your plans for continuing competency

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  1. This is a discussion on your plans for continuing competency in Washington Nursing, part of United States Nursing ... I received my notice to renew RN license in the mail a few weeks ago with a note at the top stating...

    by Dec 2, '10
    I received my notice to renew RN license in the mail a few weeks ago with a note at the top stating that, starting on your renewal date in 2011, you have 3 years to complete 531 practice hours and 45 hours of continuing competency.

    I do think this is a good idea. I was actually surprised when I moved to WA that there were no continuing ed requirements. The practice hours shoudn't be a problem for most, but I am wondering about the continuing ed... I assume things like ACLS (ACLS recert maybe?) would all qualify for education, but even that only goes so far. My hospital does have the odd inservice but I rarely attend since I work night shift (they usually have them in the middle of the afternoon) and my commute to work is 1 hour each way and I'm not about to drive 2 hours to work on my day off when I don't get paid.

    I looked on the DOH website and some of their suggestions include nursing research/having your work published (no thanks) as well as "independent study". I'm sure it will end up being less of a hassle than I am currently anticipating. Even though I still have 3 years starting in Jan, I would like to get a jump on things now.. I am a terrible procrastinator and I know that if I at least start thinking about this soon, I will be better off for it.

    So what plans do the allnurses of WA have for continuing competency
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    by nedlloyd Dec 2, '10 10:23 pm
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  3. 3 Comments so far...

  4. Dec 6, '10 by
    I have my CCRN which requires 100 CE every 3 years, so I'm covered.
    lindarn likes this.
  5. Dec 9, '10 by
    But what do you do to get those hours?

    DC ED NOC RN
    Abbreviations R Us
  6. Mar 21, '11 by
    There is an online video at Children's website about continuing competencies if anyone has questions. Basically anything related to improving your nursing knowlegde is ok. The speaker gives this analogy - you could take a nursing book and read it every night for 45 hours and technically this would cover your 45 hours. He is not recommending this , but we are on our honor with this recommendation.

    I am going to be keeping a notebook with my information. I am a school nurse right now and go to several conferences a year. There are lots of videos and webinars etc online for nurses too. Our national organization has bunches of them, and I would assume the WSNA and other specialty field associations do too. Lots of potential hours out there if you look.
    lindarn likes this.