Continuing Education For Nurses
Continuing education is a great way to stay on top of developments in nursing, expand your knowledge base, and enhance your career. Most states require that nurses obtain CE on a regular basis in order to keep their licenses in good standing. Check with your state board of nursing for more information. These courses are available in a variety of formats.
In order to receive credits, you must take courses that are relevant to your practice as a nurse. This includes science, technology, and direct patient care. You should also check the Free CEUs for Nurses number of the provider, because courses with expired CEP numbers do not qualify for contact hours. Further, it is important to make sure the course or seminar you take has the correct CEU number.
Nurses must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education every two years. If you’re not sure which courses to take, check your state’s board’s website. You can also check the website of your state’s nursing association to see what courses they offer. Many nursing journals and professional associations will list CNE offerings. Lastly, the internet has a wealth of options. Make sure any course or activity you participate in has CNE contact hours before submitting your application for renewal.
Types of Continuing Education For Nurses
In addition to the courses that you take, you must also complete content specific training. You will need to complete at least two of these courses every two years to renew your license in the state of your license. Some states require additional hours of CNE in order to maintain your RN license. Continuing education is required for registered nurses in Florida.
You will also need to keep records of any CNE courses that you take. Depending on your license status, you may need to submit these records after two to three license renewal periods. You should also check with your state board of nursing about the recordkeeping requirements. If you are a registered nurse in California, for example, you must keep your certificates for four years.
Continuing education courses cover many different topics. Some are clinical or skills-based, while others deal with “soft” skills such as communication and emotional intelligence. Some may even include topics such as LGBTQ healthcare, death, and patient privacy. Ultimately, they can enhance your professional knowledge and increase your chances of a promotion or advanced nursing position. It can even boost your personal satisfaction.
Nurses can also take courses related to the physical and social sciences. There are also courses dedicated to child and abnormal psychology. Some advanced programs also focus on recent scientific discoveries and their applications to patient care. Advanced courses may also focus on audiology or advanced life support. If you want to stay on top of the latest advancements, consider taking a few advanced nursing courses.
Nurses can gain additional knowledge by completing online programs. Capella University offers CCNE-accredited programs, as well as FlexPath and Purdue Global. These programs are affordable and provide an efficient path to a degree. Another option is Walden University, which has been helping students get their degrees for more than 40 years. Their online programs are rigorously developed, and many of the instructors are doctorates.