Distance Learning Tips for Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
The AANPconnect online conference experience continues through December 31, 2020 — making now the perfect time to catch up on your NP continuing education (CE) from the comfort of your home!
The COVID-19 pandemic has made an impact on almost every aspect of our lives, including how we access evidence-based education, how we communicate with each other and how we care for patients. The health care field is changing rapidly, which is why it’s so important that you continue learning and improving in clinical practice. Developed by NPs for NPs, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) CE program provides exemplary educational experiences for NPs and NP students.
This year, AANP is pleased to present AANPconnect, an online conference experience that preserves many of the conference activities attendees have enjoyed from AANP’s national conferences and safely allows you to earn CE and develop personal connections while remaining socially distanced. That said, how can you ensure you are making the most of your distance learning and achieve a successful online educational experience?
NP Distance Learning: Tips and Tricks
First, you will want to set the scene for learning. If possible, set up a designated workspace, preferably somewhere quiet where distractions will be limited. In addition, uninstall disruptive mobile apps, turn off app notifications on your mobile devices or resist the temptation to play mobile games, check email, send a text or surf the internet during your study time. Be sure to consider your own comfort, as well, by adjusting your seating, keyboard, computer mouse or computer screen and by ensuring proper lighting to reduce eye strain.
Second, you will want to be sure to read and follow all the instructions for your CE activities and conference sessions. As we’ve shifted to online learning, please be aware that some processes may have changed, such as how to claim AANP CE credit. Set yourself up for success with AANPconnect by:
- Viewing the live events, either when they’re presented or when they’re available on demand. To recreate the excitement of live CE sessions, AANPconnect includes a number of special events and keynote speeches presented on select dates throughout the conference period. All of these events will be made available on demand approximately 48 to 72 business hours after the initial presentation date. Don’t forget: You can register for the on-demand versions of these events at any time throughout the remainder of the conference period.
- Receiving full credit for each conference session. To get full CE credit, you must register for the sessions that you are interested in completing. For the on-demand sessions, you must watch all the video content to receive credit. For the live events, you must be present for the entirety of the presentation when it is being offered, or you must watch all the recorded content once it becomes available.
- Receiving your certificate for each conference session. After you complete all educational content for a specific session or live event, you must complete the posttest and pass with a score of at least 70%. You will have four attempts to pass the posttest. Next, submit the session evaluation to receive full CE and pharmacology credit. To receive your activity certificate of completion, click on the button labeled Get Certificate. A copy of the certificate will be emailed to you and a record will be automatically uploaded to your CE Tracker in the AANP CE Center within 1 hour of completion.
Third, you will want to manage your time effectively. Unlike AANP’s national conference each year, most AANPconnect sessions are available on demand, without a set presentation time. This offers incredible flexibility for you, particularly if you are juggling childcare, household duties, work requirements or other obligations. However, there is still what can be considered a “due date,” as the AANPconnect conference platform closes on December 31, 2020.
Set realistic expectations for yourself in terms of what you can accomplish. Factor in scheduling conflicts to allow enough time for you to view your sessions and earn CE credit. It may help for you to create a calendar alert to remind yourself of the live events and schedule time for on-demand sessions, to read posts in the Attendee Forum and to learn more about ongoing AANP initiatives and programs.
Lastly, you will want to get engaged and be an active attendee! There are several ways you can actively participate in AANPconnect:
- Check in frequently to register for the upcoming live events. There are a limited number of product theaters — non-CE, educational presentations that are funded by the supporting or sponsoring company — still to come during the conference period. In addition, plan to log in on November 7 at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) to hear from AANP Vice President of Federal Government Affairs MaryAnne Sapio and AANP Vice President of State Government Affairs Taynin Kopanos, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP, for the AANP Legislative Update.
- Engage with other conference attendees. Everyone who registers for AANPconnect is automatically invited to join the Attendee Forum. This is your dedicated space to discuss the conference sessions you’ve enjoyed, share what you’ve learned, introduce yourself to NPs from across the country and ask questions to enhance your learning experience. Are you an NP student or post-master’s student? You will also have exclusive access to a special Student Forum, where you can meet practicing NPs, learn from NP leaders and build your network to support your future prospects. Post as often as you like, and return frequently to check replies and join other discussion threads.
- Read the monthly attendee newsletter. Upcoming live events, special CE topics, spotlights on conference exhibitors and membership information is included in each edition of the AANPconnect attendee newsletter. If you’re registered, be sure to read the next few newsletters for important information as we approach December!
Are You Not Yet Registered for AANPconnect?
Register today, and you can earn up to 72.84 contact hours of CE credit*, including 33.23 pharmacology — completely online. See the complete list of sessions and start planning your live events.
Are you already registered? See what else awaits you in the AANPconnect conference platform — including resources exclusively for NP students, posters showcasing the latest research, a celebration of 2020 as Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, recognition for award winners and information about AANP partner organizations and sponsors.
Following AANP on social media is a great way to connect with other NPs and industry professionals, to stay current with the latest health care news and to receive conference announcements — and to share how you are enjoying AANPconnect!
Are you earning CE from your hammock? Are you on a boat or by the pool? What are you enjoying most about your online conference experience? Post a photo on social media using #AANPconnect and tag @AANP_News on Twitter or Instagram to share your unique or interesting conference surroundings with colleagues.