Nursing

Lifelong Learning in Nursing: What It Is and How a BSN Can Help

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jan 15, 2025

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Lifelong Learning in Nursing: What It Is and How a BSN Can Help

In the always-changing world of health care, lifelong learning is a much-needed part of a nurse’s professional journey. Nursing success extends beyond clinical skills — it requires a comprehensive understanding of emerging health care technologies and evolving health care systems.

Successful nurses seek continuing education (CE) resources, training, and opportunities designed to deepen their competency, efficacy, and scope of practice. Explore how lifelong learning in nursing is relevant to nurses at every stage of their careers. Staying informed about developments within the nursing profession fosters personal and professional growth.

For many nurses, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the first step toward a commitment to lifelong learning. A BSN not only provides essential clinical and leadership skills but also positions nurses to specialize further and qualify for higher-paying leadership and clinical roles. Advanced degrees build on the BSN foundation, enabling nurses to expand their expertise and take on roles that shape patient care, influence policy, and lead health care teams effectively.

What Is Lifelong Learning in Nursing?

Lifelong learning in nursing is an ongoing process. It involves acquiring skills, staying updated on medical advancements, and refining practices to provide top-notch patient care based on best practices. Through formal education, certifications, or hands-on experience, lifelong learning ensures that nurses remain confidently competent in their roles.

For nurses, lifelong learning is about not only meeting industry standards but also fostering a professional ethos of adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to nursing excellence. It emphasizes continuous improvement, ensuring that health care professionals are always prepared to meet the changing patient and industry needs.

Why Lifelong Learning in Nursing Matters

The dynamic nature of health care makes lifelong learning essential. Medical innovations, emerging diseases, and evolving patient needs require nurses to stay informed and sometimes reskill.

An example of when nurses needed to reskill was during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic surged, many nurses had to acquire skills to respond to rapidly changing health care demands. With the rise of telemedicine, many nurses had to learn how to deliver care remotely. This involved becoming proficient in using telehealth platforms, managing virtual patient interactions, and providing guidance on managing symptoms at home.

Additionally, many nurses not initially trained in critical care had to quickly develop skills to manage ventilators, monitor patients with severe respiratory distress, and work in intensive care units (ICUs). Nurses also needed to master enhanced infection control protocols, including mastering the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), minimizing contamination risks, and implementing strict isolation procedures. As these examples show, lifelong learning enables nurses to remain competent, adopt evidence-based practices, and deliver high-quality care — no matter the circumstances.

Regulatory and licensing bodies also emphasize the importance of ongoing education. Many states and organizations require nurses to complete CE credits to maintain their licensure. Beyond compliance, lifelong learning empowers nurses to take ownership of their professional growth, ensuring they remain valuable contributors to their teams and the broader health care community.

Examples of Lifelong Learning in Nursing

Nursing professional development can take various forms, enabling nurses to tailor their educational journeys to their interests and career goals.

Common ways that nurses engage in lifelong learning include pursuing specialized certifications, gaining an advanced degree, or taking courses through digital nursing platforms.

Specialized Certifications

Specialized nursing certifications in the U.S. enable registered nurses (RNs) to demonstrate expertise in specific areas of health care, enhancing their professional development and improving patient care.

Certifications can range from the care of a specific population based on age (such as pediatrics or adult gerontology), disease (such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS), or health care delivery settings (such as correctional health facilities, air medical transport, or dialysis facilities).

Here are just a few of the many nursing certifications available in the U.S.:

Nurse Executive Board Certified: The NE-BC credential is a specialty credential that’s awarded to nurses who successfully pass the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive board certification exam. The exam evaluates the foundational knowledge and skills required for nurses who have leadership roles within units, teams, service lines, departments, or programs.
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Board Certified: The ENP-BC credential is an ANCC credential that recognizes expertise in emergency nursing, validating skills in emergency care. For professionals working as emergency nurses, even more specialized certifications are available, such as the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) credential offered by the Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
Certified Correctional Health Professional: The CCHP credential is offered by the National Commission of Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). Correctional health care refers to the delivery of medical, mental health, dental, and wellness services to individuals who are incarcerated in correctional facilities, such as jails, prisons, and detention centers.
Nursing Informatics-Board Certified: The NI-BC credential is a specialty credential designed for RNs in the informatics field. This ANCC certification is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

As these examples illustrate, many organizations offer nursing credentials in the U.S. Nurses and prospective nurses should look into the requirements set according to their state board of nursing and their workplace. CE may need to be approved or accredited by one or more of the following:

ANCC’s Commission on Accreditation: ANCC’s Commission on Accreditation is the credentialing body of the American Nurses Association. ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), offers accreditation for continuing nursing education programs.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: AACN provides resources and certifications for critical care nurses, including CE opportunities.
State Boards of Nursing: Each state has a board of nursing responsible for licensing and regulating nursing practice, including approval of CE programs. Find information about a specific state’s board of nursing by visiting the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website.

