Continuing Ed Credits? What are these for?

RNMeg · Mar 9, 2008

To be able to keep and renew your license, most (if not all) states require that you get a certain number of continuing education credits every year, to show you're keeping on top of new research and keeping skills and knowledge sharp. I believe most professions require this - I know the optometrists I work for have to have CE credits to maintain their licensure also.

beachbum3 · Mar 9, 2008

They keep you abreast of current issues. Things are ever changing in health care and as a RN you should stay on top of whats going on. Many (Most, from my understanding) states require a certain number of CEUs for license renewal.

elkpark · Mar 9, 2008

Also, the various specialty certifications require specific numbers of CEUs to maintain certification.

Although the validity or utility of requiring CEUs is highly questionable, it is a means of documenting that you are (supposedly) continuing to stay up to date in your specialty area and develop professionally.

suanna · Mar 9, 2008

These are a weak attempt by our state license agencys to make nursing seem more like a profession. Every state has different requirements as to the number of hours and the required subject material. There are several "schools" that are in business just to provide C.E. courses for nurses and other non doctor health care providers. Although some of the courses are quite substantial many can be somewhat whimsical to downright silly. As far as I can tell they serve no real purpose- but it looks good to require them for the image of nursing as a profession! You will need to take them every year or two depending on your state in order to renew your license.

elkpark · Mar 9, 2008

These are a weak attempt by our state license agencys to make nursing seem more like a profession. Every state has different requirements as to the number of hours and the required subject material. There are several "schools" that are in business just to provide C.E. courses for nurses and other non doctor health care providers. Although some of the courses are quite substantial many can be somewhat whimsical to downright silly. As far as I can tell they serve no real purpose- but it looks good to require them for the image of nursing as a profession! You will need to take them every year or two depending on your state in order to renew your license.

I agree. I have been an RN long enough to remember when, before so many states started implementing a requirement for annual CEUS, continuing education opportunities for nurses were (nearly) all substantive, worthwhile classes/courses. There was no such thing as the sort of "manufactured fluff" you see so much of nowadays, that exists solely to enable nurses who just want to meet the requirement, without having to spend much money or make an effort.

This is my objection to the (IMHO) empty gesture of requiring a specific number of hours to maintain licensure -- those of us who are sincerely interested in and committed to our own professional growth and development will continue to participate in professional organizations, attend conferences, take worthwhile classes/courses, etc., which we would have done anyway. Those people who aren't interested will find the quickest, cheapest, easiest way to "get around" the requirement (and, as you note, thre are plenty of organizations that have sprung up to help them do that!). You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, and the state BONs, however much they would like to, can't make people be interested in staying current and growing professionally.

RNursingStudent · Mar 9, 2008

Thanks for all of your info on this. I just find it kind of funny our nursing school has never mentioned this to us. Not that is makes a difference. I love to learn knew things. I am so excited about graduating and starting work this June! YAY!

CHATSDALE · Mar 9, 2008

most hospitals will have inservice in your speciality so that you can be up to date on new procedures etc and meet/exceed the minimum requirements

graduation is just the first step you have to continue learning as long as you are a nurse

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2008

Also, once you get your license, you will be exempt from needing CEU's until your after your 1st renewal. No need to waste your money sending in CEU's right now.

nightmare, RN · Mar 9, 2008

You can do CE credits on Medscape for nothing and you get a certificate(printable) for it.

Dental Hygienist · Mar 9, 2008

When I obtained my Dental Hygiene license they required NEW GRADS to prove we had taken 6 hours of CE within the last 2 years :madface: (experienced RDHs who are renewing their licenses need between 24-36 hours every 2 years depending on the level of their license).

I thought that was really silly and a waste of money for poor college students who are already paying a bunch of money and spending lots of time in class...I guess the theory was to "get us used to taking CE"

But as to CE requirements for license renewal, I totally agree that it is a great idea. :specs: When I started researching a career change into nursing I was shocked to discover that in Oregon, RNs are not required to take ANY CEUs...they just must prove 960 hours of paid work as a RN and a current CPR card. The advanced practice RNs in Oregon are required to do some CEUs though, which made me feel better. But still, it seems silly that in Oregon a dental hygienist must get 24-36 hours of CE every 2 years and a RN doesn't need any!! :rolleyes:

AmericanRN · Mar 10, 2008

Why does one need to do CE credits when they become an RN? They haven't mentioned this to us at all in our nursing classes that we would have to take credits or anything. I'm just curious why one needs to do this? I actually have a few test from the AJN that I have completed and will send in when I get my license, I just want to know what they do for me besides gaining knowledge? I hope this makes sense. Thanks for any information.

I am not RN and in fact I don't even start my clinicals until April and my school has already made us to CEU's. We had to register in an online class through a very large local hospital here.

We had to Domestic Violence, HIV, Blood Bourne Pathogens, HIPPA, Medical Errors and a few others. One of them was just on codes and regulations at the hospital we had to register with and some of us won't even be going there for clinicals.

iWhen we were done we had to print out the certificates that stated we took the test and we had to have them done by Feb. 22 nd and we didn't receive admission letters until January. On top of that any student who has not completed them by that deadline and and doesn't bring the certificates to orientation will not be allowed to do labs or clinicals and they risk being booted out the program all together. All the nurses I have to do them every few years.

I though it was interesting because I didn't know all the HIPPA rules and things lilke that so it is benefical for me as a student to know it going into it. I could also see why it would be necessary to have to brush up on certain federal rules or things that have changed in knowledge over the years like some of the Hep C information and things like that.

I also know quite a few massage therapists including my own mother and they also have to take CEU's that pertain to their field every two years or they will lose their national certification and will be stripped of their state licenses as well if they don't do them.