West Virginia is a state that has a ton to offer to everyone. Full of beautiful landscapes, it is a land of endless adventures. If you are a professional in the healthcare sector, West Virginia is an excellent place to be.
The average base salary of a registered nurse in West Virginia is over $125,400, clearly showing that employers reward hardworking nurses fairly for their efforts. Despite offering lucrative career opportunities, the state is facing a staffing shortage. A recent report by the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA) reported a 19% vacancy for nurse positions across various healthcare settings and an alarming 26% turnover rate. These shortages significantly impact the state’s patient care, and increase operational costs.
The Governor of West Virginia recently announced that the state will contribute $20 million to the state budget to enact measures to combat the healthcare shortage. While these measures will help, practicing nurses must maintain their licenses and continue upholding West Virginia’s healthcare systems. Fast CE For Less has created this guide to walk you through the process of renewing your registered nurse license in West Virginia. The guide will help you understand the nursing board requirements in West Virginia for license renewal, nursing continuing education, and the process of filing your application with the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses.
How to Renew Your Registered Nurse License in West Virginia
Like other states, West Virginia strictly regulates the nursing profession to ensure nursing professionals are able to provide safe and effective patient care. This regulation includes the requirement for nurses to renew their licenses periodically.
The West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses issues licenses and oversees the renewal process, ensuring that nurses continue to meet the necessary standards and competencies. Typically, registered nurses must renew their licenses every two to three years.
By understanding the nursing board requirements in West Virginia, you can renew your credentials without facing issues. This section of the guide will cover the steps involved to help you streamline the process.
Step 1: Identify the Deadline to Renew Your Registered Nurse License
The first step in renewing your registered nurse license is identifying the last day to submit your application to the board without incurring late penalties or risking your license lapsing. With the deadline in mind beforehand, you can prioritize fulfilling all the nursing continuing education requirements and prepare your application in time.
Nursing boards typically issue licenses to registered nurses that expire after two to three years. In West Virginia, registered nurse licenses expire every two years. You need to keep track of your license status. The West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses issues licenses that expire on October 31 of every even-numbered year. Provided they have fulfilled the nursing continuing education requirements, license holders in West Virginia can start filing their applications with the board from September 1st. You can verify the status of your license through the West Virginia RN Board’s official website here.
Step 2: Fulfill Nursing Continuing Education Requirements
Nursing continuing education requirements are critical to prove to the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses that you are fit for license renewal. These requirements can involve completing a predetermined number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses, practice hours, or completing other certifications approved by the board.
In West Virginia, registered nurses must complete at least 12 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses to be eligible for license renewal. Of the 12, at least two must be on mental health conditions common to veterans. For the first renewal cycle, a nurse must compete at least three contact hours on best prescribing and drug diversion training. For every renewal period after, nurse must complete at least one hour.
Remember, qualifying for a renewed license requires completing nursing continuing education courses through a provider approved by the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses. While you will not be asked to provide the certifications while filling out your renewal application, you must retain them. The board can conduct random audits and request proof. Having them readily available is essential throughout the duration of your renewal period.
Step 3: File Your License Renewal Application
After you fulfill the nursing CEU requirements by completing at least 12 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses from an provider, you must file the renewal application.
You can do this online by visiting the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses official Nurse Portal here. Once you log into your account, you will see the option to renew your license. Select the option and fill out the form, providing all the requested information. After you complete the form, you must pay the $90 license renewal fee and submit your application.
Understand the Importance of Renewing Your Registered Nurse License on Time
Renewing your registered nurse license in West Virginia on time is crucial to being compliant with the state’s laws. In addition to completing the nurse continuing education courses, you must ensure that they are completed through a course provider approved by the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses To learn more about the specific nursing continuing education requirements for license renewal in West Virginia, visit www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-west-virginia.
To access convenient and affordable nursing continuing education courses approved by the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses, Fast CE For Less offers course bundles at www.fastceforless.com.
