Brand new nurse- can you explain license??

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Hello. I am happy to report I just passed boards, and I am truly now a Registered Nurse!! Hooray!

I see on my license that it expires Oct. 2010. What does that mean actually?? Do I just pay and renew?? Do I have to take refresher courses to renew? I am new to this and not sure what it means by having an expiration date.

Much thanks! Epona, RN :nurse: :p

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Specializes in Acute Care.

Depends on your state's BON regulations.

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Specializes in IMCU.

You should be able to check your (BON) Board of Nursing's website.

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I'm very surprised this wasn't covered in school. I'm also surprised you would ask here instead going to your state board website. Always go to the source.

Congratulations, btw!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Some state BONs (boards of nursing) have mandated that all licensees must complete a predetermined number of CEUs (continuing education units) between each licensure renewal. States with a CEU requirement will usually allow the licensee to renew the very first time without having completed any CEUs. However, all subsequent licensure renewals will be subject to the CEU requirement.

Again, not all states have a CEU requirement, but most do.

For example, I am licensed in 3 different states (California, Texas, and Oklahoma). Oklahoma has no CEU requirements, so I simply pay the renewal fees. California mandates that I complete 30 CEUs between every renewal period, and Texas requires that I complete 20 CEUs between each renewal time frame. In addition to the CEU requirements for each state's BON, I must also pay the renewal fees.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You're from Virginia, right? In Virginia, you simply pay your money to renew. They should send you some information about a month before your license expires. It will explain where/how to pay your money. At the current time, it is very easy -- as I just renewed in Virginia a couple of months ago.

Here is a link to the Virginia Board of Nursing:

http://www.dhp.state.va.us/nursing/default.htm

It's usually a good idea to check their website every once in a while to see what's going on with them.

.... and ... Congratulations!

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Wow! That is what I needed to know! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I got it now. And no, this was not covered in school.

Thank you!! :specs:

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How many hours are 30 CEU? It sounds like this is just another way for the state to get some extra :twocents:

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How many hours are 30 CEU? It sounds like this is just another way for the state to get some extra :twocents:

Continuing education is typically not offered by "the state," so it doesn't generate any additional income for the state (BON). There are many sources of continuing education in nursing, including many sources of free CEUs. The individual nurse is free to complete the required # of hours through whatever source/means s/he chooses. The requirement is about keeping knowledge and skills up to date and growing professionally (not that it accomplishes that, but that's another conversation), not extra income for the BON.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
How many hours are 30 CEU? It sounds like this is just another way for the state to get some extra :twocents:

CEU's can cost different amounts depending on where you go to get your educational credits. For example, my hospital provides free CEU's for a few of our in-house education programs -- e.g. Nursing Grand Rounds that are offered monthly. Not only are the CEU's free, but you get paid to attend the program. :-)

You can also get fairly cheap CEU's by completing post-tests for certain professional journal articles. But then, you can also pay a small fortune to go to some workshops, seminars, and conferences. It's up to you how much you spend.

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