While the US has no shortage of excellent nursing schools, Pennsylvania is the state that is home to some of the best institutions nationwide. For those seeking a lucrative career in the healthcare industry, Pennsylvania also boasts some of the best hospitals in the US. If you are a nurse, this state can be an excellent place to begin your journey.
Pennsylvania is a state that rewards nurses who move to the state and welcomes them for their skills. At around $94,600 per year, the average base salary for a registered nurse in Pennsylvania is slightly higher than the national average. In addition to the high volume of exciting career opportunities, the state offers plenty of cities and breathtaking landscapes that fit all lifestyles and interests, making it an excellent destination for nurses to live and work.
Like states across the country, Pennsylvania is facing a desperate need for qualified nurses now and in the future. Reports indicate that the state will experience a 30% nurse staffing shortage in the next three years. To combat the issue, hospitals throughout the state are incentivizing professionals to become nurses through flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement programs, and more.
As the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing continues its efforts to encourage more professionals to join the ranks of qualified nurses, currently practicing nurses must also do their part in upholding the state’s healthcare system. As a registered nurse in Pennsylvania, you must keep your license current and renew your credentials before they expire.
Fast CE For Less has created this guide to help registered nurses in the state understand the process of renewing their registered nurse licenses.
How to Renew Your Registered Nurse License in Pennsylvania
Nursing boards in the US issue licenses to nurses that expire every two to three years. The time between a license being issued and its expiry is called the renewal period. During this time, registered nurses must fulfill requirements set by their respective nursing boards to qualify for renewed credentials and submit their applications before the deadline.
The nurse continuing education requirements, application deadlines, and licensing fees differ from one state to the next. This section of the guide will explore the steps you must follow to renew your registered nurse license in Pennsylvania.
Step 1: Determine the Final Date to Submit Your Application for License Renewal
Every state’s nursing board sets its own renewal period for license holders working within its jurisdiction. The renewal period for registered nurses typically spans two to three years. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing has set the renewal period for two years. That means you must fulfill your nurse CEU requirements within two years of receiving your license and submit your application before the two-year deadline.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing sends notices to license holders within its jurisdiction when the expiry date for their current licenses is close. However, it is up to every license holder to keep track of their license status. It is important to note that you must give yourself plenty of time between completing your nursing continuing education requirements and your application deadline.
Failing to renew your credentials before your deadline can cause your license to lapse. If your license expires before you renew it, you must go through the longer and more expensive process of reinstating your license. Remember: You cannot practice as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania without an active license.
Step 2: Fulfill the Nurse Continuing Education Requirements
Within their renewal periods, license holders must complete the requirements defined by their respective nursing boards to become eligible for renewed credentials. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing has set simple nursing continuing education requirements for registered nurses. During their renewal periods, registered nurses must complete at least 30 contact hours of nursing continued education courses. For the initial renewal period, nurses must ensure that they also complete at least three contact hours of a Pennsylvania State Board approved course on child abuse recognition and reporting.
Step 3: Complete Your Application with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
After completing your nursing CEU requirements, you must apply for your license renewal online by visiting the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing’s official website here. You must log in using the credentials shared with you by the board and follow the prompts to submit your application. While the board will not request proof of whether you completed the contact hours of nursing continuing education courses when you submit your application, it is necessary to retain the documentation in case of random audits.
Once you complete your application, you must pay the $122 license renewal fee online to complete the process. After the board reviews your application, it will mail your new license to your registered address. In case you move to another address, you must update your address with the board within 14 days. The board will only send your license to the address in its database, and the post office will not forward it to a new address.
Understand the Nurse Continuing Education Requirements for License Renewal
Nursing boards set varying nurse continuing education requirements for registered nurses to qualify for license renewal. In Pennsylvania, registered nurses must complete at least 30 contact hours of nursing CEU courses. To renew their initial license, registered nurses in Pennsylvania must complete at least 3 contact hours of child abuse recognition and reporting. To learn more about the nurse continuing education requirements to renew your license in Pennsylvania, visit www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-pennsylvania. To access convenient, affordable, and flexible course bundles tailored to help you fulfill your continuing competency requirements, visit www.fastceforless.com.
