Mandatory Continuing Nursing Education: The Pros and Cons Autumn S, Diana P, Jean-Aure J, Mina R, Sarah B, & Zehra C Grand Canyon University: NRS-440VN March 25, 2018

Why Are We Pro Mandatory Continuing Education?

• Improves skills to apply to clinical practice • Incorporation of evidence- based studies in practice • Improves skills to apply to clinical practice • Incorporation of evidence- based studies in practice Impact on Competency • Reflection upon one’s own practice • Improves efficiency of finding learning opportunities • Reflection upon one’s own practice • Improves efficiency of finding learning opportunities PROS PROS

Impact on Competency CONS CONS • Nurse shortages  understaffing  limits education • Underfunding  limited availability • Different mandates and priorities • Limiting knowledge • Not very effective curriculum • Nurse shortages  understaffing  limits education • Underfunding  limited availability • Different mandates and priorities • Limiting knowledge • Not very effective curriculum

PROS PROS Impact on Knowledge • Knowledge is power • Contributes to career growth • Expands knowledge • Necessary to function in competent fashion • Better patient outcomes • Keeps us on our toes • Knowledge is power • Contributes to career growth • Expands knowledge • Necessary to function in competent fashion • Better patient outcomes • Keeps us on our toes

CONS CONS Impact on Knowledge • Professional obligation • Growth can only occur if willing to learn • Growth becomes stagnant • Professional obligation • Growth can only occur if willing to learn • Growth becomes stagnant

PROS PROS Impact on Attitudes • Embraced as opportunity • Increases commitment • Increased confidence • Keeps control in the hands of the individual • Increased accountability • CE can directly challenge outlook and attitude • Embraced as opportunity • Increases commitment • Increased confidence • Keeps control in the hands of the individual • Increased accountability • CE can directly challenge outlook and attitude