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How to Renew Your RN license by State

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How to Renew Your RN license by State

To keep their licenses active, nurses are typically required to renew them once in a while. Because states have their own nursing laws, there is no set of universal renewal guidelines. The requirements you will be asked to submit will depend entirely on the state you live or work in. To make life easier for you, we have compiled a list of RN license renewal requirements by state, as of 2022. Keep in mind that these are always subject to change.For more detailed information, refer to the official State Board of Nursing websites linked in the states below. 

Alabama: 24 Continuing Education (CE) contact hours from a state-approved provider. This can include 12 hours of independent study through your Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Must be fulfilled every two years, on even years. The only exception is if you applied between August 31 and December 31. 

Alaska: Nurses must complete two of the following: 320 hours of nursing employment, 60 hours of unpaid professional nursing or 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Must be fulfilled every November 30th, in even years only. 

Arizona: Nurses must complete one of the following: 960 hours of nursing practice in the last 5 years, completion of a board-accredited refresher course, graduation from a nursing program in the last 5 years or obtaining an advanced practice nursing degree over the last 5 years. Requirements must be fulfilled every 4 years. 

Arkansas: Nurses must complete one of the following: 15 contact hours from accredited activities with an emphasis on practice, one college credit hour in nursing with at least a grade of C or better, or a nationally-recognized certification/recertification. This must be fulfilled every two years. If you are born in an odd-numbered year, you renew in even years and vice-versa. 

California: To renew an RN license in California, you must fulfill 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. If you are unsure of your license’s status, the state offers online RN license verification for CA nurses. RN license verification in California can be found here. 

RN license renewal in California must be fulfilled every two years on your birthday.

Colorado: Renew every two years by September 30. There are no additional requirements. 

Connecticut: Renew every year, on the first day of a nurse’s birth month. There are no additional requirements.

District of Columbia: Every two years, RNs must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. 3 hours are devoted to HIV/Aids while 2 will concern cultural sensitivity training for handling patients who identify as LGBTQ+. 

Delaware: You must fulfill one of the following requirements for renewal: 1,000 practice hours over the last 5 years, 400 practice hours over 2 years, or a refresher course within the past 2 years AND 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider (which includes 3 on substance abuse.) Nurses have to meet these requirements every two years in odd-numbered years. Depending on when they got their certification, they must submit them on either February 28, September 30 or May 31. 

Florida: 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, which includes 2 hours on Florida’s nursing laws and 2 hours on human trafficking. RN license renewal in Florida is fulfilled every two years. This is waived for the first two years of first-time licensees who passed the exam. 

Georgia: RNs must finish 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Georgia’s other renewal requirements are extensive and listed on the official website. Depending on when you got certified, you will have to renew your license in every even or odd numbered year. No matter what, you have to meet your requirements every two years. 

Hawaii: Nurses must fulfill one of the following: 

  • National certification/recertification for nursing
  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider
  • At least two semester credits of post-licensure lessons related to nursing practice. Must come from an accredited school of nursing. 
  • 120 hours working as a preceptor for one student or employee moving to a new clinical practice area, in an organized preceptorship program. 
  • Completing a state-approved refresher course.
  • Completing a state-approved nurse residency program. 
  • Completing a nursing research project as a principal or co-principal investigator. This should either be an evidence-based undertaking pre approved by the State Board of Nursing or an institutional review board project. 
  • Writing or co-writing a peer-reviewed published nursing writing. This can be a book, article or book chapter. 
  • Five contact hours of developing and carrying out nursing education presentations. To count as continuing education, this must be for an organized institution. Other learning activities can be approved, provided they are approved by the State Board of Nursing.

Regardless of what you choose, your requirements must be fulfilled every June 30th in odd years. 

Idaho: Nurses are expected to complete the following:

  • Certification for your current nursing specialization or at least 100 hours of practice/simulated practice. 
  • Either acknowledgement as a contributor to a published article connected to nursing, or participating in related professional activities. 
  • Either 15 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, at least 1 semester credit of post-licensure education, teaching/developing nursing-related instructional courses, or participation/presentation of a conference/seminar/workshop.

These requirements must be submitted every two years on August 31. 

Illinois: 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Must be fulfilled every even year on May 21. Interestingly, fees for rn license renewal have been reduced to $0. 

Indiana: Renew every two years on odd years, on October 31. There are no additional requirements for RN license renewal in Indiana.

Iowa: Nurses must complete 36 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, 2 of which are devoted to child abuse training. RNs licensed for less than 3 years only need to complete 24 contact hours. Requirements must be completed every 3 years. 

Kansas: Nurses must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years. RNs can do as much independent study as they please, to meet the CE quota.

Kentucky: Nurses must complete one of the following, every year (this requirement is waived for your first renewal:) 

  • National certification/recertification
  • Completing a research project as principal/co-principal investigator or director.
  • 14 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider
  • 120 preceptor hours
  • Carrying out a professional-level presentation on nurse education 
  • Publishing an article related to nursing
  • 7 contact hours and a satisfactory employment evaluation
  • (One Time Only) 3 CE contact hours on domestic violence and 2 hours of AIDS/HIV classes from a state-approved provider. 