Graduate Education

Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree may qualify nurse professionals for leadership and advanced clinical roles.

Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) equips nurses with the advanced skills and expertise to succeed in specialized roles. Through comprehensive coursework, MSN programs prepare nurses to influence health care policy, guide patient care teams, and spearhead innovation in various health care environments. Such graduate programs offer different specializations, enabling RNs to advance their careers in focused clinical fields.

Nurses can enter MSN programs with different backgrounds or experience levels. Nurses who have earned their BSN degree can enroll in a traditional or online MSN program. Nurses with RN licenses who have not completed a BSN can also choose to pursue an RN to MSN pathway program, which helps them earn their BSN and MSN together.

Digital Learning Platforms

Online courses and webinars offer flexible options to stay current with medical advancements. Attending seminars and workshops online can provide insight into new practices, technologies, and trends. These opportunities enable nurses to expand their knowledge and stay competitive.

Platforms cater to different aspects of nursing education, from foundational knowledge to specialized certifications, and are valuable resources for both current practitioners and those pursuing a nursing career.

Here are some notable platforms tailored for nursing professionals:

ANA: ANA offers a comprehensive suite of CE opportunities tailored for nursing professionals. These programs are designed to enhance clinical skills, support career advancement, and ensure compliance with certification and licensure requirements. The CE activities are accredited by ANCC, ensuring that they meet high standards of quality and relevance.
AACN: AACN offers a selection of free CE activities designed to help nurses stay current with evidence-based practices in acute and critical care. These resources aim to enhance patient outcomes and support nurses in their professional development.
American Psychiatric Nurses Association: APNA offers a comprehensive suite of CE programs tailored for psychiatric-mental health nurses. These programs are designed to enhance clinical competencies, support professional development, and ensure adherence to certification and licensure requirements. The APNA eLearning Center is a platform that provides online CE courses, including session archives from previous APNA conferences, live webinars, and on-demand content.
ONCC: ONCC provides a range of CE resources, including webinars, articles, and courses, covering topics such as treatment modalities, symptom management, and professional best practices. The resources are designed to support oncology nurses in maintaining their certifications and advancing their professional knowledge.

Career Opportunities Enhanced by Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning unlocks numerous career paths for nurses. By starting with a BSN and committing to continuous education, nurses can pursue roles such as:

Advanced Practice Nurses

Advanced practice nursing roles require further education, often a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. These roles offer greater autonomy and responsibilities, enabling nurses to specialize in specific areas of care.

While nurse practitioners (NPs) are a popular choice, other rewarding roles include:

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: CRNAs administer anesthesia, monitor patients during procedures, and manage pain. They work in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and private practices, earning a median annual salary of $212,650 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Clinical Nurse Specialist: CNSs are experts in a specific field of nursing (e.g., geriatrics, pediatrics, or oncology). They focus on improving patient outcomes, implementing evidence-based practices, and mentoring nursing staff. Nurses in CNS roles earned an average of $101,230 as of August 2024, according to Payscale.

Leadership Roles

With a BSN and advanced education, nurses can transition into influential leadership positions within health care organizations. These roles involve overseeing staff, managing budgets, and driving organizational improvements.

Nursing leadership roles include the following:

Nurse Manager: Nurse managers are responsible for supervising nursing staff, managing schedules, and ensuring compliance with health care regulations. They play a key role in maintaining the quality of care. Nurse managers earned an average annual salary of $96,740 as of November 2024, according to Payscale.
Chief Nursing Officer: As the highest-ranking nurses in an organization, CNOs develop strategic goals, oversee nursing operations, and collaborate with executives to improve patient care. They earned an average annual salary of $146,920 as of November 2024, according to Payscale.

Each role benefits from foundational skills that a BSN provides and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Current Trends in Nursing Education and Lifelong Learning

The nursing profession is witnessing several trends that underscore the need for ongoing education.

Technological Integration

Nurses must stay proficient in cutting-edge technology. As the medical field evolves, nurse professionals must adapt to it.

Consider some of the ways that technology is integrating into health care today:

Artificial Intelligence Nursing Tools: Emerging AI tools assist nurses in various tasks, including analyzing patient data for early detection of conditions; triaging patients based on symptom severity; and automating administrative duties, such as scheduling and resource allocation.
Smart Infusion Pumps: Smart infusion pumps ensure precise medication administration, reducing human error. Nurses program and monitor these pumps to deliver controlled doses of medication, especially in critical care and surgical settings.
Robotics in Patient Care: Robotic tools are used for tasks such as delivering medication, lifting and transferring patients, and even aiding in surgical procedures. Nurses manage and supervise these robotic systems to enhance patient safety and care efficiency.
Point-of-Care Testing Devices: POCT devices are portable diagnostic tools that enable nurses to perform bedside testing for blood glucose, cardiac enzymes, or infection markers. The tools provide immediate results and accelerate treatment decisions.
Augmented and Virtual Reality in Training: Nursing education increasingly incorporates AR and VR simulations to teach clinical skills, from performing complex procedures to handling emergency scenarios in a risk-free environment.

