CNA continuing education units?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hi everyone,

I have my first CNA interview in the morning:) at an assisted living facility and the hiring manager stated that if I wanted the weekend shift that I would have to go to a meeting/class on Tuesdays for my CEU's. Correct me if I am wrong, but since I just received my Certification a couple of weeks ago, do I need to be taking the continuing ed already? Someone please help me to understand all of this so I know what is going on tomorrow at the interview:confused:. I don't remember our instructor ever saying anything about this, we were just told that we had to work a min. of 8 hours I believe in 2 years' time to keep our certification current. Also, how many CEU's do you need each year etc,.

Thanks in advance guys,!!:)

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All CNAs must complete "XX" amount of CEUs each year as well as work the 8 hour shift every 2 years to maintain their certification. Being a new CNA, you will still have to complete the CEUs. The number you have to have varies from state to state. You could find out for sure by contacting your state's board of nursing or by asking the DON or nurse educator if you are hired at that facility.

I did somewhere around 36 units during my first year as a CNA.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Yea, here in MD we have to do 12 CEU's every year. They are usually held once a month.

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Where do you do your CEU hours? I was not aware of this - I just got certified in December. Thanks!

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i think i've got this right:

continuing ed isn't required in nc (think that's where op is) for cna's. employers in nc may require it though, because that's a requirement to receive federal funds (medicare/medicaid) under the ombudsman act.

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Where do you do your CEU hours? I was not aware of this - I just got certified in December. Thanks!

Most of the time they are completed at your facility via inservices -- meetings where certain topics are discussed (and possibly a short quiz taken).

Occasionally there are facilities that do CEUs completely online.

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab.
Most of the time they are completed at your facility via inservices -- meetings where certain topics are discussed (and possibly a short quiz taken). quote]

Yes, my ceu's where taken place in my facility. They updated us on safety precautions and hazards. Electrical safety, emergency plans, bloodborne pathogens, PPE and more insightful information. I believe it was a training course in preparing us to the risks and pre-cautions that everyday nurse aide's are exposed to.

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Specializes in ICU.

Like mentioned in some of the other comments - check with your state BON for CE requirements. My state doesn't require CEs to maintain certification.

BUT my facility encourages us to take CE to improve our knowledge and skill base, so they offer CE classes that are optional, and we get "bonus points" on our yearly evaluation for the number we do. Better yearly eval = better yearly raise. Additionally, it makes one a better CNA. I'm all for it. :)

I go to as many as I can, as well as optional inservices, new equipment teaches, and even the medical education seminars for the doctors. I figure you can never know too much, right?

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Inservices are great skills reviews, too.

As time goes on we may forget some of the little details of policies and procedures.

They help to refresh your memory so that you (hopefully) will provide better care.

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Hello. I am a case manager in a home health company and reading your concern, I think it is better for you to attend the CEUs as early as possible. You will be bombarded with tasks in the future and right now that you still have time, you can start completing your CEUs. :)

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