Continuing Education

Entering this center provides the opportunity to meet the challenges faced in the rapidly changing world of practice. To ensure the educational offerings from Cross Country University (CCU) meet the requirements of the profession, we sought out and achieved American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accreditation – the Gold Standard within nursing continuing education accreditation. This center also affords the opportunity for travelers to provide feedback on the products and services they need in order to fill the changing requirements for today's professional.

• As a Cross Country TravCorps traveler, your continuing education completed through Cross Country University will be accepted wherever you travel thanks to our ANCC accreditation. Cross Country University also is an approved provider of continuing education by the Florida Board of Nursing, Iowa Board of Nursing, and the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Cross Country University has collaborated with Wild Iris, to provide additional courses such as state specific licensure requirements offered at preferred pricing for Cross Country TravCorps travelers.
• Cross Country University offers more than 90 continuing education contact hours, in a variety of content areas, complimentary to you as a traveler.

Clarifying Continuing Education Definitions: What are CHs, CEUs and CMEs?

CH

American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation uses the term "contact hours" (CH) for continuing education credits. One contact hour provides “60 minutes of an organized learning activity, which is either a didactic or clinical experience.” The course must be related to the nursing practice, be above basic training level (as given in nursing school), and approved by an accredited provider. Courses or workshops from an ANCC-accredited provider have met strict criteria for quality content, are recognized by most states and agencies, and provide an avenue through which nurses can maintain professional competence. ANCC-accredited courses, certifications, and workshops promote a commitment to high-quality nursing practice.

CEU

The term "continuing education unit "(CEU) was established in 1970 when a national task force set out to establish a form of continuing education credit that was different from the academic system used in universities and colleges. The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) determined that one CEU would involve "10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction." This term is used by many licensed professions, including architects, engineers, teachers, and paraprofessionals.

The term CEU is in the public domain and any organization may award CEUs without strict criteria to assure a quality program. Employers and organizations can decide on an individual basis whether or not to accept CEUs.

CME

Continuing medical education (CME) is the unit defined by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). It is equal to one hour and relates to education utilized primarily by physicians to keep competent, current, and up-to-date in their medical knowledge.

*Source: New York Nurse: March 2009