Press Releases

CMS Establishes Employee Nursing CE Program

Company provides free, on-site Continuing Education courses for its RNs and LPNs

St. Louis - August 31, 2009

Correctional Medical Services, Inc. (CMS) is proud to announce a unique online Nursing Continuing Education (CE) program for its more than 3,000 nurses nationwide.

The program features standalone course modules on general nursing topics, as well as customized courses specific to Correctional Nursing developed by company clinical managers. Courses are available to CMS nurses via the company Intranet, as well as through an innovative elearning kiosk pilot program enabling employees to complete training at dedicated learning stations in their medical unit.The program features standalone course modules on general nursing topics, as well as customized courses specific to Correctional Nursing developed by company clinical managers. Courses are available to CMS nurses via the company Intranet, as well as through an innovative elearning kiosk pilot program enabling employees to complete training at dedicated learning stations in their medical unit.

Many state nursing boards require RNs and LPNs to complete 15-25 CE credit units annually for licensure renewal. Yet, nurses say they can find it difficult to locate and complete CE units on their own. CMS' new CE program allows nurses to complete education requirements on-site with no out-of-pocket costs.

The Nursing CE program was developed by CMS' Clinical Education Council, a group of nine clinical managers across the company. To date, more than 500 nurses have completed one or more of the 22 online CE courses available.

"We developed this program because we believe in investing in our nurses and providing them with a convenient way to stay updated with advances and changes in nursing practice," said Clinical Education Manager Lorry Schoenly. "The in-house courses make it much easier for our nurses to get the continuing education they need. We can also customize materials for the unique corrections environment. It's a great program for us all."

Andrea Gray-Hardy, Director of Nursing at Kilby Correctional Facility in Mt. Meigs, Alabama, has taken two courses in the CMS Nursing CE program since its July launch and says she appreciates having access to the new courses.

"I am very grateful that we now have a CE program because it saves our staff from having to take time off to take courses elsewhere and worrying about the fees," said Gray-Hardy. "Our nurses are excited to have this as a new employee benefit and be able to enhance their nursing skills on-site as needed."

Schoenly says the company plans to keep adding to its nursing continuing education offerings, introducing courses tailored to the needs of its nurses and clinical program initiatives as appropriate.