There’s a lot of talk these days about AI taking over jobs. Some say machines will replace humans in almost every profession. But nursing? Not by a long shot. Machines can’t comfort a scared patient, notice subtle changes in vital signs, or hold the hand of a loved one in crisis. Still, staying relevant in 2025 means more than compassion, it means continuous learning.
I’m Ojebode Dorcas Ifeoluwa, and through Fellow Nurses Africa, I’ve explored writing, webinars, speaking engagements, and new skills because I always wanted to grow beyond the ward. RN is just the beginning.
Take Dr Oluwadamilare Akingbade,” The Nurse Researcher “; A Nigerian nurse turned postdoctoral researcher and CEO of the Institute of Nursing Research Nigeria. He developed an award-winning app supporting Nigerian women with breast cancer and mentors the next generation of nurse innovators. Then, there is Nursing with Light who transitioned from the bedside care norms to YouTube, sharing insights on nursing practice, IELTS prep, and relocation for Nigerian nurses.
And AdeFikayo? A Nigerian Nurse who uses TikTok humor and storytelling to address serious nursing issues and spark important conversations, debunking myths about the profession. So, yes! Continuous education today doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can:
- Take online courses on Coursera, Udemy, or WHO’s OpenWHO.
- Attend workshops and certifications e.g BLS, ACLS, Infection Prevention, or specialty trainings.
- Learn from mentors and peers, exchanging practical knowledge.
- Read journals, articles, and research papers to stay ahead of best practices.
- Explore new areas like health tech, public health, research, or writing; turning bedside experience into broader impact.
This isn’t just personal growth, it’s shaping the profession. Nurses who keep learning:
- Set standards.
- Mentor others.
- Drive innovation.
- Influence policy.
Every skill we gain ripples through hospitals, communities, and beyond. Shifts, bills, family, life in general gets busy. But nurses who show up for themselves, even in small ways, are the ones who rise, inside hospitals, across industries, and in life.
AI may advance, but it will never replace the nurse who listens, learns, and leads with compassion. Nursing in 2025 isn’t just compassion; it’s vision, growth, and impact.
To every nurse: keep learning, keep growing, and keep proving that RN is just the beginning. RN is the base and continuous learning is the ladder.
Lifelong learning transforms bedside skills into leadership, influence, and empowerment. Nurses, keep learning. Keep growing, because in few years to come those who embrace knowledge and technology today will be the ones leading and making impacts across the nursing profession and beyond.
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
