Option 1

What is a CE?
Many states already require nurses to provide proof of continued competency each time they renew their license. Georgia's Board recognizes Continuing Education Units, or Contact hours in any combination. A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is equal to ten contact hours.
Most courses are shorter, one or two contact hours, and that is usually how long they take to complete. The courses that make up those hours are usually referred to as CEs.

Some CEs are taught in the classroom, some are online. You can attend lectures or conferences and earn credits through them. You can even earn some credits through your favorite nursing magazines. Certain types of employer sponsored training are recognized as well. Click on the box that says  New Georgia Board of Nursing Requirements, then click on the third link Acceptable Providers for Continuing Education. At the end of the list, it explains what kind of training is not accepted as continuing education. Once you read through that, come back to this page by clicking on the Option 1 box.

This module should take you approximately two hours to complete, but one of those hours will be spent completing a CE from an outside provider. You will get credit from that provider and one contact hour for this.

Where can I find approved CEs?
Option 1 requires RNs to complete thirty continuing education hours and LPNs to complete twenty.
As you saw when you looked at the Acceptable Providers for Continuing Education page, only half of your CEs can come from employer sponsored classes, so you need to find another source. 
I have listed six to get you started. 

What are CEs like, are they difficult?
You are going to register with the CDC, it only takes a minute, then you will choose and complete a free CE. Click on the box that says Board Approved Sources, scroll down to the section on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), then click on the link. You may want to print these instructions out, so you can follow them as you go along. There are printable copies of each page on the J-drive under Nursing/Education/CEs. 
Click on the line that says "New Participant" its about a third of the way down the page. Follow the instructions to sign up. Once you are signed up, log in and it will take you to a "Participant Services" Page. 
We are going to complete the first module on Autism. Click on the picture of the book, it says "search and register" underneath it. This will take you to a page with three different search options. Type WB1873 in the box under "Key Word Search", then click the View button for that box. A link for "Autism Case Training: part 1" will show up. Click on the link.
On the next page, you may notice that under prerequisite, it lists Registered Nurses, but not Licensed Practical Nurses, LPNs can also complete this course, the list merely offers some examples. 
Find the box that says "Register Here" click on the dot next to "1.2 CNE for nurses" then click on "Submit".
This will take you to a page asking for some basic demographic information. Answer the questions and click "Submit".
The course page opens.
Follow the instructions on the page to complete both case studies. When you finish and close the second case study a page comes up that will congratulate you and take you to the printable certificate. Print the certificate, it will look like 

Make a copy of the certificate for yourself and put a copy in my box in the unit office. You just completed your first CE. That wasn't so bad, was it?