RN CEUS

Best Topics for an RN Nurse to Take a Course On
A Registered Nurse (RN) is a health care professional who has graduated from a nursing program or hospital diploma program with an RN degree and has passed all of the licensing exams that are required for registration. With over 2.5 million practicing RNs in the United States, registered nurses represent the biggest group of healthcare workers in the country. RNs often work in a supervisory role, implementing best practices of nursing through the use of a documented nursing process that includes an assessment, plan, implementation, and evaluation of the care a patient receives. As patient advocates, RNs work to facilitate the nursing care and recovery of those who are ill and to maintain the health of those who are well. By ensuring that all patients receive appropriate and professional healthcare, RNs play a critical role in the healthcare system.

Each state in the U.S. has a Nurse Practice Act, an act of legislation that determines the guidelines and regulations of the nursing care that an RN can legally provide. In general, the scope of practice for an RN is greater than it is for either a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) because RNs have pursued a higher level of education and attained a larger set of both practical and theoretical skills. Therefore, when working in a hospital setting, RNs often act as supervisors, overseeing the work of LPNs or LVNs, as well as nursing assistants. As supervisors, RNs are responsible for maintaining the safety and quality of care of their patients. Taking a course on effective leadership or management might help RNs with the day-to-day activities of their hospital-based jobs, including supervisory skills and administrative diplomacy.

However, the practice of registered nursing isn’t limited to the hospital setting – RNs may work for physicians, schools, ambulatory care centers, community health services, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance companies as well. There is also a trend toward independent contractor or consultant work, as more RNs make the decision to work for themselves. If you are interested in becoming an RN consultant, good topics to take a course on would be Starting a Small Business or other business-related practices that will help you to get established as your own employer.

Depending on the type of program you originally enrolled in to receive your nursing degree and license, you might be interested in taking additional courses to increase your level of knowledge in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, or nutrition. These courses may be helpful if you would like to obtain specialty board certifications that will make you even more marketable in a healthcare industry that is already suffering from a severe nursing shortage. There are also excellent courses that focus on nursing research, the nursing process, and nursing theory that might help you not only in performing your roles and responsibilities more effectively or efficiently, but also in advancing your career more quickly.

Recent studies on the emerging trends in the field of registered nursing all point to the increasing importance of technology in the healthcare industry. As the world becomes more and more reliant on computer-based health management systems and digital technologies, electronic medical record keeping is becoming more widespread. RNs who wish to stay current with the industry should consider taking courses on computer skills, information technology, content management systems, and other relevant software applications.

Another growing trend in registered nursing is the area of health coaching. Many RNs are looking for a change from the physical and emotional challenges of traditional bedside nursing in the hospital, nursing home, and home health settings. As preventive medicine is becoming more widely-practiced, many corporations and health insurance companies are hiring RNs as health coaches who supervise health maintenance (including routine diagnostic examinations, such as regular physicals, mammograms, and colonoscopies) and encourage active, health-conscious lifestyles among people who are well.

Highly motivated RNs may also want to take advanced education courses to work towards a Master’s degree or even a doctorate in nursing.  A Master of Nursing takes approximately three years of full-time study to complete, but it opens the door for specialization as a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Specialization offers flexibility and diversity – if you’re interested in psychiatry, anesthesiology, surgery, geriatrics, critical care, pediatrics, or other medical or surgical specialties, a Master’s in nursing will open a lot of doors for you.

RNs who are interested in nursing training or education, nursing advocacy, clinical research, or healthcare administration may consider 3-5 year doctoral programs that offer either a Ph.D. or a Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) degree. Many people believe that one of the reasons for the nursing shortage is the shortage of well-qualified doctorates of nursing to serve as faculty in college RN programs. With a doctoral degree, a nurse can not only train the next generation of nurses, but also work to identify strategies, coordinate efforts, and lobby for legislation that can alleviate the critical shortage of skilled and experienced nurses.

There is an abundance of continuing education opportunity for registered nurses who are interested in increasing their job satisfaction, specializing within the field, or advancing their careers. Search online for nursing programs and continuing education courses if you would like to learn more about the ways you can make the most of your nursing degree and RN license.

There are many RN ceu courses to choos from. You can take courses at local community schools or universities; some private firms may provide continuing education units. A very easy and convenient method of keeping up on your RN CEUS requirements is to take courses online.

Taking ceu courses online has several advantages compared to taking classes in person. If you take a course online you can do it whenever you want: 6am, 11:30pm, weekdays, weekends, holidays, anytime! You are not pressured by time contraints either. If you learn the material fast you could be done faster, if you need or want more time to ponder the material over then you can go at your own pace. You can also receive your ceu certificate immediatly. Once you finish the rn ceu course you can print it from your home or work computer.

SpeedyCEUS has several RN CEUS courses that you can take right now. Each unit is only about $8. If you are a RN and need some ceu units get them done and out of the way at SpeedyCEUS.

