Continuing education units (CEU) for nurses are becoming ubiquitous, but not always for free and often times quite costly.
If you’re getting NurseRegistry’s newsletter you’re already getting a monthly list of free webinars and conferences. If you’re not, subscribe now.
Even with vigilant attendance of conferences, you might find your renewal date approaching and you’re still short some CE contact hours. Here are the best sources for quality continuing education courses and activities.
RN License Renewal
IN THIS ARTICLE
The California Board of Registered Nursing dictates that registered nurses (RNs) must renew their licenses every two years.
The first license will be valid for two birthdays (not two years); thereafter, the license will need to be renewed by the month following the birthdate month. For example, for a nurse born in July, the license will expire at the end of August.
The renewal process involves four major components and can be completed online via BreEze:
- Continuing Education
- Fingerprints
- Reporting Discipline/Convictions
- Renewal Fee
In California, RNs are required to complete 30 contact hours.
LVN License Renewal
The Board of Vocation Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians governs the renewal process for licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California.
The first renewal does not require continuing education, but all other aspects must be completed on BreEze:
- Continuing Education
- Fingerprints
- Reporting Discipline/Convictions
- Renewal Fee
LVNs are required to complete 30 contact hours every two years.
Military Nurses
Military nurses who are called to active duty are exempt from renewal requirements for the duration of the assignment and need not worry about earning a CEU. To qualify for the waiver, nurses must possess a valid license when called to duty and be able to provide proof of being called to duty.
LVNs, see the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians FAQs for Licensure of Military Members and Spouses for more information.
RNs can call the Board of Registered Nursing at (916) 322-3350 for more information.
Are CEU and Contact Hours the same?
Contact hours are the amount of time spent in a course or activity with the instructor. One CE Unit is earned when 10 contact hours are completed. 1 CEU = 10 Contact Hours.
Free Online Nursing CEUs
Incredible Health
Incredible Health offers free online nursing CEUs accredited by the ANCC in topics relevant to the issues and cases nurses face today.
- Coronavirus: Everything Nurses Need to Know
- End of Life Care for Geriatric Patients
- Culturally Competent Care for LGBTQ Patients
- Drains: Everything You Need to Know
- Opiates: How Nurses Can Help Curb the Epidemic
Invita Health
All Invita Health courses are accredited by ACCME, and some are also ANCC approved. Track your progress on their easy to use platform, as you take refresher courses in key topics.
- Cases in Dermatology
- Assessment of Pain
- End of Life Care
Nursing CE
Nursing CE offers three courses for free, all other require payment to download the certificate.
- Tobacco Dependence Treatment
- Civility Matters! Strategies to Inspire Healthy, Productive Work Environments
- Nursing Evidence-Based Practice
Complete CEU Packages
2020 Comprehensive Nursing Update (FREE)
Earn all 30 contact hours in one module from Incredible Health. The course covers a wide variety of topics to keep nurses up to date. Licenses: RNs and LVNs.
Nurse.com
Nurse.com offers affordable California Board of Nursing State CE Requirements Packages. They have one of the most comprehensive list of categories and courses, including one of the most important courses for Home Health Agencies (HHA) OASIS-D and the Comprehensive Assessment in Informatics. The California 30 CE Package is $35 and the unlimited subscription is $49.95.
Nurse CE4Less
A standard California 30 CE Requirements package costs $29, and the Advanced Practice Nursing 30 CE package $57.
Renew Now CE
Renew Now CE’s simple videos that can be viewed on any phone makes it a good option for the busy nurse. The California package costs $45.
Organizations That Offer CE Courses with Membership
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers hundreds of FREE CE activities for members in a wide range of topics:
- Strategies for the Management of Sepsis
- Cardiac Arrest After Cardiac Surgery: An Evidence-Based Resuscitation Protocol
- Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: Phenobarbital Protocol vs. CIWA-Ar Protocol
- Guideline Update: Addressing Immobility and Sleep Disruption
American Nursing Association (ANA)
The American Nursing Association’s course offerings are quite costly, but they do offer a discounted price for members, often between 10-30% off the normal price tag.
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