Career-driven nurses owe it to themselves—and to their patients—to pursue continuing education opportunities as often as possible throughout their careers. Even after they have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and specialize in a clinical discipline, a nurse’s education doesn’t end. No matter their backgrounds or education levels, nurses should continue to sharpen their skills by participating in nursing education seminars and completing certification programs.
How Nurses Benefit from Attending a Nursing Education Seminar
Professional nursing organizations host nursing education seminars to provide information and teach skills that help nurses grow in their careers. The content of these events depends on the group that is organizing them. Topics range from leadership in nursing to clinical skills training.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are typically required to complete a certain amount of continuing education in order to maintain their licenses, but seminars and other continuing education programs offer benefits that extend well beyond satisfying this requirement. Educational seminars are a great way for all nurses to strengthen their practical knowledge and bolster their qualifications for more challenging nursing positions.
Types of Nursing Seminars
Continuing education for nurses comes in many different formats. Some of the programs are offered in person at conferences or academic institutions, while others are proctored using online platforms. Colleges and universities that have nursing programs often host continuing education seminars on-site. Prominent nursing conferences may also hold continuing education workshops to take advantage of having a group of industry leaders in one location.
Some online seminars take the form of online courses, while others are true web-based seminars (webinars) featuring live lectures that participants can view on their computers and interact with in real time through comments. Online courses typically dive more deeply into specific subject matter than webinars do, using a mix of prerecorded lessons, assignments, tests, and other course materials.
Topics Presented at Online Nursing Education Seminars
Most nurses and nursing students are familiar with the educational programs provided by the American Nurses Association. They include in-person workshops and a selection of online courses and webinars. The examples below demonstrate the range of skills nurses and nursing students can develop by attending nursing education seminars. Nurses and nursing students can select online seminars and coursework based on their specific professional goals and interests.
American Nurses Association: Financial Acumen for Nurses
This webinar teaches nurses financial skills that allow them to more fully understand the business and budgeting decisions that health care administrators make. The program teaches nurses how nursing and hospital budgets are created, and it demonstrates how to derive the maximum value from the resources that their organizations have. Equipped with these skills, nurses can improve their unit’s financial stability, thus creating more value for their employers.
American Nurses Association: Policy, Economics, and Technology in Achieving Care Continuity
This webinar prepares nurses to create safe environments for the patients they are responsible for, whether directly or indirectly. Nurse leaders learn how to achieve optimal patient outcomes by making their employees aware of the need to ensure continuity of care for their patients.
In-Person Nursing Education Seminars Add a Human Touch
Webinars and online courses are great for learning many different skills remotely, but in-person programs offer their own unique benefits. For instance, direct human interaction may make lessons easier to grasp for some participants. Attendees may also find it easier to follow visual representations of complex clinical techniques by viewing them up close.
The following in-person nursing education workshops are popular among experienced nurses.
Effectively Leading an ACEN-Accredited Program: A Workshop for Program Administrators
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) hosts a number of events and workshops for nursing professionals, coordinated by ACEN program administrators. The Program Administrators Workshop teaches attendees about the roles and responsibilities of a program administrator, tracing the path from novice to expert. Participants learn how to comply with ACEN policies and processes, which helps their employers avoid potentially costly violations. Nurse faculty members can leverage this knowledge to qualify for administrative roles that may offer higher compensation and more fulfilling job responsibilities.
National League for Nursing LEAD
The National League for Nursing’s Leadership Institute has designed a program that exposes nurses to education and experiences that prepare them to take on leadership positions in their organizations. Participants thoroughly examine the organizational systems and leadership processes that are essential in advancing into leadership roles in health care. During this yearlong program, participants discuss strategic planning, budgeting, and other administrative topics that are useful for nurse leaders. They also examine management subjects such as how to build a highly effective team of nurses. After completing this workshop, participants could become more competitive when applying for lucrative jobs in upper management.
Maintaining Sharp Career Skills and Learning New Ones
There are plentiful options for nurses to pursue continuing education, and the best way to get the maximum value out of such programs is to start early. Participating in nursing education seminars and workshops can help nurses who have earned an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice, further hone the skills they need to continue moving ahead in their careers.
Learn More
Place yourself on the cutting edge of nursing practice by earning your online DNP degree from Regis College. Speak with an enrollment adviser today about how Regis College’s MSN to DNP online program can help prepare you for your future in nursing.
Recommended Readings:
Nurse Educator Job Description: How to Help Cultivate the Next Generation of Nurses
Top Reasons to Get Your DNP Degree
Understanding the True Importance of Cultural Diversity in Nursing
Sources:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
American Nurses Association: Financial Acumen for Nurses
American Nurses Association: Policy, Economics, and Technology in Achieving Care Continuity