Pricing and Costs of Continuing Education in Nursing
Determine pricing and costs of continuing education in nursing to further your career
Once you've received your RN degree, you should further your career by attending extended education in nursing programs. Since this is a field where new drugs emerge and better technology appears, enlisting in CEUs (continuing education units) can keep your brain aware of these changes. In addition, certain states require CEUs on specific courses, such as domestic violence, in order for those to keep their license.Since you need to take nursing CEUs to stay current with nursing trends, there are numerous options to evaluate while finding the perfect fit for you. Consider the following when examining pricing and costs of continuing education in nursing:
1. Seek out scholarships geared toward those enrolled in nursing continuing education classes.
2. Enroll in an online nursing continuing education program.
3. Find affordable colleges or universities that offer programs for continuing education for nurses.
Locate scholarships for nurse continuing education classes
Don't think that because schooling is expensive that you cannot afford it. Search around for scholarships to keep the cost down. There's nothing wrong with using financial assistance to secure your dream of attending a nurse continuing education program.
Try: The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers full or partial scholarships for those in the continuing education in nursing program. These scholarships are for conferences and clinical updates for those in the program to attend. At $15, the university's two-hour nursing continuing education courses aren't expensive, however. The Massachusetts Nurses Association is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to those seeking a nursing continuing education provider. Check out its scholarship if you're a current member of the nursing industry in Massachusetts.
Look at facilities that offer nursing continuing education online programs
If you work during the day and don't have the means to attend school physically, then look to nursing CE programs offered online. You can attend these classes on your own time and from the comforts of home.
Try: The American Nurses Association Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development offers online nursing continuing education classes. This accredited association allows you to meet state licensing requirements with its classes, and these are free classes as long as you're an ANA member. If you prefer to study through a university's online system, then look to Villanova University. Its nursing CE program currently offers general classes or a series of classes that focus on psychology or on becoming a nurse manager, which are about $20 per contact hour.
Pick a college or university that offers continuing education for nurses
Maybe you want the traditional university experience while you further your nursing career. Check out affordable options when narrowing down your choices. Depending upon the school, look to spend around $20 per credit hour to around $150 for a teaching class.
Try: The University of Washington has a continuing nursing education program that provides conferences, annual updates and self-study classes to those in the health care industry. It also offers contact hour credit in continuing education. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a nursing school called the Center for Lifelong Learning. Catering to the state as well as national needs of clinical nurses, you can receive CEUs here while attending conferences.
- Check with your current employer for suggestions on where you can attend continuing education in nursing classes. Your employer might offer you a sabbatical or a bonus if you take certain courses or classes.
Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
