In this assignment

In this assignment, I will be discussing the importance of both lifelong learning, and the ability to use evidence/research-based practice in my professional development as nurse. To do this, I will be looking at lifelong learning separately and evidence/research-based practice separately. In addition to this assignment, I will be asking three questions for both lifelong learning and evidence/research-based practice. Therefore, I will be looking at the so what, why, and what if to support my discussion in relation to the discussion.
Lifelong learning: According to Davis et al. (2014), he defined lifelong learning as a dynamic process that involves both personal and professional life and can be both formal and informal. He went on to say that for the learner to be a lifelong learner, he or she should be able to seek and appreciate new ideas to gain new perspective as in questioning one’s environment, knowledge, skills, and interaction. He also added that lifelong learners have certain characteristics which involves, reflection, questioning, enjoying learning, understanding the dynamic nature of knowledge and engaging in learning by actively seeking learning opportunities. Based on these characteristics, lifelong learners can be able to provide high quality of nursing practice.
Wise-Yoder (2008) as nurses that provide care for patients, they have some accountabilities when it comes to lifelong learning. However, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing stated that lifelong learning is one of the vital aspect for professional practices. Therefore, students that are undertaking undergraduate programs in healthcare are expected to continuously develop their professional development.
Besides the above definitions about lifelong learning in relation to nursing development, Steelman (2014) states that lifelong learning involves both academic education and professional development. However, she also mentions that most of the institutes of medicine tends to focus on the barriers that nurses come across when continuing their academic education, and therefore coalitions are actively repeating itself and moving the various nursing programs, causing transitions between academic programs seamless. She went on to say that managers or directors in the healthcare settings are in positions to speak on behalf of the nurses for tuition reimbursement programs which are available in most health care facilities and can be used as a recruitment and retention tool. Nurse Managers are also in the position to promote continuing academic education by making sure that there are flexibilities in shift for nurses to pursue their degrees. Also, it is the responsibilities of all nurses to ensure that they are continuing their personal and professional growth by seeking opportunities to exercise their leadership skills. The way in which nurses can do this is by networking with nurses that have higher qualifications.
Furthermore, lifelong learning does not only end at degree level but can be achieve through activities like attending conferences or local nursing meetings, reading journals, reviewing evidence-based, working in partnership with researchers to get answer to clinical questions. By doing this, it helps with the professional development (Steelman, 2014).
The importance of conference meetings is that it is an opportunity for continuous learning and inspiration for nurses. It provides various opportunities like presentation, posters and networking. Moreover, by reading journal articles can help with the understanding of evidence-based practices when providing care for patients. In addition, by taking part in an evidence-based practice project or reviewing updates on policy and procedure can help with the development of best nursing practices. Because of evidence failure to guide practice, nurses have a responsibility with working with a nurse researcher to generate the knowledge needed (Steelman, 2014).
In fact, because of the advancement in technology and because of the various changes in the medical field of nursing, nurses need to ensure that they are continuously developing their professional development when providing care or working in the care environment. The reason for this development is because it helps nurses to gain knowledge and skills which also help them to be competent when providing care and support for their patients (Huggins, 2004).
In 2004, Huggins stated that learning and development are both essential aspects of improving quality care within the National Health Service, and for this to happen nurses should be engaging in lifelong learning for maintenance and good practice. As nurses, it is essential that they update their knowledge and skills because of the increasement in technologies in the workplace and changes of work practice is important for evidence-based practice. In contrast to this, nurses must be able to adapt to these changes even though it can be difficult when working in an intensive care environment where patients are seriously ill. Because patients can be terminally ill, they will need some ventilation and a form of monitoring their health. Because of this, invasive cardiac output monitoring techniques are used for invasive pulmonary artery catheters and intensive insulin therapy application are also used. All these changes need knowledge and skills on behalf of carers, nursing and medical for evidence-based patient care.
“Nursing is lifelong learning” (Milne, 2016, para 3). Nursing however is all about lifelong learning because nurses can translate theory into practice which helps them provide effective care for patients. However, one challenge about nursing is the fact that patient’s expectations are very high causing pressures to do more with less. Also, with the changes to finance and the introduction of the role of nursing associates, it is stated that nursing associates helps nurses to spend more time, their knowledge and skills in focusing on their clinical responsibilities which helps them with decision making on patient’s care.