Do I Need to Take Nursing CE?

Let’s face it… You have to study a LOT to become a nurse. 

You have to finish your nursing education program and study for your exams. 

And even after you become a nurse, there’s talk about continuing education for nurses. 

You may start to wonder, “Does the learning ever end? Do I need to take nursing CE?”

Well, we’re here to answer that and show you why this is an important part of your nursing journey. 

We’ll also answer a few related questions. 

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

Do I Need to Take Nursing CE?

The quick answer is yes!

Although there are foundational nursing skills that are here to stay, the nursing field is also advancing. 

Whether you are an LPN, RN, or APRN, there is always new research going on and new things to learn. 

Medicines and medical technology are always developing. Standards and procedures keep changing. New laws may be created to govern the nursing practice.

Some treatments or procedures we learned a few years ago may be phased out by now. 

So if you want to stay relevant and safe on the job, you need to continually update yourself. This is why nursing CE is crucial. 

Aside from that, you also need to renew your nursing license every few years.

Most states require you to achieve a certain number of contact hours for continuing education. Some even specify the specific courses you should take to renew your license. 

And even in the states where continuing education is not required, employers may be looking for specific skills and updated practices from their employees. 

Let’s just face it… the more training you have, the more likely you are to land a job! And the more opportunity you have for bigger salaries. 

We’ll talk a bit more about the CE requirements for LPNs, RNs, and APRNs.

However, even if your state does not require CE, it should be clear by now that continuing education is important, for you as a professional and for your patients.

What are the CE Requirements in My State? 

It is your state’s board of nursing that determines how many contact hours of continuing education you need to take. 

A contact hour usually refers to 50-60 minutes of approved training. 

Here is a table to guide you, based on your state:

What Counts as Nursing CE?

Most states specify what counts as nursing CE and what does not. 

In general, it can only be counted as nursing CE if the units you take are specific to nursing or your specified nursing field/practice.

In other words, general education courses or topics unrelated to nursing don’t count.

You also need to check if your state specifies which courses you need to take. Some examples of mandated CEUs are pain management, suicide assessment and prevention, cultural awareness, pharmacology, and infection control.

Most states even provide a list of accredited CE providers and courses.

What’s the Difference between a Contact Hour and a CEU?

You may often encounter the terms “contact hours” or “continuing education units (CEUs)” when we talk about continuing education. 

In general, a contact hour refers to 50-60 hours of instruction or training. A CEU, on the other hand, is a collective term referring to about 10 contact hours.

So, if your state requires 20 contact hours, this can also be referred to as 2 CEUs. 

It’s still best to check how your state defines the terms. 

Is Nursing CE Expensive?

Yes and no – It depends on where you’re employed, what type of CE you’re trying to get, and who the CE providers are.

If you’re working for a big hospital or facility, there is a high chance that your employers will provide free CE or will pay for your CE elsewhere. 

It’s also possible that they will let you pay for the training, but offer incentives to employees that complete certain training. 

Your state’s board of nursing may also provide some free or cheaper training, especially for mandated CE courses. 

You can also find free or cheaper CE online. 

But of course, if you’re going for more specialized training, or if you want to upgrade your nursing license (e.g. from LPN to RN, or from RN to APRN), then this will entail higher costs. 

You can always think of CE as an investment, though. The more skilled you are, the higher the chances of job promotion or bigger salary. 

You can choose to pay for more expensive CE now, and reap the rewards later on. 

What Should I Do After I Complete Training?

After you complete some contact hours, you may feel a sense of relief and success… 

That’s great! 

But DON’T FORGET to keep a record of all your certificates. 

If your training was completed online, you may get an online certificate of completion. 

You may also have physical copies of other certificates. 

It’s important to keep track of all these certificates in one folder (either physical or electronic… or both!)

This will help you keep track of how many hours you’ve already accomplished and how many more you need.

You may also be asked to submit these as proof during the renewal of your license or during license audits.

It’s also great to keep your professional portfolio for job promotions or if you want to look for another job. 

Conclusion 

There you have it!

We’ve seen that continuing education is vital for all nurses, both personally and professionally. 

You need to keep up-to-date with all the advancing knowledge and developments in the medical field. 

Your patients are also relying on you to give them the best and safest nursing care. 

Most states require you to take nursing CE, but even if they don’t, it would be best for you to pursue it on your own. 

Gotta love learning! 

We hope this article will help you as you continue your nursing journey.