CEU's????

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ED, House Supervisor, IT.

All this talk about Diploma, ASN or BSN... does passing boards make one competent... this an that.

What about the push to make CEU's mandatory.

I applaud that states that do, but what about the ones that don't.

Kinda sad here in Illinois as long as my check clears every two years, I'm certified.

What measures do I have to show that I am up to date on what's new or old.

I don't know about you, but I don't remember every thing from nursing school. (How many of you studied the day of the test?)

My wife is a soon to be Paramedic... do you realize how many hours they must maintain EVERY YEAR in order to practice. And what do they get paid compared to a RN?

What are your thoughts?

Hank

Hank,

I was not aware that there were states that didn't require CE. Here in Ca. we are required to get 30 units. Even that seems like a small amount at times. On the other hand if you only have 28 the day before your license is about to expire......Mind you the Ca board always cashes my check, and they have never yet audited my CEUs. They at least require you to list them on your renewal application.

I think it is a good requirement. It doesn't guarentee that all nurses are going to be keeping up with the professional standards, but if they are going to some classes there's more of a chance than without the requirement.

just my .02

ken :devil:

Specializes in ED, House Supervisor, IT.

No CE's... No license.

Simple and to the point.

Specializes in CV-ICU.

Okay, now throw in the Interstate Nursing Compact. Think about this: If you are licensed to practice nursing in a state that doesn't require CEU's, and you are practicing in a state that DOES require CEU's, what happens - do you need to do CEU's to work in that state? Unfortunately, the answer is NO! That means that the nurses who are licensed to practice in the state that requires CEU's are held to a higher level of requirements than other nurses who are "just practicing" in that state!!!!!

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Right now, I carry a nursing license from one of the compact states that does NOT require CEUs, but I seek out CEUs to take anyway just because I learn so much from them. :) Self motivation goes a long way in desiring to better oneself. It would be wonderful for nurses to voluntarily take CEUs, but we know that isn't the case in many places, so some states mandate them as a condition to renewing one's license as a nurse. :)

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

I work in a state that doesn't require CEU's, however I do them on my own free will and for my own betterment.

Why does everything have to be a RULE or a MANDATE in order to ensure that nurses stay current and knowledgeable? Why can't people take responsibility for their own career and their own learning for cripe's sake?

I really don't see how being required to have a certain number of CEUs/year to renew your nursing license as being beneficial at all. I am still a student, but attend many dinners/events where CEUs can be earned. For the most part these are social functions where a speaker is paid to hawk a drug. There is little if any proof that you acutally gained any knowledge/CEUs from attending. Not that I mind, for a free meal for a student is always a good thing :-)

Specializes in ED, House Supervisor, IT.
Originally posted by Susy K

I work in a state that doesn't require CEU's, however I do them on my own free will and for my own betterment.

Why does everything have to be a RULE or a MANDATE in order to ensure that nurses stay current and knowledgeable? Why can't people take responsibility for their own career and their own learning for cripe's sake?

Susy.... wish all nurses are like you. But ask your self how many incompetent nurses you have worked with?

Why can't people take responsibility? Because people become lazy. People want to do the bare minimum to get by. What if having ACLS or CPR was not mandatory. How many RN's do you think would stay current.

Let me ask those who have TNS... is it not a rule to maintain 40 hrs before recertifying?

Paramedics have to maintain certain contact hours and they make half of what a nurse makes.

Would you want a nurse to care for your family member if they are not current with medical/nursing issues?

Specializes in ED, House Supervisor, IT.
Originally posted by tapper

I really don't see how being required to have a certain number of CEUs/year to renew your nursing license as being beneficial at all. I am still a student, but attend many dinners/events where CEUs can be earned. For the most part these are social functions where a speaker is paid to hawk a drug. There is little if any proof that you acutally gained any knowledge/CEUs from attending. Not that I mind, for a free meal for a student is always a good thing :-)

Because your a student... and no disrespect.

We were all there. But after your out and practicing, you'll realize how much you will forget. Nursing is an ongoing learning process. Unless you become the few that take it upon yourself to stay current and review the things from the past, your patient might suffer.

Good luck with your career!

Since I am from Canada, I am not sure what CEUs are.

However I take it they are some kind of eduational session that shows that you are keeping up to date. In Ontario we can be audited and we must produce a professional porfolio that serve the same purpose.

These thing IMHO are not a true indication of anything. the true test comes during a nurses probationary period on a new unit or during the interveiw. Either they are up-to-date (it will show) or their not. If they are not current they hopefully will get fired or have to become current fast to keep their new job.

I know I will get flamed for this but Oh Well, I believe that there are areas of nursing which require lesser degrees of skills and are very stagnant professionally. Mediocre nurses will survive in these areas, but there is very little mental challenge here and their competency atropies.

A nurse new to a transplant floor will be exposed to so much information that being current is NOT an option.

Bottom line is that these CEUs just mean that you have alot of free time, they do not measure how much you actually got out of it nor how competent your practice is.

Zhakrin

Specializes in ED, House Supervisor, IT.

Point taken..

What then do you suggest or propose?

Specializes in LDRP; Education.

CEU's can be pointless but I guess it depends on the CEU - some are worthwhile and others are dumb with the answers right there in the journal. I suppose if we had to do something "on paper" to ensure our nurses are current, well then I guess I would have to leave the decision on if the CEU was meaningful or not to the individual nurse.

My employer has yearly competencies, and we must maintain our certification in NALS - which I think counts for something - but at what point do we draw the line and hand the responsibility of learning to the learner where it belongs?

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