Nursing CE Mandatory
Some states have made continuing education for nurses mandatory. In these states, nurses are required to take a certain number of hours in a specific course, such as Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse. Others have mandated that nurses complete one hour of education in Pain Management. In other states, the number of CE hours is completely up to the nurse. In the United States, a nurse must renew their license every three years.
The requirements for continuing education vary from state to state, but most require nurses to meet a certain number every two years. Continuing education units are intended to improve the quality of care and reduce the risk of legal liability to healthcare institutions. In this article, we’ll explore why nurses should get continuing education units and how they’re earned. Continuing education units are usually free or very inexpensive. Regardless of the cost, continuing education can help nurses meet state requirements and become more valuable members of their communities.
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In addition, new licensees may have exemptions from Nurse CEUs requirements. For example, APRNs must maintain their certification at all times, and if their license is revoked for any reason, they must complete the minimum number of required CEs. In addition to these, there are different requirements for renewal periods. In Colorado, the requirement for continuing education is zero. In Washington, the requirement is 45. The renewal period may be annual, biannual, or triennial.
Why Nurses Should Make Nursing CE Mandatory
CEUs are valuable for RNs and must be state-approved and accredited. These courses must be relevant to their field. General education lessons or general nursing courses do not qualify. Some CEU courses are free, while others require a fee-based subscription or pay-per-course model. CEUs earned through these methods can contribute toward BSN requirements. Some of these courses may even qualify as credit toward a RN’s education requirements.
Continuing education hours are required for RNs who work for a licensed employer. These hours are based on specialization and should be between 5 and 15 hours. Paid internships, however, are allowed if they do not exceed ten hours. For RNs who are working but do not receive pay, this can be an acceptable way to earn nursing CEs. A mandatory requirement for RNs will help ensure that the profession stays relevant.
In addition to these continuing education hours, RNs and LPNs must complete 30 contact hours of approved CE every two years. For LPNs, this means they have a limited number of hours to complete their CE requirements. The only requirement is that the courses must be related to Chapters 4723, 1-23 of the nurse practice code. This is a good rule of thumb for the entire field of nursing. The goal is to maintain a high level of competence for nursing workers, so it is important for nurses to be constantly up-to-date with new developments in the field.