How Do I Get My CEUS Online?

It’s that time again: you need continuing education units (CEUS) to renew your professional license or credentials. Certification organizations, government licensing boards, and professional societies require continuing education (CE) for licensing. While some people plan carefully and attend courses, conferences, and seminars, others get caught behind. Such is the predicament facing nurses, marriage and family therapists, and social workers in need of continuing education every few years.

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training gives the following definition of a Continuing Education Unit:

  • One (1) CEU is equal to ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
  • One contact hour is 50 consecutive clock minutes in a board-approved continuing education class or activity.

Instruction must come from a continuing education program recognized by the licensing board of your particular profession. Upon completion, your CEU records not only supply evidence to licensing boards of successfully passing the courses, but they also give employers information about your training.

Luckily, getting CEUS is easier than ever with the internet. Whether you’re an LCSW, an MFT, a nurse, or another professional in need of continuing education, there are a variety of CE offerings online. Online CEUS offer several advantages:

  • Save time. You can complete CEUS online at your own pace. If your deadline is approaching quickly, you don’t have to wait for books, materials, or tests to be mailed back and forth. You can finish your online education in a matter of a few days, whereas through traditional mail could take up to 30 days. You also don’t have to wait for your conference or seminar to roll around and save commuting time.
  • Gain Instant Access. After signing up, you get immediate access to reading materials and tests. You receive instant feedback on your test scores, and upon successful completion, you can print the course certificate from the comfort of home.
  • Save Money. The online environment does not have the same overhead that conferences, seminars, and colleges do. Most online courses cost less than $10 per CEU. Compare that to hundreds of dollars you’d pay for CEUS at conferences or college courses.

Make sure your online CEUs will be accepted.

When considering online CEUS, verify that your course will count towards your CEU requirements. Requirements vary by state, so be sure to check with the professional licensing board over your jurisdiction. Save yourself the hassle: get an answer in writing before you start.

Board of Nursing Offices by State (to see if they accept online CEUs):

Board of Social Work Offices by State:

Directory of Marriage and Family Therapy Boards by State

A Typical Day of a RN Nurse*

I am a nurse. I am a RN or “Registered Nurse" to be precise.  My name is Shanon Compton and my goal in life, as it has been, and as it ever will be, is to help people feel better.  Many of my friends became doctors and have since asked me why I did not pursue this.  The answer is simple:  as a nurse I am able to have more contact with patients than a doctor can.  I attend to their needs, listen to their ailments, and make sure that they are cared for.  The doctor may make all the decisions, but the nurses make it all happen. 

Being a nurse is not an easy job.  It can be fast paced, or very slow.  It can be very clean, but mostly is quite messy.  A nurse cannot have a queasy stomach.  Being a nurse can be very sad at times, and can also make you feel like the best person who ever has lived.  I love being a nurse because of the standard of care that I have committed to uphold and the smiles on the faces of those I treat.  I like being a nurse because of the patients whose lives are better off because I exist.  Here is a day in my life.

5:20 a.m. My shift starts at 6:00.  I am a little late getting out of bed because I was up late reading my kids a bedtime story.  Trading off child care with my husband is difficult, but we are making it work. A quick shower and a smoothie, and I am out the door.  It is a good thing the hospital is just down the street.  I can make it there in 10 minutes on my bike if I hustle.  I listen to a medical lecture on my mp3 player on the way.  It is a continuing education piece produced by the local university that is geared toward keep me up to date.  The lecture is about the symptom of and treatments for the West Nile virus.  I am glad I am listening because we have been seeing more and more of the West Nile virus lately.

6:05 a.m. I arrive at the hospital a little late, but it will work out.  I quickly check in and stow my things.  I check the computer for patients checked in on my floor and see that we have three.  I work on the 2nd floor which is geriatrics.  I love working with the elderly.  They are a blast.  It can be very sad when they die however, and that is probably the hardest part about being a nurse.  You can’t beat death forever.  Being a nurse has taught me that comfort and solace is as much of a therapeutic technique as is any medical procedure.    

6:35 a.m.  I go on my rounds and start of by checking on the patient in 234b.  She is alert and responsive, even at the early hour.  She is hospitalized because of an infection she has developed due to bed sores.  She has been confined to her bed for prolonged period of time.  I check her dressing, and check the intravenous fluids being administered.  I also empty the colostomy bag, which is not my favorite thing to do, but it must be done, one does get used to it before long.  All the while I am asking her questions about her grandchildren.  I find out she is 82, has 19 grandchildren and loved working in her garden.  I talk to her about my garden and help her feel comfortable.  I refill her water cup with fresh water and ice.   I spend a little more time just chatting with her. 

