By 3. Possess skills that are in demand
“Nurses have a better chance of being employable throughout their careers if they stay abreast of healthcare trends and can respond to those trends by expanding their skills,” says Amy Bernard, RN, Director of Continuing Education at Western Schools, a nationally accredited online provider of continuing education for healthcare professionals. “While certification demonstrates expertise, it won’t help if those skills are no longer needed.”
Bernard cites several trends that should motivate nurses to expand their skills. “For example, the number of surgical cases is shifting from acute care hospitals to ambulatory care settings,” she says. “Acute care nurses who have never worked in an ambulatory setting may be at a disadvantage over nurses with broader backgrounds and experiences.”
The growth of the geriatric population is another trend. “As baby boomers transition into older adults, the number of older adults requiring healthcare in 2030 is expected to double to 72 million and represent almost 20 percent of the total population in the U.S.,” Bernard points out, advising that now is the time for nurses to take continuing education in this area so they’ll be ready for the inevitable demand for geriatric nurses.
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