The use of Web Portals has become increasingly popular in use to exchange information. The portals allow people with common interests to access information that is meaningful to them. Portals have intricate designs, and are able to provide businesses and individuals with benefits that are difficult to measure.
In an effort to enhance educational information access by nurses, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), has developed a nursing portal entitled Nurse One. This nursing portal facilitates access to online CPS (drug book), e-therapeutics texts, electronic medical library, as well as self assessment tools that guide Rn's through their required continuing competencies. With each provincial association in Canada having varied standards for licensing regarding continuing education, the Nurse One portal will prove to be a valuable asset to nurses everywhere. The province of New Brunswick has just formalized a continuing education program for all registered nurses who actively practice nursing in the province. This will require nurses in the province to be accountable for their own continuing education, and encourage those who currently participate in such activities to maintain a record. It is the expectation that those who do not participate in continuing education will be expected to. There are many opportunities locally to participate in ongoing education, everything from small one hour sessions on improvements or changes in current practice, to online journal articles to read and keep abreast of larger issues. The challenges of participating in National Conferences will continue to exists, but with innovative ideas and empowerment, these obstacles can be overcome.
If you are a nurse looking for a different avenue to obtain some education, access the CNA Nurse One website- it is worth it!
