CEUs & Chemotherapy

Professional nursing certification and licensing requires a nurse to obtain continuing education units (CEUs). One area a nurse may receive continuing education credits in is chemotherapy.

Types

Chemotherapy CEUs may be obtained by attending workshops, often lasting a day or two, by completing online courses or attending a class at a community college, university or hospital.

Signficance

For nurses working in rural or isolated areas, earning CEUs in chemotherapy can be a practical way to gain expertise needed to treat the special needs of cancer patients. The workshop format is sufficient for a nurse to learn treatments and techniques necessary to appropriately treat oncology patients.

Features

CEUs in chemotherapy can include topics such as chemotherapy drugs, administering chemotherapy, safe handling practices, managing potential side effects, patient communication about chemotherapy, interventions for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, combination therapies and the development of cancer.

Amount

CEUs may be awarded in amounts such as six to 13 contact hours of credit for a one-day class, to only a few hours for a shorter class. Some workshops are extended through online or distance learning components and may earn 25 or more credit hours depending on the course and the requirements.

References

• Oncolink: Management of Chemotherapy
• Providence Health and Services Nursing Station: CE Chemotherapy
• Oncology Nursing Forum: Using Oncology Nursing Society
• Nurse: Cancer and Chemotherapy
• Nursing Unlimited: Chemotherapy Course