Mandatory Continuing Education Essay

Mandatory continuing education requirements are intended to encourage various professionals to expand their knowledge and skills based on evidence-based research, and stay up-to-date with new research. It demonstrates professionalism, improves patient outcomes, and optimize networking by enhancing knowledge and ability to provide safe and high-quality care.

Pros

Provides validation to patients and families

Benefits the employers

Develops nurses commitment to career and enhance a dedication to patient care

Enhances nurses autonomy

Empower nurses

Facilitates collaboration among professionals

Demonstrates accountability to peers, healthcare facilities, and the public (American Association

d.). It maintains the professionalism and staff retention by improving job satisfaction. “ Support for continuing education and certification are the driver of nurses, job satisfaction and have been identified as essential elements of recruiting and retaining nurses”(American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, n. d.). A higher level of job satisfaction among nurses minimizes the turnover rate. In addition, ongoing education reduces nurse’s exposure to risk and prepare them to make critical decisions. Moreover, continuing education enhance the nurses autonomy by providing a necessary knowledge and facilitates collaboration among team members.

Cons

Specialization makes the CE programming difficult

CE is expensive

Evaluation tools are inadequate and ineffective

Education may not assure knowledge and competence

It violates adult learning principles such as voluntary participation

Programs are not consistently and uniformly available

Requiring participation may hinder learning by reducing motivation and individual responsibility

Speakers note

All the mandatory continuing education programs may not be uniform and consistent, there may be a lack of quality and relevance to practitioners needs, which may not change the attitudes of learners. Some internet based CE courses are