Lifelong Learning Beyond School - “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses…we must be learning all our lives.”  -  Florence Nightingale

Lifelong Learning Learning how to learn Activated knowledge is a key to lifelong learning Actively using information that is true and when understood leads to more and more knowledge. Seek knowledge that can guide your thinking to further knowledge. Seek first principles. Seek basic laws and theories. Seek fundamental ideas. Use them as guideposts in learning. (Elder & Paul, 2011) Discuss active learning vs. passive learning. Discuss the importance of challenging opinions and assumptions; searching for facts. Be curious. Discuss: Using the foundational knowledge they gained in prereq courses, for ex. Maslow’s, etc. Fundamental law – gasses rise (air bubble in syringe, air bubble in right atrium). Other basic laws learned in chemistry, etc.

Importance to Nursing Things change rapidly Nurses must adapt Nurses must be innovative Nurses must translate knowledge into action Nurses must translate evidence into practice “The concept of evidence-based practice is dependent upon synthesizing evidence from the variety of sources and applying it appropriately to the care needs of populations and individuals” (Benner, et al., 2013, p. 12). Discuss: How rapidly things change in nursing and how we must be up-to-date to care for our patients. How we apply the knowledge we learn in class AND textbooks (etc.) with our patients in clinical settings. Might talk about Patricia Benner a little.

Control Change is Inevitable Growth is Intentional Self explanatory. More detail on next slides.

Change is Inevitable People Science Research Disease processes Medications Treatment plans Policies Healthcare system Medical Technology Highlight some of these “items” in terms of how quickly they change and how nurses must respond as well as change.

Growth is Intentional Grow in knowledge and skills to: Care for our patients safely Empower patients and families Create policies to enhance access to care Grow our discipline/profession Grow as a professional Live in an ever-changing world Achieve self-actualization Learning is about growing. Learning is a positive experience-it’s what exercises the mind muscles (Weimer, M. 2014. Taking a look at the effective lifelong learning inventory, Faculty Focus 4/2/2014) Nurses employ LLL to accomplish the items on the list. Discuss items that are relevant to your student population. Growth is intentional: Identify what you need to know and be intentional about gathering the resources you need to learn. Be intentional about the direction you want your career to take. Be intentional in life. What is it you want? What is it you need?

Becoming a lifelong learning can be a reality! Learning how to Learn Becoming a lifelong learning can be a reality! Learning how to learn as opposed to learning information Three ways to take in information: In a way that it is meaningless to us, In a misleading way, and In a way that leads us to important knowledge through which we can acquire knowledge and insight (Paul & Elder, 2011) Discover and process new information in new ways Discover models and resources that work best for you Discuss individual learning styles within the group. How do they learn? How do they apply what they learn? What resources work best for them? Have them share resources/ideas to help one another. Meaningless – reading and not focusing, reading and not understanding Misleading – internet sites that are not credible Gaining important knowledge – knowing what resources are credible and which resources meet my learning needs

Critical thinking is critical in life and in nursing! How to Think Critically and Learn Anything Click here for video Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing “Critical thinking underlies independent and interdependent decision making. Critical thinking includes questioning, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, inference, inductive and deductive reasoning, intuition, application, and creativity” (Benner et al., 2013, p. 9). Discuss the importance of critical thinking and how it leads to clinical reasoning. The youtube talks about “what are you passionate about?” and how do you learn more about it. Are the students passionate about nursing and are they studying in order to become really good nurses….not mediocre nurses. They can use this youtube to help their children become critical thinkers. We want students/families/faculty to become critically thinking citizens. How do you decide who to vote for? What do you do to decide what expensive items to purchase? Or a house? Examples of how to analyze information to make the best decisions?

Clinical Reasoning Critical Thinking leads to…Clinical Reasoning “…we think for a purpose within a point of view based on assumptions leading to implications and consequences. We use concepts, ideas and theories to interpret data, facts, and experiences in order to answer questions, solve problems, and resolve issues (Elder & Paul, 2011).” Clinical Reasoning in Nursing “…requires practical ability to discern the relevance of the evidence behind general scientific and technical knowledge and how it applies to a particular patient (Benner, et al., p.4).” Discuss how we think and make decisions in nursing. Discuss EBP. Use patient cases based on your students’ experiences/knowledge base.

Building Lifelong Learning Skills Practice critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills intentionally. Develop reflective practice Reflect on your learning experiences. What meaning did they have for you today? What meaning did they have for your patients today? What meaning will they have for your future patients? Study to understand and apply, not to memorize. Develop learning habits that will continue throughout your career. Discuss reflection as a means to grow and learn about themselves and about nursing. Be mindful of how they learn. Develop good learning habits that they will continue to use as professionals.

Continue Learning Be an active participant in nursing organizations. Attend conferences and apply what you learned. Read journals and apply what you learned. Participate in research studies. Practice critical thinking skills Continue reflective practice, intentionally. Be intentional about learning! “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses…we must be learning all our lives.”  -  Florence Nightingale Some ways they can continue to develop LLL as professionals. Curiosity is what it’s all about. They must continue to ask questions and explore better ways to care for their patients. Talk about intentionality. Be an active agent of their own learning (Weimer, M., 2014) Nightingale knew that there was always more to learn…

References Benner, P., Shulman, L. S., Sutphen, M., Leonard, V., & Day, L. (2009) Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation (Jossey-Bass/Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. AACN. (2008).Essentials of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. Washington D.C.: Author. Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2010). Clinical reasoning. Tomales, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking Press. Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2011). How to study & learn a discipline using critical thinking concepts & tools. Tomales, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking Press.