RNs must renew their license every year, on October 31. 

Louisiana: Full time nurses must fulfill 5 CEUs from a state-approved provider, part-time nurses need to finish 10 while inactive nurses have to do 15. RNs have to renew every year, on a date between October 31 and January 31. 

Maine: Renew every two years on your birthday. There are no additional requirements.

Maryland: Every two years, RNs have to complete one of the following:

  • A refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing within the last 5 years
  • 1000 practice-related hours within the last 5 years 
  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider within the last 2 years. 

Massachusetts: 15 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Must be fulfilled every two years, on even years and on the nurse’s birthday. RN license renewal in Massachusetts is waived for the first two years of first-time licensees who passed the exam. 

Michigan: Nurses must complete 25 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years.

Minnesota: Nurses must complete 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years.

Mississippi: Nurses must complete 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every even year, between October 1 and December 31.

Missouri:  Renew every two years, before March 30 on even years. There are no additional requirements

Montana: Nurses must complete 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years, before December 31 in even years

Nebraska: Renewal requirements are waived in your first two years as a licensed RN. Otherwise, you must fulfill one of the following: 

  • 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider within the last two years and 500 combined practice hours across the last five years.  
  • Current/new certification for your nursing specialization
  • Completing a refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing over the last five years
  • Graduated two to five years ago and 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider.
  • Portfolio outlining professional goals and proof of professional activity completed to meet said goals. 

Requirements must be submitted for renewal on October 31, in odd years. 

Nevada: Nurses must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, which includes a 2 hour cultural competency course. RNs must also finish a one time 4 hour bioterrorism class. Requirements must be met every two years. 

New Hampshire: Nurses must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, every year. 

New Jersey: 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. RNs will also be asked to take a 1 hour course on tissue organ donation. RN license renewal in NJ must be fulfilled every two years. 

New Mexico: Nurses must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, every two years.

New York: RNs have to complete 2 CEUs on child abuse recognition and 3 CEUs on infection control. While the latter has to be fulfilled every 4 years, the license renewal period is every three years. 

North Carolina: Nurses must submit one of the following: 

  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider
  • Completing a refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing
  • At least two semester hours of post-licensure lessons related to nursing practice OR
  • 15 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, along with one of the following
    • Writing or co-writing a peer-reviewed published nursing writing. This can be a book, article or book chapter
    • Completing a research project as principal/co-principal investigator or director. Must include statement of problem, objectives, a summary of findings, completion date and methods 
    • 640 hours of nursing practice over the last two years
    • Five contact hours of developing and carrying out nursing education presentations. Syllabus, program brochure, goals, time/place of presentation and number of attendants must be included. 

Requirements must be submitted every two years. 

North Dakota: Nurses must complete 12 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider and 400 practice hours. Additional requirements can be found on the site. The renewal period is every year. 

Ohio: 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every two years. For RN license renewal in Ohio, 1 contact hour must be dedicated to Ohio nursing law. 

Oklahoma: Every two years, nurses can complete one of two requirements:

  • 520 annual employed practice hours
  • Current certification in nursing speciality
  • Completion of a board-approved refresher course
  • 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, every two years
  • 6 credits of academic coursework at your current licensure level or higher

Oregon: Nurses must complete a one time 7 CE contact hour course on pain management. One of these hours must be the Oregon Pain Management Commission module. New renewals will require 2 CE contact hours on cultural competence. Your regular renewal requirements last two years and can be one of the following:

  • 400 practice hours
  • 20 CE contact hours if you accrued less than 600 practice hours in the past 3 years.
  • 30 CE contact hours if you accrued less than 800 practice hours in the past 4 years.
  • Practice re-entry if you accrued less than 960 practice hours in the past 4 years.

Pennsylvania: 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. For RN license renewal in PA, 3 contact hours must be spent on a DPW-approved course on child abuse recognition and reporting requirements. Must be fulfilled every two years in April or October. 

Rhode Island: 10 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. 3 contact hours must be spent on substance abuse education. Must be fulfilled every two years.

South Carolina: Every two years, nurses must fulfill must fulfill one of the following:

  • Number of practice hours + certification of competency from employer.
  • Nationally-recognized certification/recertification.
  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider.
  • Finishing a nursing-related academic program

South Dakota: Every two years, nurses must fulfill must fulfill one of the following:

  • 140 practice hours over a 12 month period, within the last 6 years.
  • 480 total practice hours over the last 6 years
  • Completion of a board-accredited refresher course

Tennessee: RN license renewal in TN requires submission of proof of practice every two years. This must be accomplished on the final day of a nurse’s birth month.

Texas: 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Must be fulfilled every two years. Additionally, RN license renewal in Texas includes a one time, 2 contact hour course on bioterrorism.

Utah: Nurses must complete one of the following:

  • 400 practice hours or 15 CE contact hours
  • 200 practice hours or 30 CE contact hours. 

. Requirements must be fulfilled every two years. 

Vermont: Every two years, nurses must complete one of the following:

  • Completion of re-entry program within the last 5 years 
  • 400 practice hours accrued within the last 2 years
  • 960 practice hours accrued within the last 5 years

Virginia: Every two years, nurses must complete one of the following:

  • 640 nursing practice hours and 15 CE contact hours of workshops, seminars, courses relevant to nursing practice and conferences.
  • 30 CE contact hours of workshops, seminars, courses relevant to nursing practice and conferences.
  • Completion of a board-accredited refresher course
  • Teaching 30 contact hours of nursing-related CE lessons
  • Finishing an evidence-based practice project or research study related to nursing. 
  • Certification for your nursing specialization from a nationally-recognized organization.
  • Teaching a minimum of 3 semester hours of speciality certification or college credit. 
  • At least 3 credit hours of post-licensure lessons related to nursing practice
  • Writing or co-writing a published piece within the renewal period. 

Washington: Every 3 years, nurses must complete 45 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider and 531 nursing practice hours.

West Virginia: Every year on October 31, nurses must complete 12CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Two hours will be spent on mental health while one will be devoted to drug diversion training and best practices for prescribing controlled substances.  

Wisconsin: On the last day of February in even years, nurses have to apply for renewal. There are no additional requirements. 

Wyoming: Every two years, RNs have to submit one of the following requirements: 

  • 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider completed within the last 2 years
  • 500 practice hours accrued within the last 2 years
  • 1,600 practice hours accrued within the last 5 years
  • Completion of a reentry program or a refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing within the last 5 years. 
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How to Renew Your LPN License by State

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How to Renew Your LPN License by State

Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license renewal differs from state to state. Whether you are taking your LVN certification online or in-person, and no matter where you live, you want to stay on top of your licensing requirements whenever you can. That is why we have gathered a list of LVN license renewal requirements by state as of 2022. Keep in mind that these are always subject to change. For more detailed information, refer to the official State Board of Nursing websites linked in the states below. 

Alabama: 24 Continuing Education (CE) contact hours from a state-approved provider. This can include 12 hours of independent study through your Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Must be fulfilled every two years. 

Alaska: Nurses must complete two of the following: 320 hours of nursing employment, 60 hours of unpaid professional nursing or 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Must be fulfilled every November 30th, in even years only. 

Arizona: Nurses must complete one of the following: 960 hours of nursing practice in the last 5 years, completion of a board-accredited refresher course, graduation from a nursing program in the last 5 years or obtaining an advanced practice nursing degree over the last 5 years. Requirements must be fulfilled every 4 years. 

Arkansas: Every two years, nurses must complete one of the following: 

  • 15 contact hours from accredited activities with an emphasis on practice
  • Completion of a nursing-related academic course
  • Nationally-recognized certification/recertification

California: 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. LVN license renewal in California must be fulfilled every two years.

Colorado: Renew every two years. There are no additional requirements. 

Connecticut: Renew every year. There are no additional requirements.

Delaware: Every two years, LVNs must complete 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider.

District of Columbia: Every two years, nurses can complete one of the following: 

  • Completion of graduate or undergraduate courses relevant to nursing practice.
  • 15 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider
  • Developing or carrying out CE courses or an educational course approved by the State Board of Nursing or a Board-affiliated body. 
  • Writing or co-writing a peer-reviewed published nursing writing. This can be a book, article, periodical or book chapter.

Florida: Every two years, LVNs have to finish 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, which includes 2 hours on prevention of medical errors. Applicants must complete a one time, 1 hour AIDS/HIV course before their first renewal and a 2 contact hour domestic violence lesson every third renewal. At least 1 contact hour must be finished, each month of the renewal period.  

Georgia:  Every two years, LVNs must finish 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Georgia’s other renewal requirements are listed on the official website.

Hawaii:  Every two years, nurses must fulfill  one of the following: 

  • Completing a state-approved refresher course.
  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider
  • At least two semester credits of post-licensure lessons related to nursing practice. Must come from an accredited school of nursing. 

Idaho: Every two years, nurses must fulfill two of the following:

  • Certification for your current nursing specialization or at least 100 hours of practice/simulated practice. 
  • Either acknowledgement as a contributor to a published article connected to nursing, or participating in related professional activities. 
  • Either 15 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, at least 1 semester credit of post-licensure education, teaching/developing nursing-related instructional courses, or participation/presentation of a conference/seminar/workshop.

These requirements must be submitted every two years. 

Illinois: Every two years, LVNs must complete 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. 1 contact hour should cover sexual harassment and how to handle it as a nurse. 

Indiana: Renew every two years. There are no additional requirements

Iowa: Nurses must complete 36 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, 2 of which are devoted to child abuse training. LVNs licensed for less than 3 years only need to complete 24 contact hours. Requirements must be completed every 3 years. 

Kansas: Nurses must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years. LVNs can do as much independent study as they please, to meet the CE quota. 

Kentucky: Nurses must complete 14 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, within two years. The Kentucky Board of Nursing’s official site also lists alternative requirements. 

