Nurses in how many other states are required to do Bioterrorism CEU's?

[Ilsa]

I have a RN license which I use in private practice, not public use in a hospital or public clinic. The Tx lege has seen fit to appease the Dept of Homeland security and require bioterrorism ceu's of all nurses renewing licenses. It must not be a real pressing matter as we have until around 2007 to acquire just two CEU's as part of our regular 20.

I could see seeking out Bioerroism ceu's if I worked medical-surgical units or public health clinics or emergency care. Seems like a waste of my time...

Comments?

[Indiana_Dem]

1. I work med-surg in Indiana

and we don't have to do anything like that. Heck we don't have to do anything to keep up our license unless we want to.

[leesa]

2. Seems like a waste of your time. I suggest you refuse.

I know Bush is just dying to unleash his next "terrorist" attack against us, but you should not participate in his fear-mongering. Remember when they sent all healthcare workers information we were to acknowledge in writing. Mine went back to them with a refusal to participate in fear-mongering. This is pointless BS.

[Snow]

3. Speaking as an epidemiologist, it'd be nice if

primary care clinicians knew the difference between say, chicken pox and smallpox. Or not to panic with an anthrax patient (they aren't contagious). Hmmm, what else? Nothing else really plausible comes to mind - what do you think?

[Ilsa]

4. That is reasonable.

But there are many of us that do not work in the frontlines of public health. By the time I see a client in my field, she (always a "she") has already seen about 100 other health care workers including several doctors.

For me, unless the state is going to draft me into mandatory service in the event of a bio-terror event, this is a waste of my money and time. I even wonder if someone in politics doesn't have their hands in the till for making a few bucks on the testing and accreditation.

[Snow]

5. I can envision needing every hand on deck if

we get a major flu outbreak. A student of mine who's head of the bioterrorism lab in a midwestern state ran some simulations of hospitalizations, deaths, services needed, and, fairly scary, clinicians who'd be knocked out of the game themselves in the event of a 1918, 1957 or 1965 (not sure of the latter two dates, but, you know, big flu outbreaks). The health care system as she stands would be completely & thoroughly knocked over. There's some things that can be done, but still....

[Ilsa]

9. I don't think I'll be a "hand on deck" for any such event.

I have two small children, one with a disability who depends on me physically and emotionally. I became a nurse when I was childless, and as far as I can tell, my license does not require me to risk sacrificing myself. I have no intention of exposing myself in the event of a bioterror attack or nasty outbreak of "flu". Ergo, I don't think I need the specifics of this training.

Now if the govt. wants to train all citizens on how to be prepared, that is a different subject.

[Ramsey]

6. I don't think there are many

I participate in an terrorism task force for radiological terrorism through my professional society, and as far as I understand there are only a few states training medical personnel for terrorism response at this point. I know Connecticut has an extensive pilot program, and I recall a couple of other states.

[Sacajawea]

7. Haven't heard anything about this for RNs in New York yet.....

n/t

[rustydog]

8. Attend one WMD seminar...

Then you will never think it is a waste of your time.
I'm not talking about alQaeda coming to get us. These programs, if presented by the front-line pros, open your eyes and helps one to prepare for any cataclysmic event. Volcano, earthquake, flood, WMD attack.

IF we were to suffer a Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical attack (NBC),
it would pay to know what to do when you are at home or on the road when it occurs.

I was lucky enough to attend a 3-day event sponsored by state law enforcement through the auspices of Homeland Security.

It is an eye opener to see what our government has to consider when preparing for an NBC event. If you were a cop and the Gov't quarantined your town..could you shoot grandma trying to break the quarantine? If you work in healthcare, do you have enough security to protect your facility? the police will be busy elsewhere!

I am not a fan of Gov't mandated education, but a good WMD seminar would be worth it.