CEUs

My state requires 15 contact hours every two years. I actually don't think that's enough. One hour a month would give you 24 in a licensure period. The importance depends on the quality of the content. Not all CE is created equal...

My state (Connecticut) requires NONE!  Which is incredibly surprising, because Connecticut is otherwise the land of paperwork, registration fees, and hoops. I don’t know why we require none. I think that we should. It’s only been two years since I graduated from school, but there are some basic things that I could definitely use a refresher on. And yes, obviously, I could take courses on my own initiative, but people aren’t likely to unless there’s a requirement. 

Personally, I am trying to learn, looking things up, reading relevant articles, all the time.  I educate myself on things that are important and useful to me in my current situation.  But when it comes to CEUs, I simply go through the motions to meet the state criteria.   A lot of companies make it very quick and easy to get CEUs,  so that's what I do.  Part of the issue is the  state BON requires certificates to be uploaded for relicensure.   That would mean over a two year period I have to keep track of all the certificates I pick up here and there.  It's easier to get on line with a CEU provider, get all my certificates at one time, and then upload them when I apply for relicensure.  Also, I find more and  more,that a lot of webinars I am required to take, are not very informative.   They spend an inordinate amount of time listing the credentials and accomplishments of the presenters, and then there's the testing process.  When all is said and done, a lot of times you end up with maybe 40 minutes of not very relevant information.  I'd rather educate myself;  there is a wealth of information out there.