Louisiana: Full time nurses must fulfill 5 CEUs from a state-approved provider, part-time nurses need to finish 10 while inactive nurses have to do 15. LPN license renewal in Louisiana takes place every year. 

Maine: Renew every two years on your birthday. There are no additional requirements.

Maryland: Every two years, LPNs have to complete one of the following:

  • A refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing within the last 5 years
  • 1000 practice-related hours within the last 5 years 
  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider within the last 2 years. 

Massachusetts: 15 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Must be fulfilled every two years, on odd years and on the nurse’s birthday. 

Michigan: Nurses must complete 25 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years.

Minnesota: Nurses must complete 12 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years to fulfill LVN license renewal requirements.

Mississippi: Nurses must complete 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years every odd year, between October 1 and December 31.

Missouri:  Renew every two years, before March 30 on even years. There are no additional requirements

Montana: Nurses must complete 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every 2 years, before December 31 in even years

Nebraska: Renewal requirements are waived in your first two years as a licensed LPN. Otherwise, you must fulfill one of the following: 

  • 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider within the last two years and 500 combined practice hours across the last five years.  
  • Current/new certification for your nursing specialization
  • Completing a refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing over the last five years
  • Graduated two to five years ago and 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider.
  • Portfolio outlining professional goals and proof of professional activity completed to meet said goals. 

Requirements must be submitted for renewal on October 31, in odd years. 

Nevada: Nurses must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, which includes a 2 hour cultural competency course. LPNs must also finish a one time 4 hour bioterrorism class. Requirements must be met every two years. 

New Hampshire: Nurses must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, every year. 

New Jersey: 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. You will also be asked to take a 1 hour course on tissue organ donation. LPN license renewal in NJ must be fulfilled every two years. 

New Mexico: LPNs must complete 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, every two years.

New York: RNs have to complete 3 CE contact hours from an accredited provider. LPN license renewal in NY must be accomplished every 4 years. 

North Carolina: Nurses must submit one of the following: 

  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider
  • Completing a refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing
  • At least 2 credit hours of post-licensure lessons related to nursing practice
  • 15 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, along with one of the following
    • Writing or co-writing a peer-reviewed published nursing writing. This can be a book, article or book chapter
    • Completing a research project as principal/co-principal investigator or director. Must include statement of problem, objectives, a summary of findings, completion date and methods 
    • 5 contact hours of developing and carrying out nursing education presentations. Syllabus, program brochure, goals, time/place of presentation and number of attendants must be included.
    • 640 hours of nursing practice over the last two years

Requirements must be submitted every two years. 

North Dakota: Nurses must complete 12 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Additional requirements can be found on the site. The renewal period is every year. 

Ohio: 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider every two years. For LPN license renewal in Ohio, 1 contact hour must be dedicated to Ohio nursing law. 

Oklahoma: Every two years, nurses can complete one of two requirements:

  • 520 annual employed practice hours
  • Current certification in nursing speciality
  • Completion of a board-approved refresher course
  • 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider, every two years
  • 6 credits of academic coursework at your current licensure level or higher

Oregon: Nurses must complete a one time 7 CE contact hour course on pain management. One of these hours must be the Oregon Pain Management Commission module. New renewals will require 2 CE contact hours on cultural competence. Your regular renewal requirements last two years and can be one of the following:

  • 400 practice hours
  • 20 CE contact hours if you accrued less than 600 practice hours in the past 3 years.
  • 30 CE contact hours if you accrued less than 800 practice hours in the past 4 years.
  • Practice re-entry if you accrued less than 960 practice hours in the past 4 years.

Pennsylvania: For LPN license renewal in PA, 2 contact hours must be spent on a DPW-approved course on child abuse recognition and reporting requirements on every renewal.

Rhode Island: 10 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. 3 contact hours must be spent on substance abuse education. Must be fulfilled every two years.

South Carolina: Every two years, nurses must fulfill must fulfill one of the following:

  • Number of practice hours + certification of competency from employer.
  • Nationally-recognized certification/recertification.
  • 30 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider.
  • Finishing a nursing-related academic program

South Dakota: Every two years, nurses must fulfill must fulfill one of the following:

  • 140 practice hours over a 12 month period, within the last 6 years.
  • 480 total practice hours over the last 6 years
  • Completion of a board-accredited refresher course

Tennessee: LPN renewal requires submission of proof of practice every two years.

Texas: To maintain your LVN license in Texas, you must fulfill 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider. Must be fulfilled every two years. Additionally, LVN license renewal in Texas includes a one time, 2 contact hour course on bioterrorism.

Utah: Nurses must complete one of the following: 

  • 400 practice hours or 15 CE contact hours
  • 200 practice hours and 30 CE contact hours. 

Requirements must be fulfilled every two years. 

