June 29th: Gov Inks CE BILL: 30 CEU'S/2 yrs now required for PA nursing license

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

from pa nurses eupdate:

governor rendell signs senate bill 235 requiring continuing education for nurses

senate bill 235, sponsored by sen. patricia h. vance (r-cumberland/york), amends the professional nursing law (act 69 of 1951) by providing for continuing nursing education.

the bill requires the nursing board to distribute and enforce rules and regulations for continuing nursing education, including fees as necessary. it requires nurse licensees to attend and complete 30 hours of mandatory continuing education during each two-year licensing period, except for first-time licensees who will be exempt from the requirement of the first license period. the bill provides that the board may waive all or a portion of the requirement for a licensee who can demonstrate inability to meet the requirement due to serious illness, military service or other hardship. for a person seeking re-licensure after an inactive or lapsed period, the bill requires compliance with the requirement for the previous two-year period.

the bill also provides that certified registered nurse practitioners and dietetics-nutrition licensees will fulfill their respective qualification requirements under the act, which includes continuing education.

sb 235 further provides that school nurses who are certified as educational specialists and already subject to fulfill continuing professional education requirements will be permitted to submit evidence of completion of education courses approved for their certification by the school district.

the bill passed the senate 49-0 and the house 192-4. the bill is effective in 60 days.

http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?a=11&q=454135

my state rep tom gannon sent letter informing me he signed bill-- also sent info to pa licensed nurses in his district....spread the word!

from pa sbon : (accessed 8/31/06)

special notice for continuing education requirement for rn's

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Specializes in pure and simple psych.

Good for PA. All states should have continuing education.

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Specializes in med surg.

NRS Karen,

While I am aware that the bill passed it is my understanding that it will not realy impact those of us renewing our license this year. The licenses that start renewing in 2007 will be required to have 30 CEU's by their next renewal in 2009.

Also that contact hours may be taken online if the courses are AACN. PSNA thought when I spoke with them it would really take till next year to become effective,I am misinformed, did I misunderstand?

Thanks

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

BON will need to send out newsletter with new license requirement prior to any disciplinary action. They ususally give a grace period...Expect to see info added on all license renewals in 2007 with enforcement of regs following year.

Any CE related to nursing/job description will be permitted,...except for basketweaving ;) Program without CE certificate, keep course outline and attendance roster usually sufficient.

Example: I'm participating in monthly Ethics course via conference call/webinar at work with another manager, no certificate given. Health system does keep roster of attendance. I'm keeping list of date/time attendance and course outline.

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Thanks Karen for posting this information. I haven't had much time to surf allnurses lately.......or do anything other than work for that matter so I appreciate you keeping us up to date.

One question, do you know how the state will "collect" this information? In other words how will PA nurses prove they have met the requirement. Just a thought.

Thanks again,

Opal

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

States have varying standards.

Fla has seperate company/website that nurses keep track of CEU's on.DE used to just have check-off box, and to produce CE's if license pulled for queries. Other states have you submit form listing CE then pulls percentaige to check self reporting. Have not heard how PA will handle issue. As soon as I do, will report back to membership.

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Hi, im a new graduate of nursing course and I just pass the NCLEX-RN exam last May 2006... I just wonder what does continuing education means? yes i know what the "words" mean but what should i do? it says 30 hours right? Do I have to enroll myself in school and get some units or is it hospital works, trainings or something? just confused... need some advice from you guys, I know you're experienced nurses...

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I think it is great they are doing this. For nursing in general it is a good thing, but for me it is a no go. I plan on working till my next license comes up for recert in two years, then I will shelve it. I decline to do the extra work involved in getting CEUs. I can't believe I am still here as it is and am looking for an excuse to get out. They just gave it to me. Some of you will say, "good ridence to a nurse to lazy to do CEUs". You would be wrong about that but go ahead and say it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

Ann, it can be done many ways. You can complete online CE-courses especially for this purpose, which have different "Credit hours" to put towards your 30hrs. Or you can attend a conference, and get certain "credit hours" for attendance. Or it can be internal education at your hospital. So long as it's something you can get a course outline/attendance sheet/certificate for.

Also make sure the online courses you do are accredited so you don't waste your time.

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Ann, it can be done many ways. You can complete online CE-courses especially for this purpose, which have different "Credit hours" to put towards your 30hrs. Or you can attend a conference, and get certain "credit hours" for attendance. Or it can be internal education at your hospital. So long as it's something you can get a course outline/attendance sheet/certificate for.

Also make sure the online courses you do are accredited so you don't waste your time.

Thank you... Now I understand... Thanx again

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.
Hi, im a new graduate of nursing course and I just pass the NCLEX-RN exam last May 2006... I just wonder what does continuing education means? yes i know what the "words" mean but what should i do? it says 30 hours right? Do I have to enroll myself in school and get some units or is it hospital works, trainings or something? just confused... need some advice from you guys, I know you're experienced nurses...

You don't need CE's during your inital licensing period. You will need it after you renew your license for the first time and before you renew 2 years after that.

For example, I got my license in Feb 2006, First renewal is in April (I think) 2007, I need 30 hours before April 2009. My hospital/specialty already require and proved 30 hours over 2 years. So you can get with your dept. educator to find out more.

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Specializes in Mental Health and MR/DD.

So has anyone heard from the PA BON yet in regards to this? I was wondering because if it was signed in June and it went into effect 60 days later, that would make it law by the end of August and now it's November. I personally haven't heard anything as of yet.

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