To keep their certification, RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and CNAs must complete ongoing training. And as an employer, you can assist them in fulfilling this requirement. Here are four continuing education ideas to help your nursing staff.
Provide Onsite Training
Especially for hospitals or larger medical facilities, hiring certified trainers may be an option. This especially is beneficial if you wish to educate your staff in a certain area. After all, you’ll know their team is up to date, while your nurses will automatically earn their Continuing Education Units (CEUs). If you don’t have the resources to pay someone to come onsite, you still can make training a group experience. Ask nurses who’ve signed up for online courses to meet in a conference room and work through modules at the same time. Or host a webinar party. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) offers both live and on-demand webinars that count toward continuing education credit. You could even bring in snacks or a catered meal to make the event more enjoyable.
Pay for Classes
Tuition or CEU reimbursement is a wonderful employee benefit. For individuals, paying out of pocket adds up over time. Therefore, you could sell this perk as part of your recruitment package. Meanwhile, your organization may be able to use training costs as a tax write-off. In other words, everyone wins.
Attend a Conference
Taking a group of nurses to an offsite event can be a fun and educational experience for everyone. Most conferences automatically offer a variety of Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) classes. You may choose to stay local or book a flight depending on your financial resources. To discover upcoming conferences in your area, as well as national events, run a quick online search.
Offer Guidance and Support
Keeping track of their CEUs is just one more thing for your nurses to do. Courses must be accredited. Otherwise, they won’t count. Keeping your nurses informed about the available options is a perfect way to save them time. You could have a list of training opportunities available either on your network or posted on a bulletin board. For instance, one option, the Emory Nursing Professional Development Center (ENPDC) provides a variety of accredited programs – both free and paid. And if your office staff is up to the challenge, you might even help your nurses track their requirements and their progress.
Are You Looking to Add Top Nurses to Your Team?
BOS Medical Staffing places RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and CNAs throughout the state of Georgia. Our recruiters would be happy to match you with dependable, skilled, and fully credentialed nurses. Learn more about the advantages of hiring through BOS Medical today!
