Just finished applying for my re-certification for my CFCN (Certified Foot Care Nurse). Dr. Tamler's DiabeZine about getting CME (continuing medical education, nurses may be more familiar with the term CEU or continuing education units, some call it CE continuing education) online was timely for me. Had it not been for the online CE I don't think I would have been able to fulfill my requirements this time around. I did though. I found a lot of CEs here on PRESENTDiabetes.com, Podiatry.com, as well as other sites. I learned a lot. Time was the biggest issue for me, but the fact I didn't have to pay for it and be gone was extremely helpful too. Anybody out there getting online CE more than in the past. Why?

Thanks for your comments Joy!

As as U.S. RD, CDE and BC-ADM who has to develop my Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) every five years to maintain my dietetic (Commission on Dietetic Registration - CDR), maintain my CDE CE requirements and then also maintain my BC-ADM credential and CE credits thru the American Nursing Credentially Center - it's a part-time job. And that's before you even set about learning and earning the CE!

Plus with the economy and cut backs for CE we need more low-cost virtual outlets. The good news is we are getting these through dietetic practice groups, corporate symposia, etc. PRESENTdiabetes.com represents another outlet for virtual CE. And as I just learned yesterday, CDR doesn't differentiate b/w CE earned in person or virtually. RDs in need of preapproved CE credits from the CDR) can listen to lectures by internationally respected experts - from Derek LeRoith, MD to Marion Franz, MS, RD, CDE and many others, and gain CE in the comfort of their jammies and for FREE. Bottomline - it's a great resource (even if I have to say so myself!)

Stay tuned...I'll be writing more on this topic in early 2010.

Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, BC-ADM

Nutrition Section Editor, PRESENTdiabetes.com

Hi - I have been the Director of the Nutrition Division for Ceu4u.com for 5 1/2 years now. it is an online continuing education site for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians. We have over 50 courses including a Diabetes section in our catalogue. We have seen traffic grow throughout the years and we look forward to becoming busier as the economy by necessity limits the affordability of  CE opportunities for our profession.
Kathy Shattler, M.S.,RD
Director of the Nutrition Division
CEU4U.COM, INC.
http://www.ceu4u.com

I have been doing more of my CEUs online as well in order to keep up with state licensure, CDR and meeting continuing ed requirements for maintaining my CDE.  It would be too expensive to go to live presentations to get all the credits needed so PRESENTdiabetes has been an excellent (free) resource.

Carol Sherman, MPH, RD, LD/N, CDE

I have developed a list of continuing education credits for both RD's and nursing. It includes many sites including Present diabetes. Wanted to be able to provide it to all RD or RN's that may want to get most of there Ceus free of cost. The sites include many well know food companies as well as non profit companies such as PCNA and Kidney.org. Looking to find out what other professionals would pay for this list. Thought that 20.00 per year for a quarterly newsletter would be a fair price.
You can get over 15 credits or more from all the sites that I have found.
Please let me know what you think. Is anyone interested in this. Spent alot of time getting them all together.

Yes, I think people would. When I was working on my re-certification, I would have been thrilled to pay $20.00 for such a source.

Thanks-EnJOY!

Joy Pape, RN BSN CDE WOCN CFCN

Contributing Nurse Editor PRESENT Diabetes

Laurel,
I think people would pay for this service. Would you snail mail or e-mail your quarterly newsletter? I'm getting more newsletters via e-mail which is convenient for me and saves the publisher printing and shipping costs.
Roxanne Stryyker

Hi, preparing a presentation needs a lot of time to control the materials and text references and slides, so that during a certain time the participants gain all the important practical notes. But learning would be completed by asking to refer to some more online pamphlets and new articles in journals and some questions about that textxs too. Also, some times review and discussing the difficult cases by all- and observe all other looks and possibilities. Had a good year. Thanks.

There are several companies that have started free CEU programs for nursing.  While they are focused on wound care they do have diabetes related issues tied into them.  Recently I have visited a few of these sites and taken advantage of the free CEU programs for my continuing education credits for my different certifications.

Does anyone know if there is a limit to the number of virtual credits that can be used for CDE recertification?

Carol Sherman, MPH, RD, LD/N, CDE

This is an interesting question Joy. With all the drains on our time and the requirements for CEU"S going up this is the future. Having participated in many programs, both as author and participant, I enjoy the ability to learn at my convienience. Programs are developed by capable people from credible organizations and they help us meet our requirements without the hastle of airline travel. They are  a cost value as well and with the industry blossoming we have more choices. I also like the opportunity to learn from colleagues in other fields without having to opt out of my own conventions inorder to learn from them in their fields. We never stop learning.

Hi!
There is no virtual limitation to the number of ceus you obtain to maintain your CDE. For credit specifics, please visit

http://www.ncbde.org/renewal_requirements.cfm.

Kathy J. Shattler, M.S.,RD
Director of Nutrition Division
Ceu4u.com
A Continuing Education Site for Nurses and Dietitians

:

I'm thrilled to report that I got word yesterday that I met the requirements to be recertified as a certified foot care nurse. I have to thank PresentDiabetes.com, and PresentPodiatry.com, and let you all know that I received many of my CEUs right here. With all that's happened in diabetes and in my life over these past five years, getting my CEUs this way saved me. Of course I had to validate my credits. PresentDiabetes.com keeps your information for you. Go to My home, then on that page go to My Lecture Completion and you'll have it. I also save the certificate as a pdf in my files. I had all the validation I needed.  

Joy,
I certainly agree that this website offers great CEs. Not only has it helped me, but I am an ADA Program Coordinator for seven sites and this website has helped the other educators meet their CE requirements as well. That helps so much in meeting this ADA requirement.
Roxy

 This site has been helpful in learning from others also.  I have used it for ceu's as well.I have been scheduled to take my CDE exam for the first time on June 1st. I am really nervous. If anyone has taken the test recently and has any words of wisdom I am open to comments. At any rate wish me luck!

I did hear that my portfolio was approved.  Yeah! I'm re-certified by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) as a Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN) for another five years. I'm now convinced using online continuing education counts towards the educational component of certification and re-certification. Thank you PRESENT Diabetes for having the educational material available and provided by a Recognized Continuing 

Education Provider!

To my friends and colleagues, go for it! Use this opportunity to fulfill your continuing educational requirements. And please do check out my upcoming Nurzine 36. 

EnJOY!
Joy
Proud to be the Contributing Nurse Editor for Present Diabetes 

Congratulations Joy! on your recertification.
I recommend presentdiabetes to colleagues all the time not only for the free CEs but for the wealth of information I find on the e-talks, nurzines, etc. Roxy

Thanks Roxy,

I'm with you. Talk about up to date, these eTalks are fabulous for learning and keeping up to date.

Thank you for all of your contributions.

EnJOY!

Joy