The Nurse’s Guide to Continuing Education
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Credit: FS Productions / Tetra Images / Getty ImagesNursing is a constantly changing profession, and nurses must commit to being lifelong learners so patients receive the best care possible. Most states require continuing education (CE) for nurses to maintain their licenses and stay up to date with best practices.
Check with your state board of nursing to determine the number and types of nursing CE credits or units (CEUs) you need to renew your license.
Explore the required continuing education for nurses, different types of continuing education, and how to pay for or find free nursing CE courses.
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Continuing Education for Nurses Explained
Nursing continuing education is an ongoing learning activity typically required by state nursing boards to maintain your nursing license and ensure you’re keeping up with the latest knowledge in your field. These educational credits or hours may include formal courses, peer-reviewed content, workshops, conferences, and online programs. Nursing CE helps ensure high standards of nursing practice and helps nurses to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape.
You can find appropriate CE opportunities through professional nursing associations, nursing schools, course directories, or peer-reviewed publications. Choose CE programs based on subject matter, wider career goals, and learning preferences. Many nursing CE credits require you to pass a test at the end of the learning module.
Most states require CE to maintain your license, but the number of credits or hours vary. Some states also require CEUs for specific topics. Check with your state board of nursing to find the nursing continuing education requirements in your state.
Required Nursing CEs Based on Your Nursing Degree
The number of CE hours required to renew your nursing license can range from zero in several states, including Arizona, up to 24 hours of CE in Washington, D.C. Nursing CE requirements may also vary by license or certification level — licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and nurse practitioner (NP), for example.
In one U.S. jurisdiction — Washington, D.C. — LPNs, RNs, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) must renew their licenses every two years. LPNs must complete 18 CE hours, and RNs must finish 24 CE hours. LPNs and RNs must complete two CE hours specifically devoted to LGBTQ topics and three hours devoted to public health. APRNs must complete 24 hours of CE, including 15 related to pharmacology and related topics.
If you have a national certification, you may need more CEUs than your state requires. And, some of your CEs will likely need to be in your speciality. Check the websites of the national and state agencies that manage your certification for details.
Why Continuing Education for Nurses Is Important
Nursing CE provides the necessary education and knowledge to apply the latest developments in nursing care. Advancements in healthcare technology, cultural competence, and an increased focus on wellness and prevention are widening the healthcare system, which requires an increasing knowledge base to improve patient outcomes.
Continuing education for nurses also protects healthcare institutions from legal liability. Additionally, you can use CE hours to help you develop skills for your next career move.
CE courses for nurses can cover similar topics in nursing school, including health promotion, communication, leadership, and legal and ethical aspects of nursing. Whatever your current or aspired position, CE can help develop your expertise.
Types of Continuing Education
- Annual healthcare employee requirements
- State-mandated nurse CE
- Professional development activities
Continuing Education Formats
- Conferences
- Live classes
- Online classes
- Online and live webinars
- Self-study educational packets
Who Provides Continuing Education for Nurses?
There are various nonprofit and for-profit organizations that develop accredited continuing education courses to further nursing knowledge and competence.
Abbott Nutrition Health Institute Courses
This nonprofit provides free continuing education for nurses through online courses on nutrition, including infant nutrition, nutrition after surgery, and related topics.
Nurse.com
Nurse.com hosts free continuing education courses for nurses on career topics and nursing practice. Most provide one or 1.5 hours of credit.
The Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing Courses
Johns Hopkins offers free and paid online courses on particular conditions, such as HIV, multiple sclerosis, and general nursing practice.
NurseCEU.com
This website publishes lists of continuing education units, including a section on free continuing education for nurses. You can search the listings by topic.
RN.org
This site offers unlimited CEU courses for an annual fee of $19.95. Topics include preparing for bioterrorism, medical errors, and smoking cessation; they also cover specific health conditions or concerns.
Nursing CE Central
Every state board of nursing has approved the CEs offered by Nursing CE Central. After selecting your state, you receive a renewal package, including unlimited access to the CE library and courses required by the state.
