Nursing Continuing Education
Nurses need to earn continuing education credits to keep their licenses up to date and to stay on top of industry trends. To keep your license active, you must choose your CE hours carefully. A conference can provide you with new knowledge and skills that you might not otherwise be able to learn. You can also find CE providers accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing CEUs. But it is important to check each state’s rules and requirements before signing up for any CE.
Taking continuing education classes can be a fun way to spend your days off. Some nurses even combine their CE hours with vacations. Some CE providers offer seminars on cruises or tropical getaways. Attending these seminars is a great way to network with other nurses and check out travel nursing opportunities. But be sure to choose a course with ANCC approval and that it’s accepted by your state’s Board of Nursing.
Some states require nurses to take specific courses to maintain their license. In Kentucky, for example, nurses must complete 14 approved contact hours. They can also complete other competency options. This includes taking courses on topics like the Shaken Baby Syndrome and pediatric abuse. These courses are required for nurses licensed on July 15, 2010. They also have until December 31, 2013 to complete the course. Additionally, all nurses must obtain two contact hours in approved HIV/AIDS CE.
Nursing Continuing Education Requirements by State
Continuing education is an essential part of a nurse’s license renewal. For RNs and APRNs, this means completing 80 hours of approved CE every two years. In addition, the renewal process also includes one hour of sexual harassment education. The requirements differ for each state, so it’s important to review them carefully.
Continuing education for nurses is vital to the longevity of your nursing career. In addition to helping you keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the healthcare field, CEUs also help maintain your professional credibility. Many specialty certifications require that nurses complete continuing education courses. Check with your state nursing board to find out which courses are required. Topics that often receive continuing education attention include the current flu pandemic and the coronavirus family. You can also take a course on preventing and treating the flu, as well as diagnosing the virus.
There are many online CEUs available for nurses. The advantage of taking these courses is that you can review them as often as you like. You can also build up a library of courses to use whenever you need a refresher. Online CEUs are convenient and often cost less than their classroom-based counterparts. Furthermore, you can study whenever you want, which is especially helpful for those with hectic schedules. And because you can study alone, you won’t be distracted by family or coworkers, which can be disruptive to your learning.
