Have you ever been audited?

[Florence NightinFAIL, BSN, RN]

How was the experience?

And what do you guys do to keep your practice/education up to date?

A year ago, a fellow nurse gave me a tip. He said that he has a designated 'audit binder' and everytime he signs up for a workshop, class, seminar - he prints the receipt/schedule and sticks it in the binder. I'm sure there are other things you can do that would apply.

What do you guys do?

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

audited? my state has no CE requirements, but we of course have obligations we have to fulfill through work which is 30 a year , but they track that for us

[caliotter3]

My CE was audited about six years ago. I managed to find my certificates, made copies, filled out the form, mailed it in, and got a letter back saying I was ok. I had more problems getting my initial fingerprinting done when the state requested it last year. Of course, I threw the letter in a corner, forgot all about it, then when it was time for mailing in my renewal, suddenly remembered, and did it at the last minute. Since I wasn't working at the time, I had to scrounge around to come up with the fees and was sweating it there as the deadline came and went. Moral of the story, when you get a request to do something, don't put it aside and forget about it.

[totally_nuts]

Here in South Australia we are required to keep a professional portfolio that contains all our education details, practice certificate, police clearance etc. We have to do a minimum of 20 hours continuing professional development every year, and we are required to keep evidence in our portfolio.

We need to include the certificate of attendance, details of what was covered and a reflective journal covering what we learned and how it will affect our nursing practice.

If we get audited by the nursing board, we have to produce our portfolio and you had better make darn sure it's complete or you may just lose your registration.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

I strongly believe that all nurses should be required in all states to have a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education annually and that evidence of it should have to be present in order for one to renew their license. In Washington state where I live now there is no such requirement. I like the idea of the post from the nurse above from South Australia. I believe that system is an excellent one. In addition, I believe you should have to keep an up to date work history at all times.

[pielęgniarka, RN]

Yes I have been audited, at that time I was not keeping very good track of my CEU's I had to scramble around and gather them up to fax in. Luckily I was able to round up EXACTLY the number of CEU's I needed! Now what I do is right after I renew my license I take CEU courses through CME Resource and get all 24 my required CEU's right away. Anything else I get on top of that is fine, I feel better knowing I won't have to think about it for another two years. I store all my certificates in a binder now-- A hot pink one labeled CEU's so I don't lose sight of it.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Texas requires CNE so I just keep a folder and drop in the certificates as I receive them. If I am audited I have what I need.

[DCtraumarn]

DC has CEU requirements and I also keep a file and as I do them throughout the year I put a copy in my file. I have never been audted, but I know the District does audit RN's, MD's , etc....on a fairly regular basis.

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

Not required in my state. Just Infection Control every so many years. I do many inservices at work that they keep track of. But other than IC, nothing more is required to mantain my license.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Absolutely keep a file. Not only does this help if you are audited, it helps you have all of your stuff together should you decide to apply for a promotion.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

My state doesn't require CEU's for LPN's....what a shame. My work does, however, and they keep track for me.

[RubyRN,CHPN]

I strongly believe that all nurses should be required in all states to have a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education annually and that evidence of it should have to be present in order for one to renew their license. In Washington state where I live now there is no such requirement. I like the idea of the post from the nurse above from South Australia. I believe that system is an excellent one. In addition, I believe you should have to keep an up to date work history at all times.

Changes are coming in WA. I heard as of 10/11/2010 they are going to start requiring 45 CEUs over a 3 year period to maintain licensure along with proof of hours worked of 540 hour minimum. The regulatory update I read at my work indicated that that 20 percent of nurses would be audited a year. I am disappointed with the state for not notifying me in writing when I renewed my license this month. I was notified via email from my employer.