As shown in these examples, nurses are now expected to learn the ins and outs of online telehealth platforms; electronic health records (EHRs); and emerging AI tools.

Diversity, Cultural Competence, and Equity

Nurses need to learn cultural competence and equity principles to provide high-quality, patient-centered care that respects and responds to the diverse cultural, social, and personal values of their patients. These principles are essential in ensuring equitable health outcomes, reducing health disparities, and fostering trust between patients and health care providers.

By delivering culturally competent and equitable care, nurses help provide the highest standard of care for all their patients. Plus, by integrating cultural competence and equity principles into practice, nurses can contribute to a more just and inclusive health care system.

Patient-Centered Care Models

Patient-centered care models are critically important for the CE of nurses because they emphasize providing care that respects and responds to the individual preferences, needs, and values of patients. These models prioritize collaboration, empathy, and holistic care, aligning with the evolving health care landscape and the diverse needs of patients.

CE can take the form of growing one’s nursing skill set to better care for a wider range of patients or to support patient populations across different medical contexts (such as hospital care vs. home care).

These trends highlight the importance of adaptability and innovation in nursing practice.

Skills Needed for Effective Lifelong Learning in Nursing

To fully embrace lifelong learning, nurses must develop certain key skills:

Adaptability: The ability to embrace new challenges and technologies is essential to lifelong learning, including lifelong learning in nursing.
Time Management: Balancing work, personal life, and education requires strong organizational skills. Nurses who are reskilling and upskilling must be able to manage their time effectively.
Collaboration: Engaging with peers and mentors fosters a supportive learning environment. Collaboration is crucial for lifelong learning in nursing because it requires teamwork, communication, and trust.
Digital Fluency: Navigating online courses and learning platforms is increasingly important in nursing education. Digital fluency enables nurses to navigate electronic health systems, learn how to use new digital systems for health recordkeeping and patient care tracking, and continually learn from and apply cutting-edge nursing research.

These skills ensure that nurses can effectively pursue and benefit from lifelong learning opportunities.

The Role of a BSN in Supporting Lifelong Learning

A BSN fosters lifelong learning. This degree goes beyond basic clinical training, equipping nurses with a deep understanding of health care systems, evidence-based practices, and leadership skills. The BSN curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, research, and advanced communication — skills that form the backbone of lifelong learning.

Earning a BSN also prepares nurses for future opportunities in specialized fields or leadership roles. For example, many advanced practice programs, such as nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist roles, require a BSN as a prerequisite. By starting with a BSN, nurses build a strong foundation for further education and professional growth.

Tips for Implementing Lifelong Learning as a Nurse

For nurses ready to embrace lifelong learning, here are some actionable tips:

Start with a BSN. Build a strong foundation by earning a BSN, which prepares you for advanced learning opportunities.
Set professional goals. Identify areas of interest or specialization, and pursue relevant certifications or degrees.
Stay informed. Follow industry news and join professional organizations to keep up with trends.
Use employer resources. Many health care organizations offer tuition reimbursement or in-house training programs.
Create a learning schedule. Dedicate regular time to education, whether through reading, taking online courses, or attending events.

These steps can help nurses integrate lifelong learning into their professional routines.

Advance Your Nursing Career

Lifelong learning is a cornerstone of nursing, ensuring that professionals remain prepared to meet the challenges of a dynamic health care environment. A BSN serves as a crucial first step in this journey, providing nurses with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed for continuous growth.

By committing to lifelong learning, nurses not only enhance their careers but also contribute to advancing patient care and the nursing profession as a whole. The University of Tulsa’s online MSN and RN to MSN programs enable you to build on that success through a core curriculum emphasizing the three Ps: pathophysiology, health promotion, and pharmacology.

At TU, you’ll receive personalized support from experienced faculty who understand your goals and help you achieve them. Graduates of the RN to BSN program or the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program receive priority admission into the online MSN.

Seize the opportunity at TU. Apply now to advance your nursing career.

Recommended Readings

Community Nursing: Roles and Impact

Nursing Manager: Salary and Job Description

Nursing Professional Development: Opportunities for BSN Graduates

Sources:

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Free Continuing Education Nurse Activities

American Nurses Association, How Technology Is Changing the Nursing Industry

American Nurses Credentialing Center, Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification (ENP-BC)

American Psychiatric Nursing Association, APNA eLearning Center

Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing, Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse