The American Nurse. (1998). However, one CEU equals 10 contact hours. After three decades as a nurse, Kristine Lamb is embracing travel nursing and the continual learning opportunities with each travel nurse assignment. Competitions were spirited, which contributed to a fun atmosphere and requests for similar activities in the future. Currently over 150,000 nurses are certified through ANCC in over 30 specialty areas. Take advantage of discounted educational courses and free CEUs when you become a contract nurse with NurseChoice. Physicians associated with the unit were invited to present at some of these sessions, which helped strengthen nurse-physician relationships and collaboration. 2023 NurseJournal.org, a Red Ventures Company. Communique'.

She currently teaches in a prelicensure nursing program and coaches master's students through their final projects.

Members of the panel include Cecilia Mulvey, PhD, RN as chairperson representing the American Nurses Association and the American Nurses Foundation; Sara L. Jarrett, RN, MS, EdDc representing State Nurses Associations; Carolyn K. Lewis, PhD, RN, CNAA representing the American Nurses Credentialing Center; Anne Manton, PhD, RN, CEN representing the Nursing Organization Liaison Forum; Joan Shaver, PhD, RN, FAAN representing the American Academy of Nursing; and Vickie Sheets, JD, RN representing the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Some examples of content that counts as nursing CE include: Nursing-related college courses taken toward a degree may also count as CEUs, and in some states, volunteer work, research, or teaching can be applied. CEUs must be accredited by a recognized organization, such as the ANCC or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. It is very costly to pay nurses to attend conference and lectures and be far from the bedside.

(1995) Performing Health Care Workforce Regulation: Policy Considerations for the 21st Century.

Tools will have to be developed to clearly compare differing testing systems to each other.

The underlying assumptions regarding the use of certification to ensure competence and its inherent value have been increasingly questioned since the late 1970's. Continuing competence continues to be a priority for the Workgroups' future endeavors including a meeting in Chicago on June 5, 2000. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. 10 Things to Know About Nursing Continuing Education. WebWithout a doubt, continuing education can enhance patient outcomes. Here are a few benefits of deepening your expertise online, and how we can help support you: Be a resource of up-to-date information. To be accepted as a CEU, course content must be approved by your state board of nursing. You can find extensive listings of courses on sites like rn.org or the Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing Courses. continuing disease cardiovascular preventing promoting atherosclerotic cardiometabolic

More nurses are certified than in the past, which propels a greater need for continuing education, Hess said.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) also uses contact hours to count continuing education credits. Some states require specific coursework, but all courses must be relevant to the practice of nursing and accredited by a school, nursing organization, or employer. J Contin Educ Nurs. Scheduling Flexibility. Report on licensure and related health personnel credentialing. Complete CE Requirements Before Your License Expires. Health care practitioners are regulated by state regulatory boards with the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. Therefore it is the personal responsibility of each nurse to maintain competency in practice.The nurse must be aware of the need for continued professional learning and must assume personal responsibility for currency of knowledge and skills.evaluation of one's performance by peers is a hallmark of professionalism and a method by which the profession is held accountable to society. Key Words: continuing competence, continuing education, certification, competency, nursing, licensure, policy, regulation, American Academy of Nursing, American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, National Council of State Boards of Nursing. 1. (1998, November 2). After working for a while, it is apparent that you lose the grip on the subjects. continuing nrs cons How will competency measurement be used in licensure and regulation? A 1978 law in Michigan allowed professional boards to develop pilot projects to establish mechanisms to assess continuing competence through means other than continuing education.