Vermont: Every two years, nurses must complete one of the following:

  • Completion of re-entry program within the last 5 years 
  • 400 practice hours accrued within the last 2 years
  • 960 practice hours accrued within the last 5 years

Virginia: Every two years, nurses must complete one of the following:

  • 640 nursing practice hours and 15 CE contact hours of workshops, seminars, courses relevant to nursing practice and conferences.
  • 30 CE contact hours of workshops, seminars, courses relevant to nursing practice and conferences.
  • Completion of a board-accredited refresher course
  • Teaching 30 contact hours of nursing-related CE lessons
  • Finishing an evidence-based practice project or research study related to nursing. 
  • Certification for your nursing specialization from a nationally-recognized organization.
  • Teaching a minimum of 3 semester hours of speciality certification or college credit. 
  • At least 3 credit hours of post-licensure lessons related to nursing practice
  • Writing or co-writing a published piece within the renewal period. 

Washington: Every 3 years, nurses must complete 45 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider and 531 nursing practice hours.

West Virginia: Every even year, nurses must complete 24 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider and 400 LPN practice hours. There is also a one time, 2 CE Contact hour course that will cover end-of-life care. 

Wisconsin: Every two years, LVNs must reply for LVN license renewal. There are no additional requirements. 

Wyoming: Every two years, LVNs have to submit one of the following requirements: 

  • 20 CE contact hours from a state-approved provider completed within the last 2 years
  • 500 practice hours accrued within the last 2 years
  • 1,600 practice hours accrued within the last 5 years
  • Completion of a reentry program or a refresher course approved by the State Board of Nursing within the last 5 years.
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Nursing and Healthcare Trends for 2023

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Nursing and Healthcare Trends for 2023

The healthcare industry is continuously shifting, as we speak. The pandemic had already accelerated the adoption of cutting-edge healthcare technologies, which was already well underway. Nurse-patient dynamics and hospital operations are not what they were even three years ago. Nevertheless, nurses owe it to themselves to keep track of all the changing trends and shifts in the market. HCPs have to stay updated and on-their-toes if they want to stay in this line of work. Lucky for you, this article is here to break down a couple of the most important US healthcare trends heading into 2023. 

Telehealth will continue to surge

At the height of pandemic restrictions, it was a natural solution for patients who needed health consultation but could not go outside. Telehealth allows patients to get examinations, diagnosis results or prescriptions through video chat, text or email. Even with pandemic restrictions dying down, telehealth will continue to be one of the major trends in the healthcare industry. Not only is the telehealth industry valued at around 83.5 billion USD, it also has a 24% projected compound annual growth rate between 2020 and 2030. Autoimmune, incapacitated, or otherwise busy patients will ensure that demand remains high in the coming years.

Hospitals will scramble to retain staff 

It is estimated that hospitals will need 200,000 new nurses every year until 2030. Clearly, the current nursing shortage will not go away anytime soon. Burnout and overwork are driving nurses away by the thousands, as they leave the industry to seek work in less stressful environments. In response, initiatives like mental health seminars will be among the biggest US healthcare trends in 2023. The discussion surrounding burnout has placed nursing mental health into the forefront, and many facilities are taking note. With nursing leaders proposing “creative and innovative solutions” to current issues, HCPs will want to examine how hospitals go about improving their staff retention. 

Per diem nursing is here to stay

Per diem nursing solutions such as travel nurse agencies are one of the biggest current healthcare trends, as a response to the nursing shortage. It allowed nurses to scale their operations and bring in as many qualified HCPs as possible, for the current level of demand. Nurses also benefit from the ability to choose shifts at their own discretion, which gives them career flexibility and diverse experiences that are not afforded in full time slots. If they use VitaWerks, they can even maximize their earning potential even further with AI-based matchmaking that instantly pairs them with the highest-paying facilities in their area .With the way the market stands now, it is clear that per diem nursing is here to stay. Market evaluations project that the per diem nursing industry will reach 11.1 billion USD by 2028. 

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How to CNA License Transfer from State to State

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How to CNA License Transfer from State to State

Traveling nursing is the best way for Certified Nursing Assistants to find lucrative, high-paying temporary gigs. It also lets them build a varied work portfolio while taking in sights and experiences unique to the states they temporarily reside in. All this is true and a huge benefit, but licensing can be an issue. Your CNA practice license is specific to the state you acquired it in. You may need to jump a few hoops in order to transfer your license and practice cross-state. If your heart is set on travel CNA nursing, this guide will teach you all you need to know about CNA license transfer.

Misconceptions about the NLC and “multi-state CNA licenses”

You may have heard about the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). This is a cross-state agreement that allows nurses to practice across different states, with minimum hassle or paperwork. You may be asking yourself: Does your CNA license transfer between states, under this legislation? Sadly, the NLC only applies to Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses(LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN). Other HCPs, like Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) must hold licenses in individual states.

 If you wanted to know how to get a multi state cna license, you are asking yourself the wrong question. Luckily, obtaining cross-state licensure does not necessarily mean starting from scratch. 

