CEUs Work For Nurses
Continuing education units or CEUs are a must for nurses to maintain their licenses and specialty licenses. While it may seem intimidating to take CE classes, you can also benefit professionally from the classes by acquiring new skills and networking with other RNs. Here are some ways to use CE hours to your advantage. Read on to discover the many benefits of CEUs and how they can help you become a better nurse.
Nurse CEUs credit can be awarded for college-level courses taken by a nurse. Courses must be relevant to nursing practice and within the framework of the nursing curriculum. For example, one academic semester unit equals 15 contact hours, while one quarter unit is equal to ten contact hours. Many state BONs also specify the content that cannot be approved as CE. In other words, you cannot receive credit for general ed or prerequisite courses.
Nurses can take CEU courses in many different formats. Some classes involve conference workshops and webinars, while others are self-paced packets. Nurses can also earn CEUs by reading professional literature. If you pass a test for a content area, you can earn a CEU. Each CEU is worth 10 contact hours, and you need to track them to renew your license. But how do CEUs work for nurses?
How Do CEUs Work For Nurses?
To stay current in the nursing field, you must be a lifelong learner. CEUs help nurses increase their knowledge and skills. Nurses must complete continuing education unit requirements to maintain their licenses in all 50 states. Continuing education units are also required in many states, including Nursing Licensure Compact states. Most states will require nurses to take CEU courses every two years. Some states require CEUs for specific courses, while others will only accept credits for general courses.
CEUs are required for RNs and LPNs every two years. LPNs can obtain as many as 15 free hours of CE. Some providers require that their CEU courses be accredited by an agency. To qualify for CEUs, your CEUs must be approved by the state. The courses must be accredited by a reputable organization. Free CEU courses can be found through healthcare facilities, such as Incredible Health.
The compact also grants nurses multi-state privileges. Compact state nurses can practice nursing in another compact state as long as they are licensed in their primary state. In such a case, you do not need to take CE in South Dakota if you have a multi-state license in another state. However, if you plan to work in both states, you must comply with the requirements of both. If you want to practice nursing in both states, you need to find out which state’s CE requirements apply.