There is a lot more to life in North Dakota than the incredibly friendly people and the beautiful scenery the state offers. Being a tax-friendly state with a low cost of living, North Dakota is a popular destination for professionals across all industries.
With a registered nurse in North Dakota having an average base salary of over $130,000 per year, it is an excellent place for nurses to call home. While the pay there hits the mark for matching the national average, the lower cost of living in North Dakota makes it a popular place for registered nurses to find lucrative career opportunities.
Like the rest of the country, North Dakota is also facing a nearly crippling staffing shortage among its nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the state lost 15% of its staff during the pandemic owing to unprecedented work hours and an existing staffing shortage that worsened during the time. The North Dakota Board of Nursing is encouraging more professionals to join the ranks to uphold its healthcare system.
Nurses currently practicing in the state must are also required to keep their license current. Renewing your registered nurse license is crucial. If you fail to do it on time, the license can lapse and require reinstatement. Until then, you will not be allowed to legally practice as a nurse.
If you are a new nurse, remember that license renewals are not as simple as submitting an application. There are certain steps involved that you must understand and follow. Fast CE For Less has created this guide to explain the process and streamline your license renewal when the time comes.
How to Renew Your Registered Nurse License
Nursing boards throughout the country issue licenses that expire every two to three years. Depending on the state’s nursing board, registered nurses holding licenses there must fulfill a set of requirements within the renewal period to qualify for a renewed license. In North Dakota, license renewal periods last two years.
You must identify the application deadline, fulfill your continuing competency requirements, and then file a completed license renewal application with the North Dakota Board of Nursing before your license lapses.
This section of the guide will explore the steps to renew your registered nurse license in North Dakota.
Step 1: Identify the Application Deadline to Renew Your Registered Nurse License
You must understand the nursing board requirements in North Dakota to ensure timely renewal of your license before it expires. In North Dakota, identifying the application deadline to renew your registered nurse license is easier than in most other states.
While some states tie the deadline to the license holders’ birthdays, the North Dakota Board of Nursing has a fixed date applicable for all nurses. When the board issues your first license, it will expire on December 31 of the following year. After that, you must renew your nursing license once every two years. Suppose you received your first license at some point last year. IYou will have to renew it before December 31st of this year. After that, you must renew it every other year before December 31st.
Step 2: Fulfill the Nursing Continuing Education Requirements
Once you know the duration of your renewal period and the last date to submit your application, you must focus on fulfilling your nursing continuing education requirements. In the state of North Dakota, registered nurses must complete at least 12 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses to be considered eligible for a new license. Additionally, the North Dakota Board of Nursing requires registered nurses to complete at least 400 hours of active duty during the renewal period. Without the practice hours and completed nursing continuing education courses, you cannot apply for a renewed registered nurse license.
If this is your first time renewing a registered nurse license in North Dakota, things will be slightly easier. First-time license holders do not need to complete 12 contact hours during their renewal period to qualify for a new license. Because you recently graduated from a nursing program, you also do not need 400 practice hours.
For every renewal period thereafter, you must complete these requirements. While you will not be asked to provide proof of completing 12 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses, we highly recommend holding on to your documentation in case the North Dakota Board of Nursing conducts a random audit and asks for it.
Step 3: Complete the Registered Nurse License Renewal Application
Once you fulfill your nursing continuing education requirements, you can begin filling out your license renewal application so you can file it with the North Dakota Board of Nursing before December 31. Fortunately, the process is fairly simple. When the time to renew your license is near, visit the North Dakota Board of Nursing’s official website to access the Board of Nursing Portal.
After signing in using credentials provided by the board, you must select the option to renew your registered nurse license. Beyond that, it is just a matter of filling out the form, following the prompts, and completing your payment. When you submit your application, you can make the payment online to complete the process. After reviewing your application, the North Dakota Board of Nursing will issue your new license.
Quick, Easy, and Convenient Nursing Continuing Education Course Bundles
State boards throughout the country overseeing nursing licenses issue credentials that expire every two to three years. By following this protocol, nursing boards ensure their workforce is current with the latest developments in healthcare. Additionally, it helps nurses expand their skills to advance their careers in their chosen specialties. In addition to being a requirement for license renewal, nursing continuing education courses can also benefit you in your career. To learn more about the nursing continuing education requirements in North Dakota, visit www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-north-dakota. Convenient, affordable, and flexible course bundles tailored for license holders in North Dakota, online nursing CEUs like those by Fast CE For Less are available at www.fastceforless.com.
