Continuing education (CE) is a big part of being a nurse. But earning CE credits is one thing, and really taking advantage of all the ways it can help your career is another. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of nurse continuing education and the best way to approach it to advance your nursing career.
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What Is Nurse Continuing Education (CE)?
Usually just called CE, nurse continuing education is a series of learning or training activities designed to help you build new skills, or better develop the ones you already have. It can also keep you up to date on regulations, new technology or clinical best practices, or changes in equipment or settings.
Nursing CE credits aren't only available in a formal classroom setting, either. Today, they can be earned in many ways, including online classes, webinars, workshops, seminars, conferences, and more.
How does it work? When you take a class, or complete any board-approved learning session, you earn credits. Sometimes called continuing education units, or CEUs, these credits can earn you certifications or even contribute to an advanced degree. And in many states, they're needed to renew your license.
- Does your state require nursing CE for license renewal? Find out here
How to Advance Your Career with Nursing CE
It's been well documented that nursing CE benefits employers and patients by keeping clinical care standards high. But CE benefits nurses in many ways, too. By developing your skills, knowledge, and clinical competencies, nursing CE can:
- Show employers that you’re up to date and fully qualified, helping you earn high marks on performance reviews or even promotions
- Help you develop important soft skills like leadership, adaptability, communication, and teamwork
- Qualify you to work in new settings, which can help you switch specialties or work jobs where you need to be versatile, like float pools or per diem jobs
- Open the door to higher-paying leadership positions
- Show that you're up to speed on the latest technology, including telehealth and remote care systems
- Show that you're up to date on the latest clinical research, or proficient in essential skills like medication safety or developing treatment plans
- Help keep you motivated in your job
- Help you understand the different opportunities open to you and better choose what career you want in the future
- Help you move into related careers like education, case management, administration, IT, or many others
- Give you the confidence to make the best decisions
- Help you raise the standards of care of the facilities you work in and provide better care for patients, including helping avoid errors and adverse events
6 Tips for Getting the Most from Nursing CE
Many employers make a point of making nurse continuing education accessible, paying for classes and giving you time to attend them. Some even offer in-house training or send you to workshops and other events where you can earn credits.
So, it pays to take CE courses — literally! But with so many different options, you'll need a plan to get the most out of them. Here are six steps to take:
1. Set career goals.
What are the best skills to learn for your job today, and for the job you want to be in five years from now? Figuring that out will help you understand the best nurse continuing education classes to take.
2. Set learning goals.
Before you start a specific course, ask yourself exactly what you want to get from it, then check in midway through to make sure you’re on track. This can help you stay focused on learning what you need to succeed.
3. Practice engaged learning.
Getting the most out of CE means engaging with the material actively rather than passively. Called “active learning,” this includes taking notes, asking questions, and revisiting the material before each class to make sure you’re in the best mindset to learn. You can also regroup with other students to talk about each others’ interpretations.
4. Make sure the courses you take are accredited.
There are plenty of free options for nursing CE, and some of them are certainly worthwhile. But make sure that all credits are offered by an accredited provider like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or you may risk taking courses that don’t actually help you renew your license or advance your career.
5. Do your research.
If you're not sure if a class is right for you, a simple online search can help you learn whether it will deliver what it promises. Pay attention to where it's being offered, and whether that organization is reputable or not. You can also search for reviews on places like Reddit, or ask other nurses on Facebook.
6. Keep records and know how to report your credits.
Keep track of every course you finish, including certificates and course descriptions, in case you’re called upon to show proof for a new job or any other reason. In addition, every state has a different way to report the credits you’ve earned, with some requiring you to produce hard copies of certificates. Be on the safe side by keeping a record of everything.
Put Your Nursing Skills to Work with HealthTrust!
Here at HealthTrust, we make it a point to connect nurses like you with the best possible job to match your skills, experience, and personal preferences. So, you know when you work with us that your CE credits will be put to good use! See what's available now — browse hundreds of open nursing jobs here.
