Nurse Resources

5 Great Resources for Nurses

The paths that people take toward becoming a nurse can be unique on a case by case basis, depending on the exact nursing position one is looking to attain. Some nursing positions require a bachelor's degree and registered nurse certification. Others need a certain number of hours in the field before being officially titled. Some positions require that entrants earn a master's degree or doctorate degree from a program specifically designed for their career. Finally, there are a number of certifications and credentials that some must acquire in order to advance in their field.

Regardless of the path a nurse takes to get to their current position, it's also important that they continue upon that path. There are resources available to them to ensure that they remain the best nurse they can be. Here are five such resources:

1)      Continuing Education: While it may have seemed to some nurses that they learned everything there was to know in their first stint through school, there's always more information to be absorbed.  Many universities across the nation offer continuing education programs specifically designed for nurses. For example, Drexel University Online offers six programs in continuing education. Perianesthesia Certification Review is a review course for nurses planning to sit for the CPAN (Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse) certification exam and the CAPA (Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse) exam.

Review for Certification: CNE is a review course for nurses planning to sit for the CNE (Certified Nurse Educator) exam. Certificate in Simulation provides training in simulation using both the human patient simulator and the standardized patient. Certificate in Nursing Education provides education for nurses working in a faculty role or those interested in a future faculty role. Nursing Informatics: Review for Certification prepares nurses to sit for the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) Informatics Nurse Certification exam.

2)      Nursing Organizations: Every state nursing association, every nursing specialty, and nearly every state board of licensure has a website with information on licensure, certification, local and national legislative issues, continuing education offerings, and more. Memberships are usually either free or low cost, and nurses who aren't involved can miss out on great networking opportunities, as well as pools of resources. Nurse.org provides a comprehensive list of many of these organizations.

3)      Product Websites: Specific manufacturer websites are usually the best place to go for information on a certain product. Every product available should have a website that includes tutorials on how to use the product, media reports about the product, and contact information to order the product.

4)      CareerBuilder: For nurses in search of a new job in the field, CareerBuilder.com has an entire section of its site dedicated solely to jobs in health care, complete with articles, job profiles and interviews. Within that section, you'll notice that there are currently* over 25,000 nursing jobs available.

5)      Message Boards: Nurses looking for advice on an issue, or even those looking to start up a friendly discussion with their peers, can voice their opinions on nursing message boards. AllNurses.com is a popular board, and there are many others across the Internet.

*Current as of February 2011