Funding for continuing education expenses?

[MKS8806]

I am in search of any resources out there for nurses to help with the expenses of continuing education opportunities, such as conference expenses. I have already reached out to the conference sponsors and my employer and have not had much luck. I didn't know if anyone knew of any other options?

Thanks!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Conferences are usually funded out of your own pocket.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We get a reimbursement at work, prorated to how many years you have been there. Otherwise it is out of pocket.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

There are tons of free or costing as little as $20 - 30 online CE resources with more than enough of (mostly, silly stupid) stuff to satisfy any State's Boards, if the goal is to pass the license check and nothing else. Medscape and most of specialty nursing professional organizations offer CE materials of better quality and of interest for particular specialties for free with once-a-year membership fee, or even without it. Conferences are usually out of pocket.

If OP is particularly interested in Ob/L&D/N, local CNM program and the State's professional society are two places to check out. They sure won't have money but plenty of information about good quality CEs and networking which hopefully will allow to decrease costs by attending local conferences, roommating, carpooling, etc.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Gone are the good ole days when your employer paid for your trip or your conference. When I first started in nursing, we could get trips to Las Vegas, San Diego, Orlando, etc., paid for if we were attending a conference, plus any local conference. Haven't seen that in years.