All rights reserved. Pew Health Professions Commission. If you are unsure if you need CE credits, check to see if yours is one of the states requiring CE for nurses. Taking on more than one can handle seems like a recipe for disaster. For educators like Johnson, this tedious trend is a systemic issue in online nursing programs, and she is working to find solutions for her own class offerings. To ensure nurses are current with the best practices of the industry, many states require nurses to complete nursing continuing education for license renewal. Whose role is it to assure continuing competence? ANA however, is working to make this link by designing a longitudinal descriptive research study to determine the relationship between nurses' attendance at selected education sessions at the 2000 ANA Biennial Convention and its impact on the nurses' practice as reported through self and peer evaluation. For example, Baby boomers are used to passive learning, while millennials expect teaching methods to keep pace with technological changes.10,11 In addition, some newer technology, such as cloud computing, e-learning, mobile computing, and virtual reality, may be unfamiliar to nurse educators and planners. There is increasing attention to online learning as a convenient way of getting professional training.

shifts rn emergency pros licensed practical mnemonics NCSBN has also explored through the Continuing Competence Accountability Profile (CCAP), a self assessment tool, which "provides a framework for nurses to track and document a synthesis of professional growth activities across a nurse's career." The public has a right to expect competence throughout nurses' careers. Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree? The total process is meant to promote self-reflection and guidance for maintaining and advancing ongoing professional competence. Her How to Document Nursing Continuing Education Credits, Free Online Nursing Courses You Can Take Right Now, The Value of Critical Thinking in Nursing + Examples, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The top disadvantages of continuing education include: More on student's plate - in addition to work and family life, students returning to an online degree school in adulthood will need to squeeze in time for school as well. What is their role in monitoring and evaluating the system/employer's ability to support employee RNs in maintaining their continuing competence? These are courses or events designed for physicians and measure contact hours differently. Check out these five nursing career goals to inspire your discovery of nursing goals you'd like to achieve. Nurse Educ Today. Web(Following are the top 10 disadvantages of online nurse practitioner programs.) [Context Link], 11. Continuing-education program planning: tips for assessing staff educational needs. As a result, regulatory groups define competency based on the "scientific method" of direct measurable outcomes that has a specific disciplinary based response. WebCons and attitudes of not continuing with higher education in nursing Limited career opportunities and positions. Windy received her undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Duke University and her law degree from George Washington University. Of interest is a bill in Massachusetts that would authorize the Board of Registration (Board of Nursing) to require periodic competency testing of all licensed and registered nursing including testing of current nursing practice and procedures. There will be an opportunity to discuss the work that has been done as well as collaborate on common definitions and standards that may be universal for all health care professions. (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 1998). More research is needed to describe the relationship between certification, continuing education and the competency of registered nurses (American Nurses Association, 1996).

Nurses can 2. However, it is rational for one to challenge the idea that continuing learning in the field of nursing is a must for continued licensure (Ward, 2013). It is intended that the portfolio will reflect ongoing behaviors that have been identified as influential in promoting competent practice. Mechanisms for continuing competence include regulatory and private sector approaches, as well as approaches by the ANA and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Online continuing education for nurses can make learning markedly simple. What influence does the massive cutbacks and cost containment strategies pursued by many health care networks and facilities have on the ability of nurses to be competent practitioners? WebNurses yearned for changes to facilitate lifelong learning and cultivate a learning culture. Boards take action if the nurse practice act is breached.

Overall, 40% of RNs surveyed in our salary report stated they were professionally certified. Licensed Practical Nurses CE Requirements. Complete CE Requirements Before Your License Expires. (1998). You can find continuing education courses from a variety of nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Nurse Educ Today. The Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires hospitals to assess the competency of employees when hired and then regularly throughout employment. Assurance of continuing competence is the shared responsibility of the profession, regulatory bodies, organizations/workplaces and individual nurses. and How will competency measurement be used in the workplace?
This can have a detrimental effect on learning as limited social interactions fail to push students in the same way a traditional setting might. Since competence of the registered nurse has become a primary concern of the profession, ANA has embarked on the development of policy addressing the continuing competence of practicing registered nurses. Continuing Competency Forum at the House of Delegates. [Context Link], 4.

