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Q:
What’s the difference between a continuing
education unit (CEU) and a contact hour? Are they interchangeable?
A:
Although many people use the term CEU, they are not the same as
contact hours. The American Nurses’ Credentialing Center
Commission on Accreditation (ANCC) and most of the state providers
follow the contact hour calculation. In reality, it takes 10 contact
hours to make a CEU, so one contact hour equals 0.1 CEU.
Q:
Can CE contact hours apply to RN, LPN, and all types of nurses?
A:
The activity is designed to address RNs. In California,
LVNs are
allowed to receive credit from RN programs. LPNs and LVNs should
check with their own state agency.
Q:
What allied health personnel can use nursing contact hours?
A:
Many allied health personnel are permitted to use nursing
contact
hours for recertification or relicensure. We already know that
surgical technologists and radiology technologists may be
able to use nursing
contact hours. Educational
Dimensions
can research this and provide a definitive answer.
Q:
What’s the difference between Category I and Category II programs?
A:
In some states, the programs credentialed by that state’s
credentialing body are designated differently from programs credentialed
by another body. Both categories are acceptable, but there is
a limit to the number of Category II (another process) contact
hours acceptable for relicensure.
There is an accreditation statement on the Educational Dimensions
flyer giving information on the provider’s accrediting
bodies. This may answer any questions. Partners may Contact Educational Dimensions with your CE questions.
Q:
Texas has a regulation addressing Type I or Type II contact hours.
What type are Educational Dimensions’?
A:
We fulfill the requirements for Type I contact hours. This is
good, because there's no limit to the number of Type I hours the
RNs can use.
Q:
My state doesn’t require nurses to have CE for relicensure.
Do the CE credits (contact hours) have any value to them?
A:
Relicensure is only one use of CE contact hours. Some nurses have
certification in a specialty like pediatrics, critical care, perioperative
(operating room), emergency care, etc. They are required to recertify
by examination or through continuing education. As of 2003, re-certification
through ANA requires that 50% of the contact hours come from ANCC
accredited or approved providers.
Another consideration is that although the state may not require
CE for basic relicensure, they may require it for the
advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner or clinical nurse
specialist). The only way to find out this little detail is to
research the state regulations or email Educational
Dimensions for specific information.
Finally, we need to recognize that if the program has had CE
credit awarded, it has gone through a planning process by continuing
education providers. This is like a “stamp of approval”
indicating that content is appropriate, learner objectives are
established, time frame and learning methodologies are appropriate
and the speaker is qualified. So, even if CE
credit is not needed, an astute nurse will know that CNE is a
worthwhile learning activity.
Q:
Why are license numbers or social security numbers required on the
registration form? Does it matter which one is provided?
A:
When nurses and other allied health personnel apply their contact
hours to relicensure or recertification, the body overseeing this
process makes the rules. They determine which number
should be used.
Nurse participants can provide guidance on this, but unless otherwise
indicated, Educational Dimensions uses the RN license number.
When auditing licensees, most organizations use the license number
to track RNs. Florida has introduced a new electronic tracking
system requiring entry of the license number only.
Participants are concerned (and rightly so) about security related
to license and social security numbers. Faculty members are
made aware of confidentiality and security issues surrounding
the registration form and keep the forms safe until turned over
to Educational Dimensions.
At the provider’s end, we follow stringent
security guidelines to protect participant information. Name
lists are
not distributed or sold.
Q:
When will the nurses receive their certificates?
A:
The Boards require certificate issue within 90 days. We are
well
within that timeframe. If all information is complete and legible,
average time for certificate return is two-three weeks following
submission of completed evaluations and the registration form.
Original documents (not faxed or reproduced copies) are required.
Q:
Is a post-test necessary for CE?
A:
A post-test is not a requirement for CE.
Q:
Why are evaluations necessary for CE?
A:
Evaluations are required for CE and their content is dictated
by the approving body. They want every assurance that the end
user (the participant) receives the best educational experience.
Speakers should review the evaluations before submitting to Educational
Dimensions. Participant feedback can be very helpful in identifying
opportunities to improve a presentation.
Q:
Why is there an option on the evaluation form for Iowa folks to
submit directly?
A:
Iowa regulations require this. The system is a kind of check and
balance idea, so nurses can complain directly to the Board about
poorly-done programs. Our experience is that nurses will complain
directly to the speaker if they're not getting what they need.
Q:
Can contact hours be issued retroactively?
A:
Contact hours cannot be issued retroactively.
Programs must be credentialed before contact hours can be awarded.
Q:
Can two or more programs be combined for more contact hours?
A:
Yes, as long as the content delivered in the combined programs
is the same as in the two single programs and the participants
meet the learner objectives.
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