Have you ever been audited?

[Florence NightinFAIL]

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?

[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.

[Anna Caspersen]

What fees and what did you use since you were not working at the time? I recently went back to work from staying home with my kids so have enough hours but am scrambling to find enough ce hrs.

[kids]

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.

Beginning January 1, 2011 WA has a new continuing competency requirement. You'll want to check out the links, it's not as simple as taking a few CEUs.

http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/Nursing/continuecomp.htm

http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/professions/Nursing/documents/ccflyer.pdf

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Keep a binder or a file with copies of everything in it and keep it in a safe place.