Our facility has a wonderful staff development director who is only allowed to keep staff abreast of what the director of nursing allows. Being a self-starter is not encouraged or fostered by top nursing management. The staff development department could be so much better if it were allowed to be.

DEBRA HARMON, RN BSN
Richmond, KY

Our facility gives $1,000 in yearly tuition reimbursement, a one-time $500 bonus for being certified in your unit, and $250 yearly thereafter as long as you keep your certification current for full-time RNs.

MARIA M. LOPEZ, BSN
Lynwood, CA

My facility encourages lifelong learning. I started out there 7 years ago as a CNA, and in that time they have encouraged me. Now I've just graduated with my associate's degree and passed the RN boards.

JO MAUK, RN
Hutchinson, KS

Employees at my facility have the opportunity to take advantage of various scholarships, and the tuition reimbursement program as encouragement to continue lifelong learning and education. Additionally, we receive new product inservicing and are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education yearly by attending educational offerings given throughout the facility, or online via our Employee Education System; and by completing yearly, mandatory training on topics such as administration of blood and blood products, hazardous materials handling, patient safety, and so forth. Additionally, three years ago, I completed my BSN degree with financial assistance from our National Nursing Education Initiative scholarship program.

TRUDI R. KILLINGS
Cleveland, OH

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What do you wish you had been taught innursing school, but weren't?

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