I’ve been thinking about how overwhelming continuing education can feel, especially for us new grads just getting our feet wet in the nursing world. It seems like there’s so much out there—online courses, certifications, workshops… and it can be hard to know where to start! I remember feeling that pressure to keep learning while also juggling shifts and life outside of nursing.
One thing that really helped me was setting small, achievable goals. Maybe pick one course that interests you and dedicate just a little time each week to it. It doesn’t have to be anything huge—just something that fits into your schedule. And don’t forget to check if your employer offers any support for continuing education; sometimes they have great resources!
I’m curious what others think about this. How do you all manage continuing education with everything else going on? Any tips or experiences to share?
Totally normal to feel swamped at first. Start by aligning with your unit’s priorities. Ask your educator or charge what’s expected in the first 3–6 months and pick one course at a time. For most new grads, the best ROI is sharpening assessment, documentation, and escalation skills before chasing extra certs. Focus your learning on early change recognition: subtle shifts in respiratory effort, color, perfusion, behavior, feeding tolerance, and pain cues. Pair that with crisp documentation and a clear plan for who you call and when. That combination protects patients and your time. Keep it manageable: schedule a standing 45-minute block once a week, do one CE module or guideline summary, and jot three takeaways you can use on your next shift. Bring one question to huddle or a preceptor. Join case reviews or journal club when you can. What unit are you in, and which early-change cues do you want to feel more confident catching in real time? Start small, be consistent, and let your unit’s needs set the order.