Continuing education requirements...

[CamillaG]

I'm curious to learn more about how nurses around the World receive their continuing education and the requirements they need to meet every year. For example, in my hospital we're pretty much self governed and receive some education through our educator and the rest we find online, conferences or through journals. We'll check a couple boxes that say we've done our continuing education and it's basically on the honour system. I've never head of anyone being audited but it happens. I am an RN in a NICU ward in British Columbia.

So to indulge my random poll, In your part of the World, what type of continuing education hours are you required to obtain each year for your specialty. Also how do you obtain those hours? Do you have to submit proof?

[klone, MSN, RN]

It depends completely on the individual state. I've worked as an RN in both AZ and Colorado, and neither of those states require CEUs, you just have to cough up the money to renew your license every two years.

For my specialty certification, I need to renew every 5 years, and you have the option of continuing education or retaking the certification exam. I just opt for retaking the exam, as it's less expensive and easier for me.

[JBudd, MSN]

I do about half of them online, ENA has some really great stuff for free for members. Also medscape.com, bunches of 15 and 30 minute bits (that printout was really long!). Others are through work, we recently had to do a really in depth triage course, that gave us 17 CEUs, and got paid workshop time to go online and do it. Unfortunately, most of the renewal credentials I have to do are no longer given CEUs for recerts (ACLS, etc.)

Once in a while I go to conferences if they are nearby enough.

[kiszi, RN]

In Ohio I had to attest to completing CEUs at renewal time, and I got most of them through work or for free online. I was audited once in 7 years, thankfully I was up to date on everything.

In NC you randomly get asked for proof of CEUs to be submitted before you can renew. No audits after the fact as far as I know. Here I believe its 30 hours you need, but employment can be used for 15 of those. Again, many offerings through work and free stuff online. I have never paid for any CEUs.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Texas requires 20 hours q 2 years, in your area of practice. You have the choice of remaining certified in your area of practice as they assume you are getting CNE to stay certified. My hospital provides loads of free CNE thru subscription services online. I also get hours thru professional organizations. Some vendors provide them, like Baxter and Medline. Read your nurse practice act to be sure your choice meets the approved criteria. Never assume you will not be audited.

[firstinfamily, RN]

Currently working in MD where there are no required annual CEUs, kind of disappointed in this. I would get CEUs for my own satisfaction thorough journal articles which required a payment, medscape has lots of learning opportunities, attending a seminar when it was close by (they always usually have CEUs.) There is more available on line than ever before, so it seems that would be a convenient way to obtain them. Careful of the costs as it seems to vary widely. Hope this helps. The one LTC facility I worked subscribed to an educational program where we did our CEUs on line for no cost.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

We get plenty at work. We have 4 trauma conferences a year that we pay for, but we get paid to be there. I have enough hours for years.