to attend seminars. However, I do go to the state nurses association leadership meeting each year and pick up 10-16 hours there. So I get plenty. I subscribe to three journals.

I take continuing education classes, have a free subscription to Advance Magazine for LPNs, read this site daily, and am always looking on the web for interesting information, because I love reading about medicine. Also, I spend a great deal of time looking at medical documentaries, such as Mystery Diagnosis (and I am proud as a peacock when I get the dx correct before they announce what it is).

I do a lot of CEUs and research on the Internet. Allnurses is such a valuable "classroom" because of all the member input with resources and information.

I often become aware of trends in clinical practice here before those are adopted at my job. It's nice to be able to explain why we're doing something new or different when the other nurses want to know.

I do read nursing journals and keep current with ACLS.

As long as you are working, you are in a way staying current. Hospital policies and procedures do change, and nurses are inserviced on the changes.

Our hospital launched new evidenced based protocols dealing with skin integrity, and we were all educated about the procedure/policy changes.

When new meds come available, we can read up on the drug reference site on the computer to learn about new meds before they are given.

New equipment is introduced-more learning happens.

I don't know why they call it a practice...like we're important professionals or something.

I don't go out of my way for currency, as I don't have the full skill set yet, so I read books and listen to nursing CDs in my car.