What do you do to strengthen your practice?

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

Hi all!

I think it would be cool to share the ways we personally work to grow as nurses. Anyone who's graduated nursing school, gone on to pass the NCLEX, and worked as a nurse knows your education doesn't end with school. But I imagine what continuing education looks like will vary between specialties and individuals. This might range from methods, CEs, reading journals, seeking out mentors, studying for certifications, advancing degrees, joining professional organizations, and even browsing forums on AN.

Our responses could answer these questions:

What's your specialty?

How long have you practiced?

What websites and books do you study with or practice on?

Are you a part of a study group?

How many hours a week do you devote to study?

and anything else you'd like to share on this topic!

I'm hoping sharing these things will be informative and inspiring.

I'll go first.

Specialty: ICU and Burns

Years of practice: 12 (but burns is new)

BOOKS:

Case Studies in Critical Care Nursing

Nursing Care of the Critically Ill Child

Notes on ICU Nursing

Total Burn Care

A&P coloring book (yes, for real -- constant review keeps things fresh)

WEBSITES:

American Burn Association

SkillSTAT -- ECG simulator

AACN

my employer website

Currently I spend about 5-10 hours a week studying outside of work. This is because I'm new to burns. I also hope to sit for the CCRN in the next year or so.

I don't currently subscribe to any journals though I'm looking for recommendations.

After CCRN, my goal will be to maintain around 3 hours of study outside of work per week.

So what do YOU do and recommend?