Maintain Nursing Licence

[kittagirl]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could answer a question for me about nursing licences in the US and how you maintain yours.

Actually the above question is a bit ahead of myself.

My question is once you have your nursing licence what do you have to do to maintain it?

For example I'm UK based, and to maintain my licence I have to be able to prove that I have completed: 450 hours of registered practice in the previous three years and 35 hours of learning activity (Continuing Professional Development) in the previous three years.

The criteria of what is seen as 'registered practice' is actually quite strict

How does it work in the US?

I've tried searching the net, but you know how it is, they tell you the official bit but what do you actually have to do?

Thanks in advance

Kittagirl

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

Each state has their own Nurse Practice Act, so every state determines the amount of hours that must be actually worked and the number of CEU's.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

For the US each state is different and should state something on their website. Some do CEU's (continual education units) some don't. I think the same is said for Canada ie each province is different I know for NS I have to work x amount of working hours and maintain a profile

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

Where I live, I pay my yearly fee. That's it.

[pielęgniarka, RN]

For my state in the US: the RN must participate in 24 contact hours of continuing education. I get continuing ed. free through my workplace. At the end of that two year period the nurse must renew their registration which involves paying money to the board of nursing for registration renewal - around $100 for me. (Board of nursing sends out a reminder). If a nurse doesn't reregister and lets their license lapse, they can reapply for licensure and pay lots of money in re-registration fees. If a nurse lets the license lapse and if they have not practiced nursing for ten years or more, are required to take a nurse refresher course or equivalent and pay lots of money in re-registration fees. I don't think my state requires a certain number of hours worked as a nurse each year, just the money to keep up registration & documentation of CEU's.

[lkwashington]

In my state of VA, I just renew the license every two years the same month you born and if you was born on a even or odd year that matters also.