Paying for Nursing Continuing Education
Continuing education prices range from free to several hundred dollars. Many employers pay or share the cost of continuing education for nurses. Some large hospitals, especially academic medical centers, may be CE providers or subscribe to services that deliver online CE credits. Other employers will reimburse your expenses. Many nursing associations and other nonprofits provide nursing scholarships when employers do not pay for CE.
Alternative Ways to Fulfill Nursing Continuing Education Requirements
Some states — but not all — have alternative methods you can consider. Although one of the following programs may state it carries CE credit, be sure to check with your Board of Nursing to ensure it is approved.
- Academic courses: Higher education coursework may count toward nursing CE credits when they meet the state criteria.
- Certification programs: Specialty certification tests may include continuing education credits.
- In-Service Training: In-service training by employers may carry continuing education for nurses when the employer has the program accredited.
- Publishing: Publishing in a professional journal may earn continuing education credits in some states.
- Volunteering: Certain volunteer activities involving public health initiatives or public education may qualify, depending on your state.
Nursing Continuing Education Accreditation
Like nursing school accreditation, CEU accreditation confirms that continuing education courses for nurses provide reliable, evidence-based information and are delivered in an appropriate format.
You can find accredited programs from state-approved providers and professional associations. Qualifying education must be accredited by one of several nursing organizations, including:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- State Nursing Boards
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
- National League for Nursing (NLN)
- Various other professional nursing associations, including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
Nursing Continuing Education Requirements by State
Each state holds different continuing education requirements for nurses. Below describes the number of contact hours each state requires for continued licensing. Many states include additional requirements or accept alternate forms of education, such as a refresher course. Check your state board of nursing for specifics.
- Alabama: 24 contact hours every two years
- Alaska: 30 contact hours every two years
- Arizona: No state requirement
- Arkansas: 15 contact hours every two years
- California: 30 contact hours every two years
- Colorado: No state requirement
- Connecticut: No state requirement
- Delaware: 30 contact hours every two years
- Florida: 24 contact hours every two years
- Georgia: 30 contact hours every two years
- Hawaii: 30 contact hours every two years
- Idaho: 15 contact hours every two years
- Illinois: 20 contact hours every two years
- Indiana: No state requirement
- Iowa: 36 contact hours every three years
- Kansas: 30 contact hours every two years
- Kentucky: 14 contact hours every year
- Louisiana: 30 contact hours every two years
- Maine: No state requirement
- Maryland: No state requirement
- Massachusetts: 15 contact hours every two years
- Michigan: 25 contact hours every two years
- Minnesota: 24 contact hours every two years
- Mississippi: 20 contact hours every two years
- Missouri: No state requirement
- Montana: 24 contact hours every two years
- Nebraska: 20 contact hours every two years
- Nevada: 30 contact hours every two years
- New Hampshire: 30 contact hours every two years
- New Jersey: 30 contact hours every two years
- New Mexico: 30 contact hours every two years
- New York: Infection control every four years
- North Carolina: 30 contact hours every two years
- North Dakota: 12 contact hours every two years
- Ohio: 24 contact hours every two years
- Oklahoma: 24 contact hours every two years
- Oregon: One-time 7 hours requirement of pain management
- Pennsylvania: 30 contact hours every two years
- Rhode Island: 10 contact hours every two years
- South Carolina: 30 contact hours every two years
- South Dakota: No state requirement
- Tennessee: 5 contact hours every two years and other evidence of additional learning
- Texas: 20 contact hours every two years
- Utah: 30 contact hours every two years
- Vermont: No state requirement
- Virginia: 30 contact hours every two years
- Washington D.C.: 24 contact hours every two years
- Washington: 45 contact hours every three years
- West Virginia: 12 contact hours every year
- Wisconsin: No state requirement
- Wyoming: No state requirement for nurses working full-time
Source: NetCE
Frequently Asked Questions About Continuing Education for Nurses
Continuing education (CE) is the ongoing learning nurses must complete throughout their careers to maintain their nursing license. CE helps nurses stay current with advancing scientific and clinical knowledge, technology, techniques, cultural competence, and more. You can obtain CEs in online courses, workshops, conferences, reading materials, and more.
Page last reviewed August 8, 2024
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