On-line learning opens doors

In this new age of nursing, nurses and nurse specialists who wish to remain current in their knowledge and advance their degrees are looking at new technologically superior resources such as on-line learning to advance their knowledge.  Nurses today must be able to manage information technology and technology that advances equipment and resources on one hand, paired with advanced critical thinking skills to use in patient care.  With a shortage of nurses, many nurses are unable to spend time away in the clinical setting to update knowledge and skills, so on-line learning that is accessible, affordable and flexible is a boon to nurses.  But is knowledge learned on-line as effective and integrated as what is learned through more traditional methods - in classrooms and at the bedside? 

This article explores the idea that traditional learning in the classroom may not be as up-to-date and current as knowledge accessed from the Internet, or programs developed on-line where learners are required to research and provide answers.  (Much like the present class that I am taking on technology in nursing!)  On-line learning moves the educator into a role of facilitating learning, not the sage in front of the classroom.  Personally I feel that this type of learning is truly remarkable.  The dialogue between classmates regarding various practices with the instructor bringing the every day subjects back to the realm of education has been inspiring to me.  I feel that we can truly learn best from our peers and from sharing experiences, which is supported by the article.  Students learn the best and assimilate that knowledge when they can find their own "teachable" moments and can work at their own pace.  If a goal is set in mind and the student is encouraged to reach that goal, they can truly be in charge of how to learn, with resources provided.  What forward thinking!! 

Nurses critical thinking skills are put to the test every moment of the day.  This type of teaching allows them to further practice their judgment and critical thinking skills and promotes conceptual changes in their care of patients and in the way that they utilize the knowledge that they have.  Something that is now explored in the article, but of curiosity to me is the concept that as more nurses advance their education in post-graduate study, does that influence the practices of those nurses around them?  I know that I am excited by information that I learn in class, and share some ideas with my fellow nurses, hoping to influence their ideas and practices.  Might be something that I look into further!


Bromley, P. (2010). Online learning: anywhere anytime education for specialist nurse, Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing 13(3), 2-6.