Need help renewing my license for the first time.

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So, I'm on my .gov website for renewal for PA, and there are two questions

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[TD]Have you completed 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting?

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My answer is No, or at least I don't believe so.

And the other question is, [TABLE]

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[TD]Have you completed a minimum of 30 hours of Board-approved continuing education? Do not send materials now. The Board will conduct an audit at a later date.

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My answer is definitely No.

What happens if I pay the fee and submit my answers as no?

Are they going to offer me coursework to complete the requirements? Or do I have to complete requirements first and then click the "yes" option before submitting and paying the fee.

I am sorry for the stupid question, but this is my first time renewing a license...

Also, where would I complete the above?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Do not bother attempting to renew your license until you have completed your state's mandatory CEU's. You must find & complete the mandatories on your own. Visit your state's BON website for guidelines.

Did your nursing school include any lessons on licensure, license renewal or mandatory ongoing education credits?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Did your nursing school include any lessons on licensure, license renewal or mandatory ongoing education credits?

Most likely not. It seems schools either deem this unimportant or too complicated because all states are different and leave all students to fend for themselves when it comes to this.

OP, do not attempt to renew until you have the requirements completed. There are various websites that offer CEs, such as your specialty organization and various other nursing related websites. As for the child abuse one, you must complete one that is approved by the state, which is clearly defined on the website.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
So, I'm on my .gov website for renewal for PA, and there are two questions

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD]Have you completed 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting?[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

My answer is No, or at least I don't believe so.

And the other question is, [TABLE]

[TR=bgcolor: beige]

[TD]Have you completed a minimum of 30 hours of Board-approved continuing education? Do not send materials now. The Board will conduct an audit at a later date.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

My answer is definitely No.

What happens if I pay the fee and submit my answers as no?

Are they going to offer me coursework to complete the requirements? Or do I have to complete requirements first and then click the "yes" option before submitting and paying the fee.

I am sorry for the stupid question, but this is my first time renewing a license...

Also, where would I complete the above?

If this is your first time, it can be confusing. Do not bother trying to renew your license if you have not met the required continuing education requirements. Paying the fee will not renew your license until you have taken the CEUs. It wasn't always that you were simply asked if you have met the requirements; you had to list the courses on the renewal form. Now you're on your honor but can always be audited. When you take a course, always keep hard copies of them in a safe place, and I suggest listing the courses with all the information on your computer and travel drive. You cannot practice without an active license.

The good news is that it is much easier now to obtain CEUs. The BON does not offer you course work. That is your responsibility. Perhaps others here can offer online suggestions, as I always received mine from journals and academic conferences.

Until your license is renewed and active, you cannot practice. You will need to contact your employer of your situation. You will be in a heap of trouble with the BON and your employer if you practice without an active license. Most BONs notify you way ahead of the renewal date, but you didn't specify your time line.

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

You must have 3 hour child abuse course completed (as first time license renewal) and reported to PA BON or your license will not be renewed.

Regs: Act 31 of 2014 – Initial Training and Continuing Education in Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Requirements (PDF)

PA BON list available at link below. Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center offered Free course in past:

Act 31 of 2014 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Continuing Education Providers

Many hospital/healthcare providers offer free CE via CE Direct--ask your employer /education department if they participate.

See my link of Free Nursing Continuing Education Programs - 100+ contact hours ... see I need to update for 2017.

You must complete 30hrs CE prior to submitting license application for if license pulled for contact hour verification and found missing CE, you will be fined and have PERMANENT disciplinary action on your license.

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Getting mandatory CE is your responsibility as an RN. The BoN will not just send you a license if you send them the fee. The BoN will not send you CE, and will not necessarily recommend any (with the exception of any state-required course they mandate).

Suggest you start investigating local nursing organizations, your hospital inservice education department, and nursing publications for opportunities to continue your professional learning. There's lots out there. Beware: some online offerings are only 15-20 minutes, and some BoNs will not accept anything that short.

I get all my CEs from attending professional conferences. One a year would be enough.

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Specializes in Critical care.

You do not need the 30 credits for the first renewal (and only the first renewal). Go to page 18 of this PDF (12.1 section C) from the PA BON website: http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Documents/Applications%20and%20Forms/Professional%20Nurse%20Law.pdf

The PDF is found here: Board Laws and Regulations by clicking on the "RN Law (PDF)"

It states:

An individual applying for the first time for licensure in this Commonwealth shall be exempted from the continuing education requirement for the biennial renewal period following initial licensure.

I would still do the Child Abuse Education though.

Since you renew after 1 year with the first renewal period in PA that falls under the 2 year time frame of taking nursing courses, so courses you took before taking the NCLEX essentially are your 30 CEUs.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

When does your license expire? I would look for some online CEUs now and renew ASAP.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.
You do not need the 30 credits for the first renewal (and only the first renewal). Go to page 18 of this PDF (12.1 section C) from the PA BON website: http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Documents/Applications%20and%20Forms/Professional%20Nurse%20Law.pdf

The PDF is found here: Board Laws and Regulations by clicking on the "RN Law (PDF)"

It states:

I would still do the Child Abuse Education though.

Since you renew after 1 year with the first renewal period in PA that falls under the 2 year time frame of taking nursing courses, so courses you took before taking the NCLEX essentially are your 30 CEUs.

:yes: I'm impressed; good on you AceOfHearts

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If we are exempt from the continuing education credits after the first year, do we check off yes or no on the application?

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Google nursing CEUs, many online.....as Ceu.elite etc

You must satisfy your state required Ceu, BEFORE submitting renewal

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I can tell you what MIGHT happen if you renew your license and do not have documentation supporting your CE.

License bearers are audited. They say it is "random" but in reality the most attention is paid for those who are older (as newly graduated nurses are more compliant overall and can claim their college work as CEs), those who was never audited before and those who have any mark of the Board's "attention" on their licenses already. Total number of audits is about 10 - 12% out of all licenses or maybe even less. Audited persons get a letter, in my state by snail mail, and they have to submit, in paper or online, the evidence of completed CE within certain period of time. If they fail to do so, their licenses are put on "suspended" or "provisionary suspended" status. From that moment on, this person cannot legally practice as a nurse till CEs requirements are fulfilled AND any other limitations applied by the Board (there can be a fine of several hundred $, call to be summoned for Board hearing, etc- depending on state and condition of the Board overall).

Usually, Boards do not put any permanent "discipline" mark on the license for that alone, but it again depends on the state, individual circumstances, etc.

Do not renew your license till you done with CEs or KNOW that you're in exemption period, the potential trouble doesn't worth it. The Internet is full of one-stop places to do it, specified for your state costing $50 or less for a whole thing. It all can be completed in one day or a couple of evenings. For the future, look for any cost-free opportunity. Drug reps presentations and employer provided education are easy and profitable because you can get the CE and a meal for free :)

Please read your state's requirements really carefully, as it was noted above. If in doubt, contact Boards. If you are exempt, do only part(s) mandatory for your state, like that children's abuse.

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