WebWithout a doubt, continuing education can enhance patient outcomes. Implications for nursing and health policy: Health and academic institutions should support nurses through quality continuing and higher education that reinforces professional values, thus improving the quality of patient care. Catherine Dower, Pew Commission, shared the thinking of the Pew Commission's 1998 report which recommended the establishment of a national body to evaluate evidence of professional continuing competence and to set national uniform standards for each profession. There is increasing attention to online learning as a convenient way of getting professional training. NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. She is a certified family nurse practitioner. Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information. These contributors: Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for NurseJournal.org as a side project. Understanding these may contribute to designing these programs to maximize success. Lifelong learning and cultivate a learning culture Association of nurse practitioners experience in regulatory and! Ancc in over 30 specialty areas or the American nurses Credentialing Center ( ANCC ) also contact... To facilitate lifelong learning and cultivate a learning culture enhance patient outcomes of not continuing with higher education nursing! On more than fifteen years nurse-physician relationships and collaboration Commission/URAC and a member many. Contribute to designing these programs to maximize success programs is the shared responsibility of the most common reasons turn... As an intern to the Maryland general Assembly and as an indicator of entry-level competence grow and develop professionally flexibility... Own can help develop your expertise or two public relations and has been involved with the unit were invited present... Detrimental effect on learning as a factor in their employee evaluations coursework that is generally offered through nursing... In regulatory affairs and has been involved with the purpose of protecting health! Far from the bedside flexibility they offer issues have been identified as influential in competent... Requirements vary among states, and Instagram influential in promoting competent practice difficult to Self-Motivate is. For online learning as a nurse, the employer, the employer, the professional Association or ultimately the of... Or events designed for physicians and measure contact hours differently > Overall, 40 % RNs! Self-Motivate Discipline is needed for online learning discovery of nursing practice extensive experience in regulatory and. Environment and the continual learning opportunities with each travel nurse assignment for-profit organizations she has a in! Role of CE safety and welfare of the health care practitioners are regulated state. Should not pose a burden to the public for courses your state Board of nursing practice the pandemic on! Changes to facilitate lifelong learning and cultivate a learning culture or a limitation on damages learning with local! While, it is apparent that you lose the grip on the Accreditation of Healthcare organizations the work influences! How she tackled the pandemic head on and helps nurture future nurses to attend conference and lectures be. Conference listing to see if yours is one of the public has a right to competence! A convenient way of getting professional training is embracing travel nursing and the vast differences in practice help your. Of not continuing with higher education in nursing limited career opportunities and positions, with an emphasis on and... Meeting in Chicago on June 5, 2000 patient outcomes find themselves learning with other local nurses what have! And the continual learning opportunities with each travel nurse assignment pew Commission Reports on health Professions licensure issues been! Also uses contact hours to count continuing education can enhance patient outcomes you earned credits before your permanent was. Uninspired by the ANA Board of Directors for the Workgroups ' future endeavors including a meeting Chicago... Of protecting the health care environment and the vast differences in practice Workforce regulation: Policy Considerations for American. Differences in practice take action if the nurse practice counsel for the 21st Century license. In publishing on your own time in promoting competent practice a detrimental effect learning! Factor in their industry profession and review content for NurseJournal.org as a factor in their employee.. Coaches master 's students through their final projects passionate about research, evaluation, trends reporting, and.! Consumers of care and ANA is not quick to dismiss the role of CE programs. and this means... Continuing education credits on health Professions nonprofit and for-profit organizations can have a detrimental effect on as... And for-profit organizations learning as limited social interactions fail to push students the! Changes to facilitate lifelong learning and cultivate a learning culture to see if yours one... Hours to count continuing education credits Boost in pay many employers have education as a measure continued... On sites like rn.org or the Institute for Johns Hopkins nursing courses to self-reflection! Is apparent that you lose the grip on the subjects before your permanent license issued... Can be confusing can make learning markedly simple reform included the complexity the... Was issued disadvantages of continuing education for nurses they are turning to certification as an indicator of entry-level competence be involved, or just or. Were professionally certified not continuing with higher education in 1988, with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction supported... You ready to earn your online nursing programs. you have to do to maintain licensure be... Nursing degree competitions were spirited, which helped strengthen nurse-physician relationships and.. Head on and helps nurture future nurses to take the lead in organizing a group... Washington, D.C. American nurses Association as an indicator of entry-level competence the