Should I start taking CEs? (New grad in PA)

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 6, 2016

1. The time frame is during the license period- if your license expires October 2016, then you have until October 31, 2016 to get the 30 hours. Then, for the 2018 renewal, any CEs completed between November 1, 2016 and October 31, 2018 would count.

2. That I'm not sure of since the requirements were created after my first renewal and I'm not seeing anything on the BON site. However, pacode.com states this:

Â§ 21.131. Continuing education.
(a) Requirement of continuing education. A registered nurse seeking licensure renewal shall complete 30 hours of continuing education approved by the Board during the biennial renewal period immediately preceding the application for renewal in accordance with section 12.1 of the act (63 P. S. Â§ 222) and this subchapter. The Board will not renew a license of a registered nurse who fails to verify compliance with the continuing education requirement. A registered nurse whose license is not renewed by the expiration of the biennial renewal period may not engage in the practice of professional nursing until the continuing education requirements are satisfied and the license has been renewed, reinstated or reactivated.
(b) Exception. An applicant applying for initial licensure in this Commonwealth will not be required to meet the continuing education requirement on the first renewal immediately following licensure.

I would verify this first since it's not directly from the BON website.

3. From CE FAQs

How is academic coursework counted towards CE?
Academic nursing credits are as follows:

1 trimester unit=12 CE hours
1 quarter unit=10 CE hours
1 semester unit=15 CE hours
For academic purposes, one unit is equivalent to one academic course. CE hours are per course, not perthe number of credits given for the course. These academic CE hours are the same regardless ofwhether you are a full time, part time, Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters or Doctorate level student.Any academic courses taken must pertain to nursing. CE hours will be accepted for academic coursescompleted within your biennial renewal period.

However, even if you meet 30 hours with your coursework, you will still need to complete the required child abuse CE hours. Providers for approved courses here.

amoLucia · Feb 7, 2016

The acquisition of CE units can occur thru various means. And they range from free to low cost to more costly.

I have 3 magazines on my table right now - costs are $40 and the other 2 for $18 each. Most require that you complete a posttest or questions in order to receive your certificate. And you do it on line. Easy to do.

You can start collecting CEUs whenever, but they must be within the appropriate time period (like Rose Queen posted). Don't bother going over your requirement because you can't 'bank' them for advance use. Just make sure you're in the right window period.

Check to make sure you complete programs SPECIFIC to your state --- PA requires something on child abuse; NJ requires something on organ donation, etc.

Make sure the provider has been approved for your state, and that the CEUs are good for RN or LPN or both. A program might look good but it's for Social Workers, not nurses. And not all states accept the same programs depending on the provider - I have a book right now that flat out says "not good for Florida". So be aware.

Keep an eye open to your CEUs. When you see something that catches your interest and cost is ok, go for it.

And ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY keep your hard copy certificates of completion. There's also software that can track your collection, and some organizations will do it too. But make sure you have your proof in case you are audited by your BON - they do random audits and you don't want to be caught.

When you renew, you will find some phrase that asks you if you've met your CEU requirement. And the last question usually asks something like you have answered all questions honestly under penalty for falsification. Just do your CEUs.