Continuing education news: getting credit for your education.

Are you interested in providing quality continuing education to your nurses? If you are providing continuing education opportunities at your facility, you may be interested in receiving contact hours for nurses. Contact hours are often required for a variety of nursing certifications and specialties. Providing contact hours for nurses provides a great opportunity to provide in-house educational experiences to expand knowledge, provide continuing education opportunities, and assist in meeting competency requirements.

Many nurses look for approved GNA contact hours when making educational activities decisions. Because GNA is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), its approval is recognized by all other state nurses associations and most state boards of nursing. Of course, nurses licensed in other states are advised to check on that state's specific requirements regarding reciprocity. Accreditation indicates a respect for achieving a high standard of excellence and promoting commitment to high quality nursing practice. Approval of an educational activity ensures participants the program meets professional standards for continuing nursing education.

As an ANCC-Accredited Approver, the GNA offers two types of approvals to interested parties: Approval for an Individual Educational Activity or Approval to become a Provider. Approval for an Individual Educational Activity by GNA is awarded for a period of 2 years. Approval as a provider of continuing nursing education is awarded for a period of 3 years. If one wishes to have an individual educational activity approved by the GNA, the criteria and application packet can be downloaded from the GNA website at http:// www.georgianurses.org/ce_approval.htm.

On the other hand, if Approval as a Provider of continuing nursing education is desired, an application must be submitted to the GNA. The Criteria and application packet to become a Provider of continuing nursing education can also be found on the website: http://www.georgianurses. org/ce_provider_approval.htm

Once an entity is an Approved Provider of continuing nursing education, one can assess, plan, implement, and evaluate continuing nursing education activities according to the criteria established by the accredited approver (e.g. GNA).

If you are interested in becoming an approved provider or having an individual activity approved for contact hours, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 404-325-5536 or email [e-mail].

GNA will also assist in the process with a phone consultation to assist you in any way possible. Our staff is excellent and ready to assist you.

Recently, the GNA CE program was realigned to better support our customers. Dr. Debbie Hatmaker, GNA Chief Programs Officer, will maintain general oversight of the program and the day-to-day operations will be accomplished by a new member of the CE team, Kathy Hammond.

As the GNA CE program consultant, Kathy has accepted the responsibility of Administrator for the Accredited Approver Unit and Nurse Planner of the Accredited Provider Unit. She comes to GNA with more than 15 years of experience as the Nurse Planner and Administrator of an ANCC Accredited Provider unit.

Kathy has a diverse background in nursing ranging from acute care to home care. She carries a focus in education and clinical nutrition support. Dr. Hatmaker is pleased to welcome Kathy to the organization, "Kathy's experience in interpreting and implementing the ANCC continuing education criteria will be a great asset to GNA. "We're pleased to be able to bring in someone who can 'hit the ground running' and move our program forward." Kathy can be reached by phone at 404-325-5536 or email at [e-mail].

Dr. Hatmaker was recently appointed President of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The staff realignment will allow for appropriate oversight of GNA's CE program. Teiah Smith-Pipkin continues to support the program as GNA's Programs Support Assistant.

Kathy Hammond, MS, RN, BSN, RD, LD

Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN

Hammond is currently GNA nurse planner/ administrator. Hatmaker is currently GNA chief programs officer.