Continuing professional education is an important part of staying current with your field in the healthcare industry. It also helps you maintain a competitive edge as you move forward into your career.
But what kind of continuing professional education is right for you? What types of programs are available to fit your needs? How can you find a good program that will help advance your career?
Choosing a continuing professional education program can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips on how to get started on finding a good one that’s perfect for you and your career.
Getting Started
First, you need to know what your goals are. Accomplishing these goals will help narrow down the search for a good program. For example, if your goal is to improve your clinical skills, you might want to look into continuing medical education courses that focus more on clinical skill development. If you’re interested in improving communication skills, then you might want to find a continuing professional development course that focuses on communication skills.
The next step is getting started on finding a good program. The first thing you should do is identify some companies or organizations that offer these kinds of programs. For example, if you work for a hospital in Houston, try searching “continuing professional education” and “Houston” in Google and see what pops up. Next, do some research and find out how many people have gone through the program and what their opinions are about it.
Finding a Program That’s Right for You
First things first, figure out what you want from your continuing education. Do you want to focus on specialization or general knowledge? Do you want to take a few classes or do a whole course? Are you looking for part-time or full-time courses? Do they need to be online or in-class courses?
Once you have a handle on what kind of program you’re interested in, start exploring all the programs that fit with those criteria. This will narrow it down and make it easier to find.
Next, compare prices!Keep in mind that some programs offer scholarships that can help lower the cost of attendance.
Now that you have narrowed it down to a few programs, contact each one and inquire about their application process. What materials are needed (e.g., transcripts) and how long does it take for applications to be processed? What are the deadlines for submitting an application for this program?
Last but not least, make sure the program is accredited by professional organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA). Look up the accreditation status at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about/accreditation_standards/.
Tips For Choosing A Continuing Professional Education Course
The first step to choosing a continuing professional education program is to research what types of courses are out there. There are many types, from ones that give you continuing medical education (CME) credits to others that focus specifically on management or specialized topics.
You should also ask yourself whether continuing professional education will help you advance in your career. If so, then it’s worth the investment in time and money to attend these courses.
Another question to ask yourself is how often you want to attend classes. Some people would like a day-long course once every few months while others might feel more comfortable with a shorter session every month or two.
Finally, think about whether the location of the course will make it convenient for you. If you’re going somewhere far away or have a lot of travel planned, it might not be worth the cost of attending.
Take the time to research different online courses
One of the best ways to find a good continuing professional education program is by researching online courses. Search “Continuing Professional Education” on the internet and see what comes up in Google. You can also search for different sites that offer continuing professional education programs. If you feel overwhelmed by all of the options, start with a few that interest you and narrow it down from there.
Have a clear goal in mind
If you’re not sure what your goals are, it’s hard to know which program would be right for you. Make a list of your top two or three goals and pick one that aligns with those objectives. Maybe you’re looking for general information about your industry, or maybe you want to learn about specific diseases specific to your field. Maybe you want to enter into social media marketing, or maybe you just want to be more well-rounded in your career as a nurse. Find out what your top priorities are and identify which type of program will help you achieve those goals.
Consider looking into a more-hands on course.
If you’re looking for a continuing education program that takes place all year round, consider going to a more-hands-on course. These types of courses are typically offered through universities or community colleges. You will be able to get hands-on experience in your field while still getting the benefits of a class setting.