RN Competency Requirements-why so many obstacles?

[OR Dude]

I'd like to renew my NC RN license, but the competency requirements seem ridiculous. Writing a learning plan, which addresses four areas (professional knowledge, collaboration with others, etc.), then addressing these four areas with CEU's or natioinal certification, etc...what's the deal?!!! Why all the obstacles? This is very frustrating, to say the least. NC must have the most, or one of the most, strangest competency requirements for RN license renewal in the nation. To me, it seems, these barriers are designed to limit the number of RNs. I look at all these requirements, and think, "This is ridiculous! This is absolutely ridiculous!" What other areas in the health care profession are subjected to these arcane rules and requirements?

Hey North Carolina Board of Nursing...why all the hurdles and hoops for RNs, especially those who have a BSN degree? Heck, why not just require a thesis every two years, complete with appropriately cited references and research?

And please, don't give me the, "This is to uphold the professional standards" line...that's a joke.

If there's an effort to reform these competency requirements, I'll join the crowd.

Heck, these requirements are so burdensome, the NC board of nursing has to put out a webcast video to help explain how to write this learning plan, etc. to meet these competency requirements. That's ridiculous. I'll bet the NC bon is bombarded with questions on a daily basis.

Maybe they should make more webcasts or post more frequently asked questions on their website.

Or, here's a better idea, reform these competency requirements so you don't have to post a webcast video...make it so that people can read your competency requirements without thinking, "What the frick?"

Hey, if anybody has any suggestions, or thinks maybe I'm just making too much of this, I'd like to know...either way.

Thanks.

[BethCNOR, BSN, RN]

I have been licensed in over 10 states when I worked as a travel nurse. Renewal has always been an issue for a lot of nurses. How many times have you heard someone say, "I need to get 10 more CEU's before I renew my license next month. Any ideas where I can get that many?" It's a sad statement on nursing. We all know we have to get CEU's, yet we postpone it to the last minute. I interpret the NCBON's requirements as to trying to prevent this and actually have nurses "think" about their education. If you're an OR nurse, what does an inservice on decubitus ulcer care have to do with your practice? We want to be recognized as professionals, we need to act like professionals. My interpretation of this is to have you maintain your specialty education. It's kind of like not letting a school of nursing teach a course on auto repair. It just doesn't apply.

The rules have been stated by the BON. If they're not acceptable, start a movement to get them changed. Do the research, present the information. Hey, I think you'd meet the requirements doing that. We all have to pay our bills. I don't see anything in these requirements that would prevent that. If you don't do it, I see you not having a way to pay your bills. I, for one, cannot afford to have my license denied.

Thanks for listening.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

ORDude, with all the energy and time you've spent on this thread, you could have already completed at least 2 free CEUs to apply towards the requirements

[OR Dude]

Thank you for the input.

This has been helpful. Admittedly, I overlooked the refresher course list. Perhaps, I also overlooked other aspects of the NC bon's website regarding their competency requirements. Yet, I still believe the requirements, as posted on the NC bon website, could be written with more clarity. I realize I am the only poster on this thread advocating this stance. However, I believe some, not all, of the sentiments I have expressed, are reflected in the NC bon's recognition that there are people who frequently look for more guidance. Hence, the site's linked question of, "Is there guidance from the Board..."

I defer to other opinions which have been posted on this thread. I've apologized for coming across as argumentative. I've stated I'd like to discuss this with civility. If I seem hostile, again, I apologize. That's not my intent.

As I've stated, maybe the competency requirements can be written more clearly without having to post such a frequently asked question as, "Is there guidance from the Board..." Reading the information put forth by the NC bon, at first glance, does not appear, in my opinion, to be straightforward. I believe the NC bon should re-evaluate this matter.

Sincerely.