Sedation Certification accepts CE Credits from Life Support Courses for Certification Renewal
Effective with programs taken on or after May 1, 2013.
Examples of acceptable content include:
ACLS, PALS, NRP and other similar offerings.
This change is in response to a revision by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers (ANCC). On May 1, 2013, the ANCC reversed their 2009 decision to restrict life support content for RN continuing education. This reversal means that once again, the AAMSN/HV can accept life support content for sedation recertification. Click here for the new policy statement.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via info@sedationcertification.com
Reversed statement below:
FROM: Mary Moon Allison, MHSE, BSN, RN,CAE
Director, ANCC Accreditation Program
ANCC recently sent a notice of the interpretation of the COA [NOTE: The “COA” in this documents refers to the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation, which has no relation to the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs] regarding the practice of awarding contact hours for activities such as BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc. (That message is repeated below.) This practice was considered after receiving a request and information from a state board of nursing. We regret that the rationale for the Commission’s decision was not disseminated along with the decision. The discussion of the COA was:
BLS is no longer an augment to the nurse’s basic knowledge. Therefore it doesn’t meet the definition of continuing nursing education. Universities now require the student to be certified in BLS before ever entering the academic program. BLS is not an augmentation of knowledge; it is a basic preparation for training.
The advanced life support activities meet the definition of CNE because they are not included in the nurse’s basic training and therefore augment that training. However, these courses do not change often or significantly. Therefore, renewal of certification is meant to validate that the knowledge previously obtained has been retained. It does not augment that knowledge.
Please note:
The issue discussed was related to whether the courses meet the definition of continuing nursing education. It did not address the issue of these courses typically being “canned‟ courses. The COA’s discussion did not even mention the issue of “canned‟ courses and that was not a relevant factor in the decision.
The effective date of this interpretation is two years away. This was done in order to avoid necessitating any mid-stream changes.
The COA understands that the courses sometimes see significant revisions based on new evidence. The COA has agreed to continually monitor the more common advanced courses for significant revisions. If significant revisions occur, then the COA may re-visit the current interpretation of whether the course meets the definition of continuing nursing education.
Original Message Subject: BLS, ACLS, PALS and related courses sent on May 21, 2009:
At their May 19, 2009 meeting, the Commission on Accreditation decided that contact hours for BLS and other basic “canned” courses may not be awarded. Any courses currently being presented (by either accredited providers or approved providers) must cease to award contact hours by June 1, 2011.
The Commission also decided that contact hours for renewal of ACLS, PALS and other advanced “canned” courses may not be awarded. Any courses currently being presented (by either accredited providers or approved providers) must cease to award contact hours by June 1, 2011.
Awarding contact hours for initial ACLS, PALS and other advanced “canned” courses is still permitted.
Barbara Feild
Sr. Accreditation Specialist
barbara.feild@ana.org
American Nurses Credentialing Center
8515 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
800-284-2378, ext 5263