How to keep a Nursing License Current
All nurses, whether RNs (registered nurses) or LPNs (licensed practical nurses) are required to obtain a minimum number of CEUs or contact hours during each two-year licensure period. Each state sets its own minimum number of hours required to renew the license. Alabama, where I live, requires 24 hours every two years. CRNPs (certified registered nurse practitioners) and CNMs (certified nurse midwives) must earn an additional six hours in pharmacology. Most states do not allow excess CEUs to roll over into the next renewal period.
The CEU requirement helps insure that practicing nurses are current on the many changes in their field. Most hospitals offer several opportunities during the year to earn CEUs. Since they are required to maintain a license nurses are paid for their time to attend. Most CEUs are offered in one-hour classes, which result in one CEU. Longer classes yield more CEUs. ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) is a popular way to earn many CEUs at once. The two-day class for new certification may offer as many as 14 CEUs, while the one-day recertification class offers six or seven depending on class length.
Many states also require that a nurse work a certain number of hours each year delivering patient care to keep the license current. Allowing a license to lapse entirely then deciding to return to work in a few years involves a significant amount of effort to renew. Extra coursework and classes may be required, depending on how long it has been since the license lapsed. There are refresher courses for nurses returning to practice; however, the best practice is never to allow the license to lapse in the first place. Working PRN a few shifts each month keeps clinical skills up and license up to date. During that time there will likely be CEU offerings that can be taken so that there is not a mad dash close to renewal time to cram in CEUs.
Although no CEUs are offered, it is highly advised to subscribe to one of the many nursing journals. They offered peer-reviewed content on new medicines, procedures, safety, and treatment. They are an invaluable source of information for the seasoned nurse as well as the new grad.
Another way to stay current with CEUs is to attend one of the many one-day seminars taught in larger cities across the country. These focus on popular areas such as diabetes, cardiology, critical care, and advanced assessment skills. This allows the nurse to focus on their area of interest, learn the newest information, and earn valuable CEUs. Even if the CEUs aren't needed, nurses benefit by attending seminars in their field of care. This additional knowledge helps them deliver better bedside care to the patient.
