Pro and cons of continuing mandatory education

Relationship to ANA Scope and Standards of Practice

Pros

 

ANA has standards of practices which professional should follow in order to carry out their activities effectively. Through standards of practices, nurses conduct self-assessment and   evaluate the responsibility as well as obligation in nursing practices (Marion et al, 2017). Education will help them understand the cultural assumptions and beliefs. Through self-assessment; nurses will reduce disparities and promote quality health care. ANA education is associated with learning principles which helps in professional development. Professionals understand the public policy and use the policy in developing effective healthcare. By learning about ANA and scopes of standards, nursing will improve nursing practices and increase competence (Marion et al, 2017). Through gaining knowledge from research, nurses will understand the diverse needs and work hard to ensure quality health care.  Education will help the nurses to abide with the preferred values, practices and follow the culturally congruent practice.

Cons

 Even though ANA play a significant role in setting standards of practices, some members may not agree with the standards because they do not participate in creating the education program (Eslamian et al, 2015). The unexpected changes and inappropriate arrangements   lead to low motivation for learning as well as resistance to the set standards of practices. This will have negative effects to the education and the desired requirement will not be achieved.  ANA learning means that nurses should gain new knowledge and skills, and improve their nursing practices. However, there is a bias created between the nurses who demonstrate continued proficiency and those who do not.  Other disadvantage is that   knowledge and skills gained through continuing learning requires resources or new technology. However, resources as well as technology upgrade may be inadequate and this may contribute to lack of development in health care services (Eslamian et al, 2015).  Finally, this kind of learning is not meaningful because majority of participants will have mental absenteeism. This will be caused by the fact that attendees’ viewpoints were not considered hen planning the educational programs.

Relationship to ANA Code of Ethics

Pros

Continuing education on ANA Codes of Ethics help nurses to create compassion and respect when serving the community. By gaining knowledge and skills based on Code of Ethics, nurses protect the rights of human beings and foster safety in offering health care services (Lachman, 2015).  Education in this area reinforces collaboration and unity in reducing health disparities and promoting diplomacy. In addition, nurses show accountability and responsibility in providing optimal care. Continuing education in this area develops professional growth and nursing maintains competence and integrity.

Cons

            Provision two and three create a big challenge to the nurses. Since both focus on nurses’ commitment and protection of human rights, nurses face challenges in dealing with patients and personal issues. They lack time to interact with families as they closely connected with nursing mandatory practices. The Code of Ethics creates an inherent respect to cultural and life rights.  However, it is not easy to care for humanity and for this reason there always an ethical dilemma which contributes to moral distress. This education is meaningless because, nurses are denied the opportunity to create their own decision and to have a sense of doing well in providing health care services (Lachman, 2015). Since the education is mandatory, nurses are expected to show accountability and responsibility in benefitting other even in difficult situation.  In this case, government and managers show downright coercion to nurses. Last, nurses feel defenseless and powerless because they lack support from the management.

My position in CLC group

 Continuing nursing education should be mandatory for all nurses. In 21 century, health care reforms and technical changes are inevitable. For nurses to remain personally capable, cope with change and maintain profession, they need further education (HARDY, 2013). The education is very important as it is associated with professional development. Through experience and research, all nurses will increases competence and offer quality care to the community. Education should be mandatory so that all nurses can understand the codes of ethics and standards of practices to execute in offering health care services. All nurses should gain new knowledge and skills for them to be referred as certified. However, whether certification is important or not, all nurses should have an experience from technical background in order to improve professional competence (HARDY, 2013). All nurses should have interpersonal skills in order to solve problems, reduce disparities and manage risks. Thus, they should all participate so that they can demonstrate professionalism and improve patient outcomes.

 

 

Reference   

Eslamian, J., Moeini, M., & Soleimani, M. (2015). Challenges in nursing continuing education: A

qualitative study. Iranian Journal Of Nursing & Midwifery Research, 20(3), 378-386.

 

Marion, L., Douglas, M. (., Lavin, M. A., Barr, N., Gazaway, S., Thomas, E. (., & Bickford, C. (2017).

Implementing the New ANA Standard 8: Culturally Congruent Practice. Online Journal Of Issues

In Nursing, 22(1), 1. doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol22No01PPT20

 

Lachman, V. D. (2015). The New 'Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretative Statements' (2015):

Practical Clinical Application, Part II. MEDSURG Nursing, 24(5), 363-368.

 

HARDY, J. (2013). Continuing Education: The Workplace Necessity. Business In Calgary, 23(12), 41.