Continue Nursing Education courses for Non-practicing RN license holders

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Hello everyone!

I got my Texas RN license in 2014, however, I have been working as an academic researcher oversea and I have not practiced nursing since I obtained my license.

I would like to renew my license now and I need to take 20 hours of online Continue Nursing Education (CNE) courses. My question is, Texas Board of Nursing Requires RNs to complete the CNE courses related to their area of practice, since I have not been practicing nursing, what kind of courses I could take online (I found some free courses such as Nurse CNE | Texas Health Steps, but can I just pick any courses?)

Am I even eligible for renewing my license due to my lack of nursing working experiences?

Another question, if I am not able to renew my license, can I still use RN as my credential on academic papers?

Sorry there are a lot of questions, thank you for your time! I really appreciate your help!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Hi! Hope one of our Texas nurses can answer you CEU question.

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Specializes in school nurse.

Not sure about the CE content part of your question, but no, if your license lapses you cannot use it as an academic credential...

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Texas nurse here

You are eligible if you practice within 5 years.....can your work be considered nursing research?

I use Ceu.elite....

Texas does require an ethics ceu within each 3 renewal cycles......

Best wishes

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What are you researching? I'd use something related to that.

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Thank you for all of your kind responses. I am doing neurology/teen epilepsy studies, I have taken 21 hours of CNE classes in mostly ethics and adolescent health. Am I good to submit the renewal form? Or I need to find more classes related to neurology?

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