Reciprocity and you

If your home state has a reciprocity agreement with your target work state, life will be far easier for you. For the uninitiated, nurse reciprocity between states allows nurses to transfer their licenses without having to start from scratch. More often than not, you will simply be asked to fill in some paperwork and pay a fine after you apply. It is that simple. Reciprocity requirements will vary depending on the state, but you typically want to have active CNA certification and a clean reputation with your home state (which usually means a clean criminal record, among other things.) 

Before anything else, you will want to contact your State Board of Nursing to ask whether or not they have nurse license reciprocity with your target state. If the answer is yes, you may ask them for a reciprocity form that you will fill out and fulfill as soon as possible. Most states will provide you with a reciprocity form that will contain every task and requirement you will need to complete, in order to transfer your licensure. For example: CNA license transfer to California will require you to submit the following: 

  • CNA Reciprocity Application
  • Fingerprints obtained from a Live Scan Agency and a properly completed Request for Live Scan Service (BCIA8016) form
  • Copy of your out-of-state CNA license
  • Proof of paid nursing or nursing-related work over the last two years.
  • Verification of Current Nurse Assistant Certification (CDPH 931) 

Even if they do not have a reciprocity form, you can rely on your State Board of Nursing to fill you in on what you need to do, and who you need to talk to to transfer your license.

What if there is no reciprocity? 

Not every state is a nurse reciprocity state. If this is the case, then you have no choice but you have to start from the beginning of the certification process. You have to take their exams, go through the mandated classes and fulfill the state’s various unique requirements. 

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5 Common Career Changes for Nurses

Pretty smiling lady doctor with stethoscope holding laptop computer and looking aside isolated
  • Hello • February 8, 2023

5 Common Career Changes for Nurses

By nature, nursing is a stressful and demanding line of work. In recent times, the long hours and immense workloads have led to widespread burnout across the industry.

Luckily, your options are not constrained in the slightest. A background in nursing work is a desirable trait in several different industries. 

If you are second-guessing your future in clinical work or you simply want a change in scenery, you have come to the right place. This article will go over a handful of good jobs for ex-nurses. 

Medical Writer

Your nursing knowledge will be highly sought after, in content marketing spaces. Medical content writers are tasked with writing informed and well-researched healthcare pieces of varying types. This makes it a great career change option for nurses. 

From research papers to clinical trial reports, to medical equipment manuals and more, you will be dealing with various assignments and duties. With the BLS projecting a 6% growth rate in the technical writing space in 2021-31, and a median salary of $78,060, the future of medical content writing is bright.

Nurse Educator

As a nurse educator, you will be in charge of assisting HCPs with their Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and developing/updating nurse training programs for facilities. Outside of hospitals, you can even find work in educational institutions, nursing facilities, laboratory settings and more. 

You will need a bachelor’s degree in health education or nursing and a valid RN license at the bare minimum. Depending on where you apply, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) may increase your hiring ability.

In the wake of the ongoing nursing shortages, facilities are looking to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. Since training and onboarding is a vital part of that process, nurse educators are expected to surge in demand over the coming years. 

The BLS currently estimates a median annual salary of $79,640 and a staggering 22% growth rate from 2021-31. This is undoubtedly one of the most promising new nursing careers. 

Clinical Informatics Specialist

Hospitals handle all kinds of sensitive, classified data regularly. As a Clinical Informatics Specialist (CIS), you will be in charge of managing these digital databases, maintaining their security and integrity, and proposing and implementing plans to improve the pre-existing data framework.

CIS nurses are also in charge of creating user-friendly interfaces and teaching HCPs how to navigate them, to access the needed information. At the bare minimum, you will need a couple of years of nursing experience and a background in IT. 

As the healthcare world continues to digitize, CIS will remain hotly demanded. The BLS predicts that the profession will grow up to 7% over the next decade, while Payscale estimates a median salary of $78,234. 

Director of Care Management 

Understandably, several hospital administrators have a base of nursing experience. As Director of Care Management, you are tasked with ensuring that your hospital’s care meets a certain standard of quality. This involved developing hospital policies and staff procedures while considering feedback on all levels. 

On paper, you need a bachelor’s degree at the bare minimum. Master’s degrees are also common, and undoubtedly provide an advantage to your application. 5 years of clinical or administrative experience in hospital settings is highly recommended.

With regards to median salary, directors top the list at $101,340 annually. The profession is also set to grow by 28%, from 2021-31. 

Social Worker

Social workers are a perfect fit for nurses looking to “make a difference” with their labor. You will be in charge of providing care and much-needed guidance to the underprivileged and marginalized. This includes (but is not limited to) low-income families, incarcerated individuals, and people afflicted with crippling disabilities. 

Though regular social workers just need a bachelor’s degree, clinical social workers need at least a master’s. Compared to other professions, the median annual salary sits at a modest $50,390, with a 9% projected employment growth rate. If this is a concern, keep in mind that a background in social work can serve as an avenue to higher-paying positions in the future. 

Go out There! 

This just scratches the surface of career change options for nurses. For HCPs looking for different scenery, the options are vast and numerous.

It may seem daunting initially but fret not. With enough time, patience and dedication, you will find a new nursing career that suits you best. 

