One of the hardest parts of being a nurse is staying up to date on all the industry advancements. Fortunately, it’s easier now than it used to be, thanks to technology and medical journals. Nevertheless, nurses must stay on top of the ever-changing healthcare standards to ensure that they provide the best patient care possible.
These industry standards are put in place so that people can remain in good health regardless of the medical professional they visit. Below, we discuss everything you need to do to stay updated on healthcare advances in the nursing industry.
Nurses shouldn’t fear change
People naturally prefer to stay within their comfort zone. Unfortunately, as a nurse, you need to be able to exit your comfort zone and stay open to new information. Medical advancements are constant, and your patients don’t deserve to miss out on the latest information that can help them. Throughout your career, you’ll experience workplace, education and technology changes.
- Workplace changes
As more people graduate from nursing school, different standards will be put in place for how your workplace operates. For example, many medical professionals are leaning away from long shifts and more toward eight-hour shifts. Before, the industry standard for nursing was 12-hour shifts, no matter where you went.
People want nurses to have as much focus as possible while they work so that nothing goes wrong. Workplace changes are necessary to ensure that the nursing profession stays alive and well instead of driving professionals away. Recognize the benefits of these changes and bring up any issues with your employer as they arise.
- Education changes
Recent nursing school graduates’ training might be different from what you received. As more information comes forward about patient care and treatment, these methods will change, and new methods will be taught to students. Eventually, you’ll need to adapt to how newer nurses work so that your practice doesn’t become outdated.
The good news is that these changes won’t feel too stark because you need to continue your education throughout your career. The amount of time you spend in a class to renew your license depends on the state in which you live. Each state has different requirements for licensed maintenance in the nursing field.
- Technology changes
Continuous technology advances are one of the most frustrating changes you’ll need to deal with in the nursing industry. However, this is a common phenomenon no matter which industry you specialize in. The types of technology that can change throughout your nursing career include monitoring, computers and paging, among others.
You’ll be glad to hear that the adjustment period for your new technology usually only takes a few weeks. Thanks to people continuously using smartphones and other devices, it’s easier than ever to adapt to the latest tech. If you have any concerns about recent devices added to your nursing facility, it would be best to discuss them with your manager.
Pay attention to professional associations
You can keep yourself updated on the latest nursing information and patient care methods by keeping up with nursing associations. Fortunately, these changes are readily available online, and you can set reminders on your phone to check them weekly. The most popular option for these weekly checks is the American Nurses Association.
Find trustworthy medical publications
Medical news is always popular because people strive to live their best lives. However, not all of the information you see online is reliable. You must find trustworthy medical publications to provide excellent patient care at all times. Ensure that anything you read is peer-reviewed by a professional before you trust any information provided.
What do we mean by a trustworthy publication?
How can you tell that a publication is trustworthy? Only use publications from government or association websites with an extensive history in the nursing industry. You should avoid any commercial websites or popular news publications when finding trustworthy information. Unfortunately, finding an objective news source can be difficult.
Be mindful of untrustworthy information when using social media
It’s no secret that most of the population spends more time on social media than they should. This applies to even the most professional nurses in your workplace. Whenever you come across medical information on a social media platform, it’s important to check reputable publications to verify the information.
You should never add a practice you see on social media to your nursing profession if a reputable publication or government website does not back it. Remember, anyone can post anything they want online, especially when using social media platforms. Take everything you see on these websites with a grain of salt.
Informative listening materials for the busy nurse
Nursing can be a busy profession, but it’s not the only thing you do throughout the day. Fortunately, there are plenty of podcasts you can listen to on your commute to work so that you can stay up to date on nursing news without stopping to read. This is the easiest way to incorporate new information to benefit your nursing career.
Continuing your education
Some nurses like to take casual nursing classes even after they get their degrees. This helps them stay current on the latest information without accidentally falling behind. You’ll also need to take courses whenever new nursing practices hit the market so that you can keep your license.
Your employer is likely to stay updated on the latest nursing information and add this information to the workplace. That’s why we recommend being prepared for workplace changes as more medical information surfaces.
Benefits of staying up to date on new information
It can be frustrating to keep yourself updated on the latest nursing information. You worked hard for your degree, and it might feel like the work never stops. However, it is key to stay informed so that you continue growing at your job. Degrees such as the online DNP-FNP offered by Walsh University are also great resources to learn and develop – you can learn more about healthcare policies, human physiology and providing primary care.
This is the easiest way to include evidence-based research in your nursing practice. You won’t have to sift through medical journals all day and night to find accurate information. Navigating the internet to learn more about modern nursing can be overwhelming when you try to filter out unbiased information.
Receive trust from your patients
Your patients need to trust your nursing abilities so that they take your advice and improve their health. For example, if you have a patient who needs a specific diet, they need to trust your knowledge and expertise about the subject. If they don’t trust you about a dieting plan, then they’re unlikely to follow through with it, which can damage their health.
You joined the healthcare industry to treat people well and help them with their ailments. Unfortunately, you can only help them so much if they don’t trust you. Building a relationship with your patients is crucial for your professional reputation and patients’ health.
Avoid big mistakes
Another huge benefit of informing yourself about the latest nursing practices is avoiding big mistakes. If your industry receives a lawsuit due to malpractice, it can cost you your license and give you a negative record. Protect your profession and your patients by regularly honing your knowledge of the nursing industry.
You need evidence-based information to provide the best care possible in your nursing facility. Don’t let yourself make big mistakes by staying out of the loop. Common malpractice problems are easy to avoid when nurses pay attention to the latest medical information.
Maximize your profession
You can climb the ranks in your nursing career by keeping yourself up to date on industry information. When you climb the ranks, you’ll receive a larger salary and respect in the community. Becoming the best nurse you can be is a fulfilling part of your career that will benefit the health of your patients.
You can continue your education to maximize your profession while working as a nurse. However, if you feel comfortable where you’re at in your career, don’t feel pressured to climb the ranks. Many nurses want to climb higher in their profession but don’t have the time due to a demanding work environment and obligations at home.
Even if you feel like you’re busy, there are ways to advance your career without becoming a full-time student. Leaders in the nursing industry understand how difficult it is to balance work, life and school, and they want to help you progress in your career.
Final thoughts
Healthcare advancements: The healthcare sector experiences plenty of changes on which nurses need to stay updated. The easiest way to keep yourself up to date on new information in the nursing industry is by following medical journals and paying attention to professional nursing associations. Refusing to adapt to these changes will make hanging onto your license difficult and put your patients’ health at risk.
Hopefully, this guide makes it easier for you to inform yourself about nursing industry changes. Whether you’re looking to read something in the morning or you want a hands-off option on the way to work, there are plenty of ways to retain new knowledge.