7:00 a.m.  The patient in 238a is still asleep. I check his vitals on the computer and log in the visit.  I am being very quiet as not to disturb him.  This reminds me of the Continuing Education class I just attended because I need a few more hours to recertify.  This course was about aging and long term care.   This gentleman will need to be admitted into a long term care facility.  He is here because of a minor stroke.  It is however his third and there are many complications because of this.  I learned about long term care options and some of the things I heard were new to me since school.  I am again grateful for CEU classes that help with my training. 

7:20 a.m.  The final patient in my floor is in 242b.  She has just lost her husband.  He died from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease.  She has been having panic attacks because of her the fear that losing a loved one often creates in the elderly.  I will need to later on today suggest to a doctor that a psychiatric consultation be made.  She is awake as I enter and quietly say hello.  I can see the sadness and fear in her eyes.  I reassure her that I am here to help.  I notice the flower on her side table and ask her about them.  Her pastor brought them by yesterday.  I tell her that they are beautiful.  I chat for a little while with her.  She has no children and no family.  I show her a picture of my children and she brightens up.  I check her vitals and log the visit. 

7:55 a.m.  My rounds are done for the moment and I return to the nursing station.  I log in my activities and check the monitors on each patient room.  I chat with the other nurse on duty about the grieving patient in 242b and she tells me of a class she signed up for about death and the loss of a loved one.  It counted as a continuing education unit for her and she suggested that I sign up.  I need three more hours and this might be perfect.  I still worry about this patient though.  It cannot be easy to lose a loved one of 61 years like she did. 

8:05 a.m. We get a call from the emergency room.  They just had a geriatric patient arrive who has fallen down some stairs.  She is being treated for a broken pelvis and collar bone.  I take the initiative and prepare the room for her. 

9:10 a.m.  The woman with the infection in 234b calls. She says she things there is something wrong with her catheter and will I please come take a look.  I do this and find that all is well.  I think she is lonely.  So I cursorily check her dressing again and then I pull up a chair and let her talk.  I learned in nursing school that there is a causal relationship between a patient’s level of comfort and happiness with their ability to heal.  With the strong possibility of future infections for this woman, she will need all the help she can get. 

9:40 a.m.  I leave 234b and ask her to get some sleep.   I chalk up that last 30 minutes to emotional therapy.  I walk to the nurse’s station and take a break.  I walk out onto the terrace to get a little fresh air and call home.  My husband is feeding our 9 month old rice cereal and out 3 year old is watching cartoons.  We talk and I miss them.  Being a nurse means sacrifice.    

10:07 a.m.  Our emergency room patient arrives and is heavily sedated.  She has been treated for her breaks and is in quite a bit of pain.  It is hard to watch people suffer.  I spend the next two hours in and out of her room, making sure the I.V. medication being administered is correct.  I am grateful for my certification in Intravenous Drug Therapy that I completed 3 months ago.  The continuing education classes described a situation much like this.  The doctors on call need only prescribe the medication and I am able to administer it.  It is helpful for this patient indeed.

12:00 p.m.  I check on all patients again.  This time a little more quickly.  I can chat only for a few minutes.  I am a little worried.  The gentleman in 238a is still asleep.  His vitals seem ok, but I don’t like the unresponsiveness.  I gently rouse him and he reacts.  He seems dazed and a little nauseous.  I give him some water and check his pulse and blood pressure.  I page a doctor for consultation.  

12:30 p.m. A drug representative brings us lunch, which is a nice perk of being a nurse.  She is very nice, but is always trying to make sure we use her medication.  We enjoy the lunch and laugh about funny patient stories. 

12:55 p.m. Alarms are going off like crazy.  The patient in 238a is having a major heart attack.  I rush down the hall brushing taco crumbs off my hands.  We enter the room with the doctor on our heels.  He is unresponsive and has no pulse.  We work hard to revive him. 

1:30 p.m.  No matter what we do, we cannot help this man. The doctor pronounces him dead at 1:28 pm.  I cry.  It is so hard to see people die.  I know that they are more comfortable and out of pain.  But still, the nurse in me wants to help them more than ever.  We call up patient transport to move him to the morgue.        

3:00 p.m.  We are finished cleaning 238a and the patient is gone.  I have been trying to be tough but my emotions are getting the better of me.  I decide to work harder.  I make rounds again, stopping a little longer in 234b.  She sees that I am upset and asks what is wrong.  I break down and she comforts me.  Who thought I would be getting therapy from her.

3:40 p.m.  I log my activity with all patients and type reports on the death we experienced.  This is protocol, and I am feeling  a little better.  Death is a part of life, I remind myself.  And then I remember a continuing education class from two years ago on Ethics and nursing.  In that class we discussed handling patient death.  It was useful and I remember the lessons again.  I can do this. 

4:10 p.m.  My shift is over, and I climb on my bike to head home.  It is early spring and the blossoms are out.  I love the smell and feel of the air in the spring.  It reminds me of life and living. 

*This information is fictional but based on real life experiences of other RNs.