Oklahoma Nurses: Keeping Your License Shiny and Avoiding the CE Police
So, you're a fantastic Oklahoma nurse, holding down the fort and taking care of the good folks. But hey, even superheroes need to recharge their powers, and that's where Continuing Education (CE) comes in. But before you dive headfirst into lectures about the history of bedpans (although, that could be interesting...), let's break down that ever-important question: how many CEUs do I need to renew my Oklahoma nursing license?
The Lowdown on CEUs
Alright, alright, settle down Florence Nightingales. The good news is, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing isn't asking for an outrageous amount of CEUs. In fact, you only need 24 contact hours within the two years preceding your license renewal. That's like, a Netflix binge-watching session compared to an epic fantasy novel. Easy peasy, right?
But Wait, There's More! (Because There Always Is)
Hold your horses there, champ. While 24 CEUs is the baseline, there are actually other ways to fulfill your continuing competency requirement. Here's a little cheat sheet:
- Been a Busy Bee? Worked at least 520 hours as a nurse in the past two years? Show 'em the proof! You're good to go.
- Certified Awesome? Hold a current certification in a nursing specialty? That counts too! High five for being extra qualified!
- Back to Basics? Completed a Board-approved refresher course? Consider it done!
- Class Act? Earned 6 academic semester credit hours of nursing coursework? You fancy academic nurse, you!
Remember: You can't mix and match these options in the same renewal period. So, don't try to convince them that 12 hours of CEUs and a really good nap count as 24 hours. They won't buy it.
FAQs for the Busy Nurse
Alright, class dismissed! But before you hit the scrubs and head back to the frontline, here are some quick answers to your burning CEU questions:
- How do I find approved CE courses? The Oklahoma Board of Nursing website has a list of approved providers (
https://oklahoma.gov/nursing.html - How long do I have to complete my CEUs? You need to finish them within the two years before your license expires. Don't wait until the last minute – you wouldn't want to be stuck cramming for a CEU exam, would you?
- What kind of CE courses are valid? The courses should be relevant to your nursing practice and enhance your knowledge and skills. No clown college, sorry.
- Can I take online CE courses? Yep, you sure can! Just make sure they're from an approved provider.
- How do I report my CEUs? Your CE provider will typically handle this for you. But it never hurts to double-check with the Board of Nursing.
So there you have it, Oklahoma nurses! Keeping your license renewed is a breeze with a little planning and the right CEUs. Now go forth and be the amazing nurses you are!