News :Earning CE Credits to Further Your Career

Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Learning doesn’t stop when you get your degree or license. A commitment to your profession as a nurse requires a lifelong commitment to education. It’s important to keep up with new developments in nursing and medicine.

Continuing education (CE) programs provide the opportunity to increase your knowledge, improve patient care and advance your professional development. Many states now mandate annual or biennial CE credit requirements for licensing and certification renewal.

Many universities, community colleges, and nursing schools offer continuing education workshops, seminars, and programs for nurses. The addition of online courses to most programs offers necessary scheduling flexibility for busy nursing professionals. Online classes (and correspondence courses, when offered) allow coursework to be conveniently scheduled around work and family commitments. Students and instructors communicate via web discussion forums, e-mail, and chat sessions.

Professional organizations and government health agencies are another good source of web-based courses, podcasts (online seminars), and articles available for CE credit. On its WomensHealth website, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides a list of links to continuing education resource sites. The American Nurses Association (ANA) offers select free CE modules to members.

When selecting a CE course, make certain it is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and your state’s certification or nursing board. Note that some states require that CE credits for certification or licensing be accomplished in prescribed disciplines.

Your employer may also offer opportunities to earn CE credits. Maxim Healthcare Services offers continuing education programs at many local offices. Web-based courses provide easy access to more than 400 ANCC accredited courses in more than 30 subject categories. Transcripts and certificates of completion can be printed from your desktop. For a list of CE subject areas, visit the Maxim Healthcare website. To participate, contact your local Maxim Healthcare office.