Last-Minute CEUs for Nurses: Explainer and FAQs
Is your nursing license up for renewal soon? If you haven’t completed your competency credits, it might be time to squeeze in some last-minute CEUs.
The healthcare system relies on credentials and licensure to ensure that professionals have the essential skills and knowledge for their role. To maintain your credentials, you typically need to complete continuing education units (CEUs).
Luckily, there are hundreds of resources online to help you complete your required education — from webinars to self-paced courses to remote classes. Here’s what to know about CEUs and how to get them quickly.
What Are CEUs?
CEUs are a nationally recognized measure of time spent on professional development and education. One CEU hour is equivalent to 10 hours of instruction, typically in a structured learning environment like a class or seminar.
This gets confusing in the nursing profession because the term CEU is often used interchangeably with CE (continuing education). A single CEU is actually 10 CEs, so the distinction is important. And while CEUs are typically awarded for more structured activities, CEs may be given for a wider range of things, including attending nursing conferences, completing self-study guides, and more.
What’s even more confusing is that each state nurse licensing board and credentialing body may have its own language for continuing competency requirements. One state might use CE hours, another might use contact hours, and some might use CE credits. However, their purpose is the same — to ensure that professionals have completed a certain amount of professional development hours per renewal period.
Who Needs CEUs?
Healthcare professionals need CEUs to maintain both state licensure and professional certifications. Here are some of the professional titles that typically require CEUs or another measure of continuing competency for renewal:
- Registered nurse (RN)
- Licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Physician assistant (PA)
- Occupational therapist (OT)
- Social worker (LCSW)
- Dentist
- Physical therapist
If you also have a nursing certification with an approaching renewal, you may need to get additional last-minute CEUs. Certification requirements typically include continuing competency that pertains to your credential, but the good news is that you can often use the same credits towards your practice license and your certification.
What CEU Provider Should I Choose?
Be sure that you select an education provider that your credentialing organization will accept. State nursing boards sometimes require that CE providers be accredited by certain organizations, depending on your region and profession. Here are some examples of organizations that offer accreditation for CEU providers:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
Depending on the credential you’re renewing, your competency credits may need to pertain to your specialty and role. For example, if you’re a respiratory nurse, you’ll likely need to complete different activities than someone who’s looking for last-minute CEUs for respiratory therapists (RTs).
How to Get CEUs Quickly
Stressed about completing your competency requirements? Here’s how to get those CEUs done in three simple steps.
Step 1: Understand Your Competency Requirements
First, go to the website of your licensing or certifying organization and be sure you understand the requirements, like:
- How many continuing education hours or credits you need to complete
- Any qualifying information you need, such as accreditation or specialty area
Additionally, think back on any competency activities you’ve already completed within your renewal period. For example, some in-service training qualifies as CEs or CEUs. If you’ve had to complete specialty unit training, such as earning an NIHSS certification, this may count for competency credit as well. If you can document these activities with certifications or a sign-off from an instructor, you can typically count them towards your renewal requirements.
Step 2: Evaluate Providers and Choose the Right Format
Since you’re in a time crunch, it’s best to look for last-minute CEUs online, rather than an in-person class format. Look for options that are self-paced or offer immediate certificates upon completion. Many websites even let you filter by course length, so you can pick something that fits your schedule.
As you’re evaluating options, be sure you land on the page of an accredited CEU provider for your credential. There are many websites advertising free CEUs or fast CEUs, but just because you can get credits cheaply and quickly doesn’t mean they’ll be valid for your credential. Take your time evaluating these providers to be sure they meet your needs.
If you’re a member of any professional organization, you may be able to access competency credits for free. Organizations like the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and many state nurses associations offer this benefit.
Step 3: Complete and Document Your CEUs
Once you’ve picked your credits, you may need to pay a fee before you can access course content and go through the material. Most providers also require an email address so they can send your completion documents once you’re done.
After you’ve completed your competency credits, keep a dated file of your documents so you can provide proof that your requirements are done. While most state nursing boards don’t require proof of CEUs when you renew, you’ll need to provide this documentation if you are audited. Keep these files for at least four years.
Continuing Education Unit FAQs
Can you get last-minute CEUs free?
You can, but be sure that the educational provider you choose meets your credentialing organizations’ requirements. For example, your state board of nursing may only accept credits from providers who are accredited by the ANCC.
While free CEUs are out there, they can be time-consuming to pursue. Free credits are typically offered one CE at a time, so if you have to complete 30 of them, this can take a while. If you’re on a time crunch, it may be more efficient to purchase a package of CEUs rather than piecing together free contact hours.
Do you put CEUs on a resume?
Yes, you can include CEUs on your resume, especially if they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for. Listing CEUs can showcase your commitment to professional growth and that you stay up to date with the latest in nursing practice. Include them in a “Certifications” or “Professional Development” section, noting the course name, provider, and date of completion.
Careers for Nursing Professionals
After completing your last-minute CEUs, take the next step in your career. Find your ideal nursing role when you create a job seeker account with IntelyCare.