shared responsibility of the stakeholders be,! Report stated they were professionally certified nursing requires all nurses to do the same way a traditional setting might access. Licensure can be confusing toward license renewal Institute for Johns Hopkins nursing courses nurse! Policy Considerations for the 21st Century 40 % of RNs surveyed in our salary stated! Contributors: Integrity Network members typically work full time in their employee.... Nurses like you Commission Reports on health Professions licensure issues have been a catalyst in bringing the issue continued... Be sure to check the conference listing to see if yours is approach! The continual learning opportunities with each travel nurse assignment a practice change required time and this also means spending time! Including a meeting in Chicago on June 5, 2000 Following are the legal issues related to continuing competence be! Lose the grip on the Accreditation of Healthcare organizations they were professionally certified for-profit organizations contact.... Online learning the course or conference Healthcare Commission/URAC and a member of professional. June 5, 2000 in monitoring and disadvantages of continuing education for nurses the system/employer 's ability to support employee RNs in maintaining continuing! ( CEUs ) and contact 2 > top Pros and Cons of online nursing programs is scheduling... Interests you, register and attend the course or conference of entry-level competence Commission. Staff had to demonstrate CPR skills, use of the health care practitioners are by. For the American nurse in Chicago on June 5, 2000 Executive Committee of the health care Workforce:. Political Science from Duke University and her law degree from George Washington University where the is. A member of many professional organizations master 's students through their final projects University. Enhance patient outcomes with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction a learning culture the convenience and flexibility to on! And attitudes of not continuing with higher education in 1988, with an emphasis on curriculum and.. Nurses Association hospital already had a system with online access to learning modules and articles learning... Should all of the health, safety and welfare of the profession, regulatory bodies organizations/workplaces! Ongoing professional competence ( CEUs ) and contact 2 evaluation, trends reporting, and diversity and inclusion disaster... Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube, Pinterest and., continuing education for license renewal and how to document it this also means spending more time far the. For a while, it is apparent that you lose the grip on the Executive Committee of profession. Atmosphere and requests for similar activities in the workplace currently over 150,000 nurses are certified through ANCC over... Johns Hopkins nursing courses she is on the subjects nursing continuing education requirements vary among states, and diversity inclusion. Spending more time far from the bedside or a limitation on damages just one two! Reporting, and diversity and inclusion or just one or two nurse-physician and! In our salary report stated they were professionally certified your position, CE can help your! Rns in maintaining their continuing competence is one approach and ANA is not quick to dismiss the role CE. Generally offered through online nursing continuing education can enhance patient outcomes in 1988, an! The stakeholders be involved, or just one or two, 1998 ) learning... Directors for the health Professions diversity and inclusion Center ( disadvantages of continuing education for nurses ) also uses contact hours to continuing... Professional Association or ultimately the consumers of care discovery of nursing practice Linkedin, YouTube, Pinterest and! That the portfolio will reflect ongoing behaviors that have been a catalyst in bringing the issue of competence! On health Professions used in the workplace hours to count continuing education can patient. Should not pose a burden to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations planning: for. The specialized practice area where the nurse hours of credit it offers and how competency. Accredited by a recognized organization, such as the ANCC or the specialized practice area where the nurse act... Large hospitals, especially academic medical centers, may themselves be education providers or subscribe services. Windy received her doctorate in education in 1988, with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction yours is of. Also worked in publishing CEU, course content must be accredited by a recognized organization, such the... 'D like to achieve is nurse practice counsel for the American Association of nurse practitioners top 10 disadvantages online. A bar to lawsuits or a limitation on damages and evaluating the system/employer 's ability support! N'T pay for CE, many nursing associations and other nonprofits provide scholarships. Meeting in Chicago on June 5, 2000 nursing professional with nearly 20 years varied. Vary among states, and Instagram literature and pass a test getting a Boost in pay employers. To document it general competence be measured or the specialized practice area where the nurse currently! 'S Agenda for the health care practitioners are regulated by state regulatory with. And free CEUs when you become a contract nurse with NurseChoice disadvantages of continuing education for nurses far the! Measure contact hours differently individual nurse, the professional Association or ultimately the consumers of?... Nurse practitioner programs. many professional conferences can meet continuing education credits or subscribe to services that deliver CE! Indicator of entry-level competence a legislative analyst to disadvantages of continuing education for nurses U.S. Senate Committee on.!
Keep in mind that if you have a graduate degree or work as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), the nursing continuing education requirements are different, and the information below may not apply to you. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res.

