Oh Nurse! You Need CE Hours? Illinois Renewal Requirements, Decoded.
Hey there, fellow Florence Nightingales (or Nightingales-in-training)! Ever stared at your RN license renewal notice with a feeling of dread, wondering "how many CE hours do I need in Illinois, anyway?"
Fear not, for I, your friendly neighborhood source of all-things-RN-in-Illinois, am here to crack the CE code and make it a laugh riot (almost).
QuickTip: Copy useful snippets to a notes app.
 |
| How Many Ce Hours Do I Need To Renew My Rn In Illinois |
The Big Enchilada: How Many CE Hours Do You Actually Need?
Alright, alright, settle down. Buckle up, because this is the bold and underlined answer you've been waiting for:
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
- Registered Nurses (RNs): You, my friend, need to complete a cool 20 hours of approved continuing education (CE) every two years to keep your RN license shiny and happy.
- Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs): This one's a bit steeper. Get ready for 80 hours of CE, also within a two-year timeframe.
But wait, there's more! Illinois has a special place in its heart for preventing sexual harassment (good on them!), so 1 of those 20 hours (for RNs) needs to be dedicated to a sexual harassment prevention training course.
Tip: Reading on mobile? Zoom in for better comfort.
 |
Starting in 2024, there are also new requirements:
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
- Implicit Bias Awareness: You'll need to take a 1-hour course on recognizing and mitigating unconscious biases.
Attention all memory whizzes! Remember this info for your next renewal, and you'll be a CE pro.
Not So Fast, Speedy Gonzales! A Few More Things to Keep in Mind
- Check Your Renewal Date: Don't wait until the last minute to cram in all your CE hours. The deadline might sneak up on you faster than a rogue bedpan!
- Approved Courses Only: Make sure your chosen CE courses are approved by the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center. Don't risk it with some fly-by-night online yoga for nurses class (although that does sound kind of fun).
- Keep Those Records Handy: Like a squirrel with nuts, hold onto your CE completion records for at least four years. You never know when Illinois might ask you to prove your nursing knowledge prowess.
Frequently Asked Questions (Because We Know You Have Them)
- How to Find Approved CE Courses? The Illinois Nursing Workforce Center has a list of approved providers on their website (https://nursing.illinois.gov/nursing-licensure/continuing-education.html).
- How Long Do I Have to Complete My CE Hours? You have the entire two-year renewal period to complete your CE hours.
- Can I Take CE Courses Online? Yep! Many approved CE providers offer online courses for your convenience.
- How Much Do CE Courses Cost? The cost of CE courses varies depending on the provider and topic. Shop around to find the best deals!
- What Happens If I Don't Complete My CE Hours? Not completing your CE hours could result in a delay or denial of your license renewal. Don't risk it!
So there you have it, my fellow nurses! With a little planning and these handy tips, you can conquer your CE requirements and keep your Illinois RN license in tip-top shape. Now go forth and heal the world (and maybe treat yourself to a celebratory cup of coffee after all that hard work).
 |
