Improving education and literacy in the nursing field
With improved education and literacy in the nursing field, research shows that people live much longer than before. This is mainly because a lack of sufficient knowledge or poor nursing education tends to lead to numerous mistakes that are very costly, especially to people’s health. Consequently, improved nursing education is one of the essential tools for providing high-quality health care (Novakovich, 2017). Understanding best practices in nursing and knowledge in the same field is a commitment to providing the best health care to patients and seeking improvement. Pursuing specialized nursing careers helps people take advantage of the fast-growing job market and employment opportunities. This also allows individuals to unlock their potential for career advancement.
There are different options in the nursing job market based on the different educational levels. Having pursued a bachelor’s degree in nursing, I have several nursing job options. The degree equipped me with considerable and necessary skills to take on different nursing career options. One of the career options that I have in the nursing job market, based on my education level, is the licensed practical nurse. These nurses work hand in hand with physicians and registered nurses to provide primary nursing care to patients. Another employment option is that of a registered nurse. In healthcare organizations, registered nurses play a very vital role. This is because they help provide quality care to patients. Another option I have is a travel nurse. These are registered nurses who help hospitals fill workplace gaps. The position of a nurse practitioner is another option I have in the nursing job market. They provide advanced care to patients, such as disease management, health prevention, and health promotion.
Advancing one’s education in the nursing field is very vital (Bleich, 2011). The IOM report gives several recommendations on promoting education as well as the significance of the academic progression. Based on the different recommendations given on the report, I would like to advance my knowledge and certification upon completing my program. As a result, upon completing my plan, the Pediatric Nursing Certification is the professional certification I would like to pursue. I love children very much. From a tender age, I always felt the urge to care for younger children and my peers. Besides, I also happen to come from a background that has a pediatric care environment and experience. As a result of my interest in working with children more, I would like to work as a pediatrician by providing care. Upon completing the pediatric nurse certification, I would also like to undertake a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). I believe that advancing my education on this path would increase my earning potential and grow my career. Undertaking the course will help me improve my clinical skills. Undertaking MSN will also help e gain advanced skills in pediatric environments.
Upon completing the BSN program, I plan to give myself a two-year break to gain field practice and experience. I plan on doing by volunteering to work in a healthcare facility in my locality. After two years, I will then undertake the Pediatric Nursing Certification. Undertaking the certification requires one to complete 580 clinical hours, which can probably take three semesters to complete. After completing the certificate, I will then work for one year then join MSN. Academic progression in nursing puts nurses in a better position when it comes to competitiveness and the provision of better healthcare to patients. Research shows that nurses with advanced education are in higher demand than before (Garafalo, 2016). This is mainly so due to the increased emphasis placed on the need for advanced and better healthcare provision. Besides, with fast-growing technology, the healthcare industry requires nurses with advanced education and knowledge to ensure that they can work with new and advanced technological facilities and equipment. As a result, advancing my nursing education is a guarantee that I will not be turned down at any employment opportunity due to the lack of the required qualifications. Besides, given that education progression plays a vital role in improving patient safety, it is clear that advancing my education will help increase my competitiveness in the market. Advancing nursing education will be too fundamental to my career since it will help me grow my skills and organization.
Research shows that progression in education and continuing nursing education has positive effects on nurses’ attitudes, competency, and knowledge (Garafalo, 2016). The reason behind this is that continuing nursing education helps improve the clinical reasoning of nurses. This helps boost and improve nurses’ attitudes regarding accuracy in conducting nursing roles such as nursing diagnosis. Besides, not only does continuing nurse education keep them updated on the latest nursing advances and treatment, but it also gives them the opportunity to advance their knowledge in other nursing areas and practices such as pain management. Progression in nursing education also helps increase the competency in nurses (Thompson, 2018). This is because by continuing their education, nurses gain more experience on what is expected of them in terms of their roles and responsibilities. In order to practice with integrity and competently, nurses need to work in accordance with the guidelines of the American Nurses Association as well as based on the Standards for Practice and Code of Ethics (Novakovich, 2017). Continuing with nursing education helps nurses familiarize themselves with these critical elements. This allows nurses to increase their dedication to different guidelines, standards, and principles. Besides, this also will enable nurses to elevate their profession as advancing their education helps nurses understand their defined priorities and values.
The field of nursing is one that involves a lifelong learning process. This is mainly because the field of nursing is one that is continuously improving and evolving through different advancements, especially in knowledge and technology (Thompson, 2018). Besides, techniques and practices in nursing often change hence the need for education progression. Continuing nursing education is fundamental to evidence-based care as well as improved and positive patient outcomes. Advancing knowledge in nursing helps nurses understand why the changes occur and how they affect healthcare provision. Continuing nursing education should not be made a substitute for advanced education. As much as continuing nursing education yields numerous positive effects on the nursing industry and patient outcomes, I believe it should not be mandatory. There is a need to improve nurses’ competency by making continued education mandatory does not guarantee that this will be achieved. As a result, nurses should be allowed to choose whether to improve their education or not.