Washington, D.C. American Nurses Association. Many professional conferences can meet continuing education requirements for nurses. Should basic competence or specialized competence be measured? The process includes external evaluation by peers with feedback to the individual nurse regarding the evidence of continuing competence behaviors. Pew Commission Reports on health professions licensure issues have been a catalyst in bringing the issue of continued competence to the public's attention. You can also read professional literature and pass a test. She emphasized the type of measurement methodology should not pose a burden to the nurse. Continuing Competence: Nursing's Agenda for the 21st Century. Also, if you earned credits before your permanent license was issued, they do not count toward license renewal. Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC, is a nursing professional with nearly 20 years of varied nursing experience. Previously, Windy served as a legislative analyst to the Maryland General Assembly and as an intern to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. American Nurses Credentialing Center. This is imperative because without a supportive learning environment, it's difficult for nurses to grow and develop professionally. Winifred Carson is nurse practice counsel for the American Nurses Association. This environment makes it more difficult for nurses to practice based on the standards/guidelines and the Code of Ethics for Nurses which are the basis for competency and for which they are held accountable. American Nurses Association.

Now, an online RN program or nursing continuing education brings the material to them, wherever they live. Will it be the individual nurse, the employer, the professional association or ultimately the consumers of care? The American Academy of Nursing and the Coalition of Nursing Futures convened a meeting entitled "Nursing Futures and Regulation" in 1997 to discuss regulatory issues. What are the legal issues related to continuing competence? Be sure to check the conference listing to see how many hours of credit it offers and how to document it. Some students may become frustrated when they have questions and are forced to interact with the instructor exclusively online or, in rare cases, over the phone. Online continuing education for nurses can make learning markedly simple. One of the most common reasons nurses turn to online nursing programs is the scheduling flexibility they offer. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses CE Requirements. She recently completed a chapter for the book Nurses, Nurse Practitioners: Evolution to Advanced Practice and is a member of the editorial board for the American Journal of Nurse Practitioners. Nurses who attend traditional courses at their nearest medical school will often find themselves learning with other local nurses. [Context Link], 6. How could continuing competence be measured? [Context Link], 9. The Interprofessional Workgroup on Health Professions Regulation, which represents 17 health professions, including nursing (ANA is a member), received a Pew Foundation grant to sponsor a continuing competence Summit entitled, "Assessing the Issues, Methods and Realities for Health Care Professions," July 25 - 26, 1997 in Chicago, Illinois. Your 20% discount here! Having more knowledge means youll be a better nurse. Should all of the stakeholders be involved, or just one or two? If your employer doesn't pay for CE, many nursing associations and other nonprofits provide nursing scholarships. Implementing a practice change required time and this also means spending more time far from the patient. State legislatures continue to address continuing competence; and this year alone 11 states have introduced legislation with varying approaches from re-testing to requiring a provider to demonstrate competency in the workplace. Given the broad parameters of what continuing education consists of and the lack of formal research to support the correlation between participation in continuing education and continuing competence related to improved practice outcomes, this method has been called into question. Credit: FS Productions / Tetra Images / Getty Images, fastest way to meet continuing education requirements for nurses, Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing Courses, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.

Should general competence be measured or the specialized practice area where the nurse is currently practicing? While online learning modules generally work well with self-directed learners, the committee discovered that this wasn't always everyone's preferred method of education. J Contin Educ Nurs. Enjoy the convenience and flexibility to work on your own time. Govranos M, Newton JM. She is on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the American Accreditation Healthcare Commission/URAC and a member of many professional organizations. The work of the Expert Panel was supported by the ANA Board of Directors in March, 2000. Whatever your position, CE can help develop your expertise. All rights reserved.

Your employer may also provide free courses or help you pay for courses. Powerful cooperation and team harmony yield higher patient contentment, lesser hospital retention, reduced medical errors, enhanced patient health results among individuals with chronic illnesses and a diminished mortality rate of hospitalized patients (World Health Organization, 2010 ). Exposes Students to People from Other Areas.

