How Many CEUs Are Required For Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners
Keeping pace with continuing education is important for nurse practitioners (NPs). Taking a steady pace will keep them current with the profession, ensure they meet board certification requirements, and maintain their sharp perspective. In addition, completing CE at a consistent pace will increase a NP’s earning potential. Taking online courses can help nurses earn CE credits in between in-person conferences. However, live conferences can be especially beneficial for NPs, as they offer networking opportunities and classroom sessions.
Some states require their nurses to complete specific courses for CEUs for Nurses credit, such as identifying and reporting child abuse. Others require that nurses complete a course in infection control, which can include topics such as pain management. Other states may have different requirements, so it’s best to check with your state’s nursing board to see what types of courses they require.
If a nurse is renewing her license, she must also keep track of her CEU hours. This helps her to stay current on the latest medical developments. She should choose her CEUs carefully, since they will help her improve her knowledge and increase her earning potential. Additionally, taking CE courses can help a nurse network with other RNs and improve her skills, which is always beneficial in the professional arena.
How Many CEUs Are Required For Nurse Practitioners?
APRNs must also keep their certification up to date. If they lapse in their certification, they will no longer be authorized to practice. Fortunately, they don’t have to submit their CE certificates to the Board, but in some cases, they’ll be required to submit them to the Board when they apply for renewal.
APRNs with prescribing authority must complete an additional 5 hours of pharmacotherapeutic continuing education. This is in addition to the 20 hours of continuing education required for all NPs. Those additional hours are counted towards the twenty-hour requirement. However, the amount of CE required is up to individual states, so you should consult your state’s board for more details.
CEU courses should be accredited and approved by the state board. Nurses can also take CEUs through self-study or online courses. They can also attend professional conferences or clinical workshops. Typically, the topics covered during continuing education include nursing laws and ethics, nursing practice, and clinical topics. Additionally, healthcare facilities often offer free CEUs for their employees.
For LPNs, continuing education is also important to maintain their license. Continuing education must include at least two hours on the subject of HIV/AIDS. APRNs with tick-borne disease practice are encouraged to take courses that relate to their roles and populations. For example, they should complete a course on Shaken Baby Syndrome, which teaches nurses how to recognize and prevent pediatric abusive head trauma. This course must be completed within seven months of becoming licensed.
Nurse practitioners must complete 100 hours of advanced continuing education every five years. Of these, 25 hours must be in the field of pharmacology. This requirement may be waived, however, if an NP has already completed 125 hours of precepting hours.