The Benefits of CEUs to Your Career and Bankroll
Mo CEUs, mo problems are words that no healthcare professional has ever mouthed.
CEUs actually open doors for you.
They are crucial to career advancement. CEU’s are requirements for many licenses in healthcare. Bottom line is CEU’s are actually very important and you try to .
In this article we will talk about what a CEU is, the benefits of CEUs and where you can find them.
Before getting into all that, lets first discuss what a CEU is.
What is a CEU?
CEU stands for Continuing Education Unit. A CEU is essentially a unit of measurement to maintain certain licenses in a specific professions.
Think of a CEUs like college credits. I graduated YEARS ago, although if I remember correctly I needed 128 college credits to walk the stage.
With certain professional licenses you need to complete a specific number of CEUs to maintain that license. Typically you have a set amount of time to complete your CEU hours to keep your certification. For example.
I have a Community Health Worker Certification and this requires 20 hours of CEUs every two years.
Why Are CEUs Important?
It’s difficult staying afloat in today’s sea of change.
New technologies and ideas are being introduced to you everyday. In the same token old ideas are quickly becoming outdated. This is why CEUs are important.
CEUs allow you to stay up to date with the latest research in your profession.
The average book takes 6 months to write, while a CEU lecture on a new topic such as Zika Virus can be developed in a few days.
CEUs Are Less Formal Than College Classes
CEUs can exist in a number of different forms.
Below are some of the different ways that CEUs are offered:
- Live Conferences
- Phone Confrences
- Seminars
- Webinars
- Workshops
- Meetings
The topics discussed in CEU classes are typically very focused.
For instance, the last CEU hours I earned involved sitting in a classroom and learning about Service Dogs, which was lots of fun!
Here’s a picture of Colt the Service Dog keeping me company in the classroom.
Now that you are familiar with what a CEU is we will discuss the benefits of CEUs to yourself and your career.
The Benefits of CEUs to Your Career and Bankroll
How CEUs Benefit You
You spend your days selflessly helping others but today I’m starting with you.
CEUs are important because they help you maintain your current skills as well as expand your knowledge base.
CEUs Allow You To See Trends
Continuing Education Courses will help you to see emerging trends in your field. The trainings that you attend will give you the ability to proactively come up with solutions to problems in your organization. Your ability to “see around corners” and anticipate change in your industry will make you a valuable member within your office.
Recognizing trends in society is one of the benefits of CEUs. Networking is another and we’ll discuss it next.
CEUs Are Great Ways To Network
Birds of a feather flock to networking events. Its at these events where you will find some of your best industry contacts.
I had been struggling to find home health provider services for my client when I met a guy who worked for Texas Health and Human Services. The conversation started with a comment about sports and then turned into a discussion about our jobs. Long story short this guy provided me with contact information to a Program Manager who could help me bypass the 25-minute hold on a 211 line. I was thankful!
People who are seeking industry knowledge attend CEU events. They go to these events to learn from people like you, so this is why you should attend as many networking events as you can.
CEUs Look Good On The Resume
Employers want knowledgable, motivated workers and this is what a resume full of CEUs says about you.
There are resume benefits of CEUs. For instance, if you ever leave your position or your budget is cut and you need to find another job, CEUs will help you to get noticed.
Designate an entire section on your resume to CEUs, workshops, etc and you’ll peek the interest of potential employers.
CEUs Prepare You For Leadership Roles
There is nothing better than attending a CEU training on a Friday.
It gives you a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the show while someone els does the heavy lifting.
As comforting as it is to watch, have you considered leading a seminar yourself?
Speaking or even organizing a workshop is a good stepping stone to a leadership position. No matter your title if you lecture at an event you will get what some people call the “Podium Effect”. Speaking from behind a podium gives people the impression that everything you’re saying is correct.
It’s this kind of perception leads to management positions and higher salaries, which are both really good reasons to attend more CEU events.
How CEUs Benefit Your Company
Attending trainings also impacts your employer, here are a few benefits of CEUs to your boss.
You Can Teach Others
A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. Who said this, I have no idea, but it’s the truth.
It’s easy to get caught up in our own daily activities, but we should also take time to help others.
If you work for a non-profit you’re likely working on a government grant. A grant that requires your organization to produce numbers.
LOTS AND LOTS OF NUMBERS.
If there are co-workers in your organization who are underperforming sure, it could only effect them, but what if everyone’s position was cut because “the numbers weren’t met”.
When you attend events and learn its your obligation to bring that information back to your team.
If someone is struggling, you have an ethical duty to help them. Especially if you have information they can benefit from.
It Makes Your Supervisor Look Good
Supervisors steal ideas (you know you do), but honestly it doesn’t bother me.
My logic is keep your supervisor shining and you’ll experience a trickle down effect.
Maybe the trickle down effect is your supervisor being promoted and grooming you to take their place?
Maybe you receive a bonus at the end of the year?
Or maybe your supervisor simply becomes a little less micro-managy, because you helped them out.
You may never receive any favor, but I still think its still good practice to help your supervisor. You should want to build good habits.
Regardless of your relationship with your supervisor, everyday you should be trying to make their job easier.
You may not notice it now but later in your career you will cash in on all the good deeds you’ve performed.
How CEUs Benefit Your Bankroll
Quite simply, CEUs help you to increase your salary.
If you are in a position you’re tired of, but don’t have time to attend a university, then CEUs are a good option.
As we discussed earlier a CEU class is less formal and expensive then a college class. Because of this reason, its a good recommendation if you want to boost you’re resume on the cheap.
In study, after study, after study there is overwhelming proof that the more education you have the higher your salary. Not to mention, you have more options and don’t have to stay tethered to one job.
Just because I’m telling you education is important doesn’t mean you need to run out and get a 4-year degree. Continuing education options like CEU’s, certifications or Associate’s Degrees can be all you need.
Where Can I Find CEUs?
CEU options are everywhere.
The list below will give you an idea of places to search for CEUs:
- Carolina Geriatric Education Center
- Texas A