What do you read to keep current?

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Specializes in Pulmonary med/surg/telemetry.

I graduated 3 months ago, and I was just wondering what sources you use to keep current on nursing issues. I'm mostly thinking new research, procedures, etc. rather than the political side of things. Now that I'm out of school and not doing the constant studying I'm seeing all the "real life" stuff but I miss getting the academic side of things.

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health, Camp, Travel, L&D.

Specialty organization publications, mostly. AWHONN & ACNM membership has never been something I've regretted. Also, every couple of years, invest in a brand-new textbook in your specialty (could prob do something with kindle in this vein, but I defer that to more ereader savvy folks on this board). Also, Pearls Review is a good resource, as are review materials for certification exams.

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Pubmed. :)

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Specializes in medical/surgical & oncology.

I like the journal Nursing 2011 (or whatever the year is!)... The section titled "Clinical Rounds" has some interesting information on current issues... If you are interested in staying in your specialty area for a while, it would also benefit you to become a member of a national organization, such as Oncology Nursing Society, Academy of Medical/Surgical Nurses, etc... I was once a member of the ANA, but it is very much a political organization...

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Specializes in Surgical/ Trauma critical care.

Become a member to a nursing organization you are interested in, also attend CEU's and conferences.

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My practice is updated every time I recertify for ACLS.

New practices and current research does affect ACLS.

The hospital procedures are updated over time and nursing polices are changed according to new research and evidence.

A big teaching hospital like mine with a dedicated nursing education department spends a lot of time keeping us staff nurses current.

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Specializes in Medical.

I subscribe to Medscape.com's nursing newsletter, as well as one for each of the specialties on my unit and others that touch on them (eg transplantation). It's free, they have CEU, are current and frequent.

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I agree, join your specialty organizations. They have Journals with ceu articles to stay current.

Try to attend a yearly Congress that is hosted by the specialty organization.

Recently, I signed up for PearlsReview and it is very well done.

Look for classes/review courses at local hospitals. Often, specialty organizations

have review courses which are offered locally when arranged by nurse manager or nurse

education department.

Update your textbook as tablefor9 suggested, and often there are pocket books which

are also well done in the specialty from both nursing and medical perspective.

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I second looking at sciencedaily.com's health sections to see what's coming down the pipe. But for the real deal, MedScape is the way to go. They offer a ton of specialty info and relevant news cycle. There's also a really useful MedScape iphone app you should check out.

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Nurse.com there are over 400 ceu on it and you can access it for free.

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