5 Vital Nursing CEUs in Texas

IN A NUTSHELL:

• Nurses must complete 20 contact hours every two years
• Courses on tick-borne diseases shown to be useful
• Knowing about advance directives helpful in aiding patients

Nurses and other medical practitioners are generally required by the state to maintain and update their knowledge. Many states make continuing education a part of renewing a medical license. To practice legally, nurses must complete specific educational requirements.

However, it is difficult to know which courses are most important. One glance at a continuing education list will produce hundreds of options, but there are ways to decide which courses are worth pursuing.

What Are Nursing CEUs?

CEU stands for continuing education units. These are classes that many medical professionals need to complete to remain licensed to practice. Nursing CEUs are continuing education classes that refresh or update nursing knowledge and best practices. Most state medical boards have rules that require nurses to complete a certain number of CEUs during a licensing period. 

What Requirements are Specific to Texas?

In Texas, the licensing period lasts two years. All RNs and LPNs must complete 20 contact hours every two years. There is also a specific 2-hour course required for any nurse practicing in an emergency room Forensic Collection environment. Alternatively, nurses who demonstrate earning or renewing a national board certification within the licensing period will be excused from the 20 hours of CEU time. 

5 Vital Nursing CEUs in Texas

The Texas Board of Nursing regulates nursing in the state. The board requires specific CEUs to be completed during each licensure period. Other courses should apply to your field of practice.

The five CEUs listed below are either critical to the licensing process or have particular bearing for nurses practicing in Texas. Texas is one of the most populous states in the nation. It also has an aging population that will need nursing care in various ways. 

1. Texas Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics

Jurisprudence is the study of the law, and this course should be completed before your license expires, once every two years.. The course will ensure that you can make informed nursing decisions within the framework of Texas nursing statutes. Since these statutes change, it is critical to continue to update your understanding and knowledge of them. Ethics is a large part of practicing medicine. Nurses will be faced with ethical choices throughout their careers. This course is a vital part of practicing nursing with the highest ethical conduct.

2. Tick-Borne Diseases

Lyme disease is the most well-known tick-borne disease. While there is not a high rate of Lyme disease in Texas, there are many others. Also, the incidence rate of tick-borne diseases is on the rise. The tick-borne Diseases CEU is becoming ever more important for nurses in Texas. This course will introduce you to the different types of ticks that are active in the state. It will also outline the symptoms, treatments, and preventions for tick bites and tick-borne diseases. 

3. Geriatric Population

The population of people over the age of 60 is projected to triple in Texas by the year 2050. By that year, it’s estimated that more than 12 million people in that demographic will inhabit the state. Elderly populations have a particular set of medical needs. Due to the growth of this aging population and increased longevity, there will also be a large proportion of the population that is over the age of 85 in the coming years. The Geriatrics Nursing CEU will prepare you to treat and care for this growing population. This will be an essential skill for a nurse practicing in Texas. According to the Center for Disease Control, these six diseases commonly present in older patients:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Chronic bronchitis or emphysema
• Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Alzheimer’s Disease

Additional issues for elderly patients include a rise in dementia and how to recognize elder abuse. This CEU will introduce these concepts and more. 

4. Evidence Collection and Preservation in a Medical Setting

Violent crime is a terrible thing to experience. Victims of violent crime face trauma and mental anguish in addition to their physical injuries. Nurses practicing in an emergency room setting need specific training to care for these patients. In addition to treating victims of violence with compassion and particular care, nurses will also take part in collecting and preserving evidence. This evidence will be used to investigate and prosecute any crimes that have been committed. This patient-centered skill is vital to nurses practicing in Texas emergency rooms.

5. Advance Directives

Thinking about end-of-life care is difficult. Most Americans do not have a plan for what would happen to them in the case of an accident or life-threatening illness. These Advance Directives plans include living wills, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, and health care powers of attorney. This issue is essential across the United States. The CDC has started a public health campaign to encourage people to create their advance directives. An Advance Directives CEU would help prepare you to follow and discuss advance directive plans with patients. It will help you recognize when the conversation is needed, as well as to identify any barriers or resistance you might come across.  

Learn More 

Nursing is a vital profession in Texas and across the country. It is also a growing profession. As our population ages, nurses will be in more and more demand. Continuing education is our passion. We offer free online courses to fulfill requirements for nursing CEUs in Texas. Sign up for your free CEU courses today.

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