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How to Care For your Body as a Busy Nurse

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How to Care For your Body as a Busy Nurse

The grind of a typical nursing shift leaves little time for self-care. It may not seem like much, but the stress of eating, inactivity and bad nurse home health adds up. Unhealthy nurses get tired more quickly and are less equipped to handle the rigours of a shift. 

In this guide, we will go over how nurses can stay fit in spite of their busy schedules. With some commitment, you can incorporate these healthy habits into even the most packed schedules.

 Light Exercise

Exercise helps you stay in shape and boosts your body’s production of feel-good hormones like serotonin and endorphins. Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to incorporate a rigorous, 

3-hour routine into a nurse’s life.

Taking 30-minute walks before or after work will suffice. At home, yoga is perfect for low-intensity cardio that produces fruitful results over time. Ultimately, how hard you work out is not as important as your daily commitment.

 Get Rest When you Can

 Well-rested nurses are healthier, less likely to stay sick and more productive. Between lengthy shifts, getting the rest you need is easier said than done.

When you are at home, getting the prerequisite 8 hours of sleep is crucial for nurse health care. At work,  take short 20 to 30- minute naps in your break time, whenever you can. If you work the night shift, you want to sleep at least 3 to 4 hours during the day in preparation.

 Eat Healthy While working Long Nursing Shifts. 

Munch on Healthy Snacks

When you feel light hunger pangs, you may be tempted to munch on chips or candies somewhere off in the corner. For nurse healthcare, consider replacing these unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives.

 Snacks high in protein, carbohydrates and other nutrients will give you the energy needed to make it through the day. These include, but are not limited to:

  •  Mixed nuts
  • Chicken salad
  • Hummus
  • Eggs
  • String chees
  • Greek yogurt
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How Nurses Can Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Disorder

If ever you feel your mood going down once fall folds into winter, that is completely normal. Seasonal affective disorder symptoms affect nurses across the country. These include (but are nor limited to) Running low on enthusiasm or energy, overeating and oversleeping, or being unable to focus on your current tasks.

 If you find yourself feeling SAD this holiday season, then the following tips may be of use to you. With the right mindset and the right seasonal affective disorder treatment, anyone can dig themselves out of this funk.

 Take in Some Natural Sunlight

One of the root causes of SAD is the lack of sunlight in winter. You start producing more serotonin and less melatonin, and this imbalance feeds into SAD depression. Beyond that, dark surroundings just naturally feed into a gloomy atmosphere.

To combat this, you want to soak in sunlight at every opportunity. Open your windows in the morning to let the natural light in. If you can, make it a habit to take early walks. There are also specialized sunlight lamps that are specifically designed to imitate natural light.

This “light therapy” can be used early in the day, as an alternative to natural light. This seasonal affective disorder treatment is not perfect, but it is effective in a pinch. 

 Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

 When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that help combat seasonal affective disorder symptoms. Additionally, it provides an outlet for any pent-up tension and worries.

 Slowly but surely, you will also start feeling better about yourself and your body image. You do not have to pick up a brutal 3-hour regiment (although nothing is stopping you). Taking low-intensity walks, doing yoga, or committing to a light cardio routine is more than enough.

As long as you can commit to 30+ minutes of regular exercise, your hard work will eventually pay dividends.

 Spend Time with your Loved Ones

 Working through a busy nursing work week, in a cold dark winter can be an isolating experience. Spending time with your friends, family and loved ones can make a huge difference. Quality time with others is the essence of the holiday spirit, after all. Whenever you are free, it is never a bad idea to plan an outing to watch a movie or go shopping at the mall. If you still want to stay home, you can invite friends over for a board game night, dinner or a movie watch party. If your friend invites you to a Christmas party, think twice before turning down the offer. Seeing new faces may be just what you need, to freshen things up in life.

Consult a Professional

 There are times when you cannot “power through” seasonal affective disorder. At its worst, SAD can completely derail your sleep or eating schedule. If your condition is crippling your ability to function in daily life, consider seeing a therapist, doctor or another qualified professional.

You may need seasonal affective disorder medication and this is completely normal. Always remember that mental health problems are just as valid as physical ones, and the two are deeply intertwined. You have to do what is best for you.

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Nursing Licensure Compact: Benefits and Drawback

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Nursing Licensure Compact: Benefits and Drawback

The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement that lets nursing licenses carry over across the states under the compact. On paper, this is great news for nurses looking to move or travel nurses looking to expand their options.

While this sounds like an excellent system on paper, there are still states that have not bought into the NLC. To understand why this is the case, we will go over the perceived advantages and disadvantages of the NLC.

Advantages

 Less Needless Paperwork

Applying for a nursing license for every new state you visit can be seen as a cumbersome and outdated process. The NLC cuts through the paperwork and allows qualified nurses to pick up work in a new area as soon as possible.

Considering how fast and digitized the healthcare industry has become, this shift allows facilities to catch up with the times.

Addresses the Nursing Shortage

 The pandemic has accelerated a nursing shortage that has crippled various facilities. Certain areas of the country simply do not have enough manpower to resolve the cases in front of them.

