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When you're in the nursing field, meeting your Continuing Education Unit (CEU)requirement
is exactly that: a requirement. In order to keep your license, you have to keep learning
and keeping up with changes in the medical field. Unfortunately, nurses can have busy schedules,
so finding time to meet your CEU requirements can be a challenge. If you find yourself struggling
to find time for continuing education courses, there are a few options you can consider that might
make it easier for you.
Change your work schedule
If your employer and schedule allows, you could plan your schedule around your class.
This is probably the most convenient option, if it is an option for you. It would allow you
to take a traditional course in a classroom setting while still working full time.
This option may not work well if you have to work a rotating schedule, or have certain times
you have to be on-call. It also may not work if you work in a healthcare facility that keeps
more traditional day hours, such as a clinic that's open during weekdays from nine in the morning
until five in the evening.
Consider an online course
Depending on what course or courses you plan to take, an online course may be an option for
you. One of the benefits of an online course is its flexibility. You can study the material
and do the assignments at your convenience instead of needing to be in a classroom at a
certain time each week.
Look into evening or weekend courses
If you work in an environment that has a more traditional day schedule, you can consider
an evening or weekend course. This does depend on your schedule, but it may allow you to
take your courses without changing your work schedule at all.
One drawback to this option is that it also depends on your schedule outside of work. If
you have commitments in the evenings or on weekends regularly, an evening or weekend class
may not work for you.
Investigate independent study courses
This may not be an option for your specific CEU requirements, but many schools and professors
offer their courses as independent studies. In this instance, you would work with the professor
one-on-one in meetings that meet your schedules. Since you would be the only student in the
course at the time, there would be able to be flexibility with your work schedule, and perhaps
even the assignment and exam dates. However, this is dependent on whether or not you can take
your CEU requirement as an indpendent study, and if any are available to you.
While you do have to find time to meet your CEU requirements, the good news is that there may
be lots of options available to you to make it happen without causing too many problems. Find
out what's available to you, what works for your schedule, and you'll be on the right track to
putting your CEU requirements behind you.
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