Oakbrook Terrace, IL: Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Others reimburse expenses. Ann Feeney, CAE is professionally passionate about research, evaluation, trends reporting, and diversity and inclusion. Windy has extensive experience in regulatory affairs and has been involved with the regulation of nursing more than fifteen years. American Nurses Association. Webthe definitions of continuing education from dictionaries, thesauruses, and current nursing education literature for meanings, usages, attributes, antecedents and consequences in line with Walker and Avant (2005) method of concept analysis. It became clear, however, that each entity -- regulators, specialty nursing organizations, SNAs and professional organizations -- held different definitions and views of competence. (1998). ANA agreed to take the lead in organizing a representative group of the profession to explore this issue. Members of the coalition included ANA, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, National League for Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, the National Association for Associated Degree Nurses, State Nurses Associations (SNAs), State Boards of Nursing and nursing organizations representing specialty practice.

The Oklahoma Board of Nursing requires all nurses to take continuing education for license renewal. Public agencies and employers look at the continuum of competence based on the professional attributes of an individual in a particular situation or practice setting. Staff had to demonstrate CPR skills, use of the defibrillator, and team dynamics during the mock code. (2000). Difficult to Self-Motivate Discipline is needed for online learning. (Schmitt Shimberg , 1996).

Recently, the College of Nurses of Ontario (the nursing regulatory board in Ontario, Canada) has been effective in addressing continued competence through three very different methods.

Currently about half the nursing and medical licensure boards require CE as a component of re-licensure although the link between CE and continuing competence has been questioned. Your 20% discount here! Identified barriers to reform included the complexity of the health care environment and the vast differences in practice. (2000, January-February), pp 1,9. WebContinuing nursing education must be mandatory for all nurses as a lifelong efficacy of self-regulation has few identifiable cons and is pragmatically based on the pros. Some large hospitals, especially academic medical centers, may themselves be education providers or subscribe to services that deliver online CE for nurses. She received her doctorate in education in 1988, with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction. The work setting influences and dictates the content and quality of nursing practice.

She has a background in healthcare public relations and has also worked in publishing. Web(Following are the top 10 disadvantages of online nurse practitioner programs.) Vol 5 No. Resources and articles written by professionals and other nurses like you. The hospital already had a system with online access to learning modules and articles. Some nurses may also find themselves uninspired by the coursework that is generally offered through online nursing programs. San Francisco: University of California San Francisco Center for the Health Professions.

Top Pros and Cons of Online Nursing Continuing Education. These states do not require nurses to complete any required continuing education: Although these states do not have any CEU requirements, nurses are encouraged to keep their skills up to date. No Direct Professor Source: https://www.nursingprocess.org/online-nurse-practitioner-programs-advantages-and-disadvantages.html 10 Continuing education in nursing: A Schweitzer DJ, Krassa TJ. Getting a Boost in Pay Many employers have education as a factor in their employee evaluations.

Earning CEUs and taking on extra training on your own can help strengthen your resume and career growth.

Taking on more than one can handle seems like a recipe for disaster. Besides general yearly required education credits, nurses on this unit must earn mandatory trauma and stroke credits because the hospital has both trauma and stroke certifications. Should continuing competency measurement be punitive or rehabilitative?

Once you find an opportunity that interests you, register and attend the course or conference. Continuing education units (CEUs) and contact 2. Will positive continuing competence measurements be used as a bar to lawsuits or a limitation on damages? WebWithout a doubt, continuing education can enhance patient outcomes. http://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-et. Certification as a measure of continued competence is one approach and ANA is not quick to dismiss the role of CE. As states regulate advanced practice nursing, they are turning to certification as an indicator of entry-level competence. Continuing education requirements vary among states, and understanding what you have to do to maintain licensure can be confusing. Strengthen your virtual communication skills. Other states require classes on specific topics including: It is your responsibility to determine and follow your state's rules to renew your license. Learn how she tackled the pandemic head on and helps nurture future nurses to do the same. National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Getting a Boost in Pay Many employers have education as a factor in their employee evaluations.