Continued Education

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This may be a silly question, but I've looked on my states board of nursing website and can't seem to find the answer I need.

I live in NC and trying to figure out when I need to have my continued education complete. I graduated this year (errrr last year, 2013) and my license expires 10/31/2014.

I know the credits are required before renewal, but I remember someone mentioning that you don't have to do it until a certain amount of years after you graduate. (that may have been a false rumor, I have no idea).

Also, what are your opinions on the best way to get your credits for continuing education? Online, pamphlets, classes, etc.?

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You should have all of your continuing education complete well before your license is to expire. I am in Massachusetts, and I know that I have to do my renewal in at least 3 weeks before I am set to expire. If there is a pay online option, that is quick and easy.

Sometimes, the BON will have you "prove" your continuing education. There are lots of interesting booklets that you can use for continuing ed. Just make sure it is accepted by your BON. It is also a good time to think about any certifications that you may be thinking you would like to go for. Again, be sure that this is an acceptable continuing education per your BON. Just be sure that any continuing ed hours you get a certificate of completion, with the number of hours listed.

In looking it up, seems as if NC is a bit different in their requirements for CE. Here's what it says:

CE Requirements for RNs: RNs and LPNs: For reistatement or relicensure, a plan for continued competence and completion of one of the following is required: 1) National certification or re-certification by a national credentialing body recognized by the Board. 2) 30 contact hours of continued education. 3) Completion of a Board approved refresher course. 4) Completion of a minimum of two semester hours of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice. --OR--15 contact hours of continued education and one of the following: 1) Completion of a nursing project as principal investigator or co-investigator to include statement of problem, project objectives, methods, date of completion and summary of findings. 2) Authoring or co-authoring a nursing related article, paper, book or book chapter. 3) Developing and conducting a nursing continuing education presentation or presentations totaling a minimum of five contact hours, including program brochure or course syllabi, objectives, date and location of presentation, and approximate number of attendees. 4) 640 hours of active practice within previous 2 years.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You really need to check with your board I beleive your first renewal, in many states, after initial licensure has no requirement

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That is what I think I remembering haven heard (wow mouth full) Esme12, but I want to be sure. I looked all over that website, but don't see anything saying such. Maybe I should just go ahead and work on some credits. I mean, I won't hurt.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
That is what I think I remembering haven heard (wow mouth full) Esme12 but I want to be sure. I looked all over that website, but don't see anything saying such. Maybe I should just go ahead and work on some credits. I mean, I won't hurt.[/quote']

I know many states do not give a CEU reprieve to new grads. Since it's not on the BoN website that new grads are exempt Id assume you need to meet the full requirement for renewal.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Maybe the answer will be here, otherwise, give them a callhttp://www.ncbon.com/dcp/i/licensurelisting-renewalreinstatement-continuing-competence-requirements-podcasts

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We have to sign a statement that we have paid all our taxes (first things first here!), acknowledge our obligation to report abuse/neglect, say that we have done 30 hours of CE in the last 2 years, and pay up. My renewal was just $120 for two years. They don't ask for proof at the time of relicensure but they can audit anyone anytime, so keep your proof of CEs. New grads don't get a CE exemption for their first renewal. I think the confusion results from the fact that when they obtain their first licenses they have just finished school, = lotsa education hours, and they don't need more CEs than that for those first 2 years of licensure, but will need more (30 hours is common) to renew two years later.

Get in the habit of keeping track of CE anyway-- at some point you may move, have to demonstrate CEs for renewing a certification, or some such. I keep a spreadsheet on my computer and scanned copies of the certificates of attendance (or whatever) on the computer and can print them out to submit prn.

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