Choosing continuing education that’s right for you

There are many continuing education (CE) programs available to nurses, and it can be hard to choose programs in which to participate. With new continuing competency rules in effect, it is important to find quality CE programs that fit your needs.

Use this checklist to help you choose and evaluate a program that is right for you. (Use this checklist both BEFORE an activity (during your selection process) and DURING an activity (to make your evaluation), as appropriate.

• The objectives for the activity are clearly described and reflect my learning needs.
• This activity will improve my nursing practice / I will be able to use the content I learn.
• The target audience is clearly identified, and I fit into that group.
• The criteria for successful completion of the CE activity are clearly stated.
• The presenters / faculty are qualified to teach the content / develop my skills.
• The CE activity is free of commercial influence.
• The cost is reasonable.
• The sponsoring agency or individual coordinating the CE is a credible entity and is accredited or approved to provide contact hours to participants.
• The content will be presented in an unbiased way, or if biased, I am aware that a certain perspective will be emphasized.
• There will be an opportunity to evaluate and provide feedback to the CE provider.
• I will receive written certificate of completion of that activity indicating the number of contact hours / credit received.

Live Events

For a calendar for WSNA-approved CNE program offerings, visit: http://www.wsna.org/calendar

Online CNE

In addition to the many live educational events WSNA approves and / or provides, we are proud to offer CNE programs online at http://cne.wsna.org.

In addition, you can find other CNE programs from the American Nurses Association at https://learn.ana-nursingknowl... .

If you are seeking initial certification or re-certification from a national nursing specialty organization, a certain number (or percentage) of contact hours must be earned through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC COA), either directly or by an accredited approver such as WSNA. This approval signifies that all of the items in this checklist have been addressed.