February 24, 1998
KALAMAZOO -- A series of workshops at Western Michigan University this spring will help nurses meet new continuing education requirements for their profession.
The series, "Nursing Continuing Education," is being sponsored by WMU's School of Nursing and Office of Professional Programs and Conferences in cooperation with the Southwest District Nurses Association. It is designed to enhance professional skills in patient care, administration and personal effectiveness.
Natalie Richert, a conference coordinator in the professional programs and conferences office, said the Michigan Board of Nursing now requires nurses to obtain 25 hours of continuing education credit every two years in order to renew their license.
The requirement went into effect in May 1996 and applies to all nurses. Those renewing their license after May 1998 must have earned their 25 hours of credit during the two prior years.
"Because this is a new state mandate, there aren't many providers of nursing continuing education in Michigan," Richert said. "We'd like to become a major provider of this type of professional training."
The first workshop series will be offered on the WMU campus in Kalamazoo starting March 21.
"We're hoping to continue the series by offering workshops throughout the year and at sites throughout the state," Richert said. "WMU is perfectly suited to offering an expanded training program. Not only is our School of Nursing accredited and approved as a continuing education provider, but our Division of Continuing Education has an effective delivery system through its five regional centers and two site offices."
The continuing education division operates Michigan's second largest extension program and supports regional centers in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Muskegon as well as site offices in Holland and Traverse City.
The first nursing workshops and the dates they will be offered are: "Verbal De-escalation Skills: How to Manage Difficult Patients," Saturday, March 21; "Stress Management for the Caretaker," Monday, March 30; "Communication -- Making It Work for You!," Saturday, April 18; "Behavioral Pharmacology of Illicit Drugs," Friday, April 24; "Suicide Seminar: Intervention Strategies and Clinical Considerations," Wednesday, May 6; and "Coping with Death, Dying and Prolonged Illness in the Workplace," Saturday, May 16.
Each workshop is worth six nursing continuing education hours of credit and will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Sangren Hall. The cost is $100 per workshop for members of the Southwest District Nurses Association and $110 for nonmembers. This fee includes all workshop materials and parking.
Although geared toward those in the nursing profession, the workshops are open to any health care professional who may benefit from the experience. For more information or to register, persons may call Richert in the Office of Professional Programs and Conferences at (616) 387-4174.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron; jeanne.baron@wmich.edu
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu
http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news