In theory, the NLC tackles this problem head-on. Nurses from other states can relocate to areas in dire need for job opportunities, without having to repeat the licensure process from scratch.

Disadvantages

States will have to Compromise

Certain states have unique educational requirements that, in their mind, ensure a certain level of quality from their HCPs. Accepting the NLC means accepting nurses who might not have these required continuing education units or documentation, which some states may be unwilling to budge for.

Not Universally Accepted

 Unfortunately, some hospitals will not recognize any cross-state nurses, even if they are technically under the NLC. Certain facilities may only look to accept nurses with local nursing licenses, as a matter of principle.

Before you relocate or apply for a particular job, make sure that that specific hospital accepts NLC-covered licenses.

Conclusion

The NLC is not perfect. There is no doubt that full implementation will require compromise and some extra administrative headaches, on the part of state governing bodies.

For the average working nurse, however, they present an overwhelming breadth of opportunities. Under the NLC, nurses can find work across state lines without having to go through red tape or extra licensure fees.

No longer are HCPs confined to the arbitrary borders of their states. With the right travel agency or the services of the VitaWerks staffing app, nurses can maximize their earning potential with the best rates in the country.

States have much to gain from the arrangement, as well. With the NLC, manpower can be reallocated to areas in dire need of nursing work.

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How Nurses can keep Holiday Anxiety Under Control

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How Nurses can keep Holiday Anxiety Under Control

The holidays are a stressful and hectic time for anyone. For nurses, the winter rush is stacked on top of their regular, occupational pressure.

Between lengthy shifts, negotiation-free time and all the Christmas-related obligations, anxiety naturally begins to build up. This stress cannot be completely mitigated or removed, but nurses can do their best to keep things under control.

So that your holiday season is as merry and jovial as possible, this guide will go over tips on how to regulate holiday anxiety, as a nurse.

 Recognize that Stress is a Problem

Admitting that you have an issue is the first step towards addressing it. You want to recognize that the holiday season is getting to you, in a real way.

Holiday stress can take on many different shapes. Irritability, depression, and uneasiness are just a couple of its manifestations.

If it is severe enough, you could end up feeling a host of physical symptoms. Indigestion, insomnia, overeating, fatigue and regular headaches are natural products of stress.

 Do not let it Build Up

 You may be tempted to keep all these thoughts to yourself. You could justify it by telling yourself that “others do not need to get as stressed as I do.”

If you keep holding it to yourself, you will eventually reach a boiling point. Suffering silently will only lead to further suffering.

Instead, you want to talk it out with someone who is willing to lend an ear. Whether it is a close family member, a friend or a lover, solidarity can make a world of a difference.

 Create a plan of Attack

 Working off the cuff is the perfect way to get yourself tangled and stressed out of your mind. Instead of improvising, try to make a holiday plan that covers all the possible bases.

Make a list of all the obligations and tasks you would like to accomplish. Get-togethers, gift-buying, workplace dues and more all fall under this umbrella.

 

Be Realistic

A lot of holiday stress can be linked to overextending. You cannot go to every Christmas party, buy every gift you want or make all your obligations work.

 It pays to be realistic. You need to know the constraints you are working under and make compromises, whenever necessary.

 You will not hit all your holiday goals perfectly and that is completely fine.

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Why the 12-hour Shift Could Cause Nursing Burnout

Medical assistant falling asleep while using computer and keyboard for healthcare. Woman nurse using monitor on desk, feeling exhausted and working late at night. Tired practitioner
  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Why the 12-hour Shift Could Cause Nursing Burnout

In 2015, BMJ Open published a study examining the correlation between the 12-hour nursing shift and burnout. Its sample size consisted of around 31,627 registered nurses across 488 hospitals and 12 countries.

The results were somewhat predictable. Compared to healthcare professionals (HCPs) working 8 nursing shift hours or less, nurses who took 12-hour shifts were “more likely to experience burnout, depersonalization, and high job dissatisfaction.” Naturally, these correspondents were also more likely to express interest in leaving their jobs altogether.

An increase in working hours was found to have a correlation with other negative outcomes. More burnout was linked to a stark decrease in the quality of care and significantly higher risks of medical error. The economic damage due to “increased absenteeism and higher turnover” was also notable. Too many long nursing night shifts burn patients, facilities and HCPs alike, in the long run.

Concerns about mandatory overtime skyrocketed during the pandemic. Reflecting BMJ Open’s findings, increased work hours (among other factors) lead to burnout and increased turnover rates.

Eight years later and the results of this study are hauntingly relevant. 12-hour shifts for nurses are not uncommon, in the current environment. In extreme cases, some HCPs may have a schedule of 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week.

Hospitals will not change their operations overnight. However, if they want to avoid further short-staffing problems in the future, then reevaluating the 12-hour nursing shift will be an essential step forward.

A packed nursing shift report sheet may look nice at the moment, but the consequences of such overwork could prove dire in the long run. All the available evidence points to a similar conclusion: The 12-hour nursing shift causes burnout.

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