How Many CEUs Does a Nurse Need?
CEUs Does a Nurse Need
If you’re a nurse, you might wonder how many CEUs you need to stay current. One way to do this is to take continuing education courses. In order to earn CEUs, you’ll need to complete at least 10 hours of study. These courses must be offered by an approved CE provider. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has a list of approved providers.
When choosing CE courses, choose topics that you’re interested in. This way, you can build your expertise and enjoy the learning process. You can also attend conferences where you can learn new skills. Make sure you check the provider’s credentials, too! CEs are a vital part of keeping your license current.
In addition to taking CE courses, nurses can participate in college-credit courses to earn additional CEUs. These courses must be relevant to their practice and within the scope of Nursing CEUs curriculum. One contact hour is equal to 50-60 minutes of instruction. If you’re renewing your license, you must keep track of the CEUs you’ve earned. It’s also important to note that you can’t count general ed courses towards your CE requirements.
Nursing CEUs should be accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Taking these courses can increase your earnings potential and ensure that you’re up-to-date with your profession. Even if you have a busy schedule, you should still make time to complete your CEs.
How Many CEUs Does a Nurse Need?
The number of CEUs required for renewing a nursing license varies by state. RNs with employer-verified practice must complete at least five hours of CEs per renewal cycle. Those whose license is only valid for two years are required to take an additional four hours of CEs.
In addition to completing courses, nurses must maintain a minimum number of contact hours to maintain their license. Some states have specific continuing education requirements based on clinical topics. Some states also require that RNs complete a specific number of hours every three years. Taking a pharmacotherapy course, for example, may count towards your CE requirement.
The initial licensing period for a nurse is six to 29 months, depending on the month and year of birth. During the first renewal period, nurses are not required to take additional CEs, though they must still renew on time. If they fail to renew, their license will expire.
Continuing education hours are necessary for RNs and LPNs in Ohio. Each year, RNs must complete 30 contact hours of approved continuing education. LPNs must complete two semester credits of post-licensure academic education related to nursing practice. Regardless of your level of education, you should complete at least one course related to Chapters 4723,1-23 of the Ohio Nurse Practice Code.
In the US, a nurse can hold a multi-state license. A multi-state compact license allows nurses to practice in more than one state. For example, a nurse who is licensed in Iowa may practice nursing in South Dakota under the same license.