As a nurse, it is my responsibility to remain competent in my field. I can do this by staying current on the latest research and practice methods, reading educational articles from respected publications, as well as attending continuing education courses provided by my hospital or other organizations. Another way to stay competent is to be open-minded to new ways of doing things that may be more effective than the original way I was taught. I can also be willing to learn new skills from others and always remember that I don't know everything: there is always something someone can teach me. Many people are very reluctant to learn new methods of practice, even if they are better and more effective. A nurse with 20 years of experience might actually become a novice or entry-level nurse when her hospital implements a new computer charting system. After 20 years, the nurse is probably quite set in their documentation methods and may be reluctant and nervous about change. With things changing, it's important to keep up. Staying competent and up-to-date with the latest research and developments can reduce the risk of liability and malpractice. For example, if a new nurse is unsure about something, she should not take it upon herself to "work it out", she should first check with the hospital policy on the subject and then ask a more experienced nurse to