Importance of Lifelong Learning for Nurses

Importance of Lifelong Learning for Nurses

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Importance of Lifelong Learning for Nurses

Introduction

            Nursing is a dynamic field, which prompts caregivers to identify opportunities to advance their knowledge through lifelong learning. Qalehsari, Khaghanizadeh, and Ebadi (2017) define lifelong learning as a self-directed and ongoing pursuit of knowledge and understanding aimed at meeting a student’s personal, social, and professional needs. In some contexts, however, it is unattainable due to high costs, lack of managerial support, and time consumption, thereby begging whether the activity is necessary. Nurses must embrace lifelong learning as a measure towards staying abreast of changes in the profession and ensure the continuous pursuit of excellence, to guarantee their relevance and productivity in the long-term.

Nurses can stay effective if they practice lifelong learning. Yang and Jiang (2014) claim that continuous self-directed education enhances the clinical care skills of undergraduate nursing students. The concept can enrich practitioners’ knowledge of nurse-related legalities, thereby enabling them to perform competently. The findings also reveal that learners with exposure to this activity demonstrate well-developed critical thinking, controlled emotions, time management abilities, and positive interpersonal relations with patients and colleagues (Yang & Jiang, 2014).

As Healthcare Continues to Evolve Nurses Need to Stay Abreast with the Changes

Similar to all other occupations, the nursing profession undergoes progressive changes, and it is crucial to incorporate these changes to facilitate the provision of holistic, patient-centered care. Rapid changes in medicine and technology in the 21st century make it imperative that nurses embrace lifelong learning (Irland, 2019). This enables nurses to continue developing their knowledge and skills to keep up with the pace of technological development and be able to provide excellent care to patients. Lifelong learning is achievable by becoming nationally certified, writing articles for nursing journals, accessing and sharing information in the care of a patient with their colleagues, or earning a higher degree. Achieving lifelong learning contributes to the individual’s productivity and marketability.

Boost Productivity

Adapting to new and innovative changes also creates a conducive work environment, thereby increasing employee morale and boosting overall productivity. Covey (2012) concurs that individuals exposed to self-directed instructions are likely to exhibit higher levels of motivation and creativity than those who participate in system-controlled training due to reduced resistance and improved cooperation. When a healthcare organization has an entire nursing workforce committed towards lifelong learning, it is possible to efficiently achieve or surpass the set goals and improve the quality of care. Thus, all evidence shows that lifelong learning boosts productivity, thereby resulting in better patient outcomes.

Changes in Best Practices

In addition to bolstering performance, lifelong learning enables nurses to keep pace with the dynamics of the healthcare sector. Price and Reichert (2017) indicate that evolving patient-care standards and best practices encourage mid- to late-career nurses to seek intellectual capital through continuous education. Consequently, this activity helps caregivers to offer better treatment to patients. The results of their study reveal that nurses perceive lifelong learning as an investment in their expertise. More specifically, new care attendants cited the desire to pursue further learning opportunities to adapt to changes in contemporary organizations. Facilities that compel their nurses to adjust to new conditions through continuing learning may save up to $25,000 per person due to reduced turnover rates (Price & Reichert, 2017). As such, lifelong education aids nurses throughout their careers.

Changes in Technology

Over time, technological advancements continue to impact every aspect of society today, including medicine and nursing, and learning these changes determines effective integration in one’s nursing practice.  These changes include the digitalization of health records, information and communication technology, and telemedicine. It is time that healthcare professionals realize that acquiring this knowledge and skills is necessary for the delivery of more exceptional patient care, improved public health, ease of workflow, and lower health cost.

Improving Evidence-Based Practice

Continuing education bolsters nurses’ relevance by encouraging them to engage in evidence-based practice (EBP). According to Horntvedt, Nordsteien, Fermann, and Severinsson (2018), discontinuity of learning prevents nurses from identifying and applying EBP research. Conversely, continuing education furnishes caregivers with appropriate computer and information literacy to interpret nursing research and integrate innovative EBP strategies in the workplace, thereby providing safer patient care. Lifelong learning also generates awareness of changing best EBP methods. While a nurse’s performance may accumulate after several years of employment, research aptitude is challenging to cultivate. For this reason, the practical approach to developing this ability is to ensure that a caregiver is learning continuously (Yang & Jiang, 2014). Covey (2012) contends that competent professionals are those who scrutinize existing conditions and alternatives before prescribing the desired course of action. Therefore, nurses can maintain their level of expertise by participating in continuous EBP education.

Nurses are Obligated and Committed to Continuously Pursue Excellence

In their role, nurses have an obligation to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care, which is achievable through the continuous pursuit of excellence using lifelong learning. According to a Gallup survey released on December 2013, the public rated nurses as the most trusted professionals (The American Nurse, 2019). The study ranked professionals based on honesty and ethical standards. Patients trust nurses as they are their first contact upon admission, and they tend to interact with nurses more frequently than they would with their primary physicians. The trust that the public has in nurses is a clear indication of the need that nurses have to both maintain and improve performance and productivity through lifelong learning.

Continuing Education is not Easily Attainable

Despite the benefits presented by lifelong learning, nurses encounter significant deterrents that make it difficult to attain the ultimate goal. Continuing education is expensive and time-consuming, and working professionals participating in this program may face difficulties altering their work-life balance to accommodate schoolwork (Irland, 2019).  Irland (2019) also notes that in other instances, nurses do not find the need to pursue further education when they acquire the necessary certifications required to gain employment. Nevertheless, it is important to note that nurses can gain an education in the clinical setting by participating in research or reading studies conducted on various aspects of the profession. Access to these resources could ultimately reduce the costs of lifelong-learning while equipping the nurse with the necessary skills to carry out their roles effectively. Additionally, nurses can acquire this knowledge in their course of their daily activities or during their free time, and as such, they do not compromise on their current schedules.

Conclusion

Overall, lifelong learning prompts healthcare professionals to be productive and relevant. Nurses are likely to demonstrate exceptional performance if they engage in lifelong learning. The manifestations of boosted productivity include time management skills, critical thinking, controlled emotions, and interpersonal communication abilities. Continuous self-directed education enables nurses to remain highly competent by keeping pace with the dynamics of healthcare practice, developing their intellectual capital, and applying current EBP research. Taking everything into consideration, the benefits of life long learning outweighs the challenges.

References

Covey, S. R. (2012). The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York, NY: RosettaBooks.

Horntvedt, M. T., Nordsteien, A., Fermann, T., & Severinsson, E. (2018). Strategies for teaching evidence-based practice in nursing education: A thematic literature review. BMC Medical Education, 18(1), p. 172. Doi: 10.1186/s12909-018-1278-z

Irland, N. (2019). Lifelong learning: who needs it. Nursing USA, 39(2), pp. 8–11. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.stevenson.edu:

Price, S., & Reichert, C. (2017). The importance of continuing professional development to career satisfaction and patient care: Meeting the needs of novice to mid- to late-career nurses throughout their career span. Administrative Sciences, 7(2), p.17. Doi: 10.3390/admsci7020017

Qalehsari, M. Q., Khaghanizadeh, M., & Ebadi, A. (2017). Lifelong learning strategies in nursing: A systematic review. Electronic Physician, 9(10), pp.5541–5550. Doi: 10.19082/5541

The American Nurse (2019,) Nurses retain top spot as most ethical. Retrieved from http://www.theamericannurse.org/2014/03/03/nurses-retain-top-spot-as-most-ethical/

Yang, G. F., & Jiang, X. Y. (2014). Self-directed learning readiness and nursing competency among undergraduate nursing students in Fujian province of China. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 1(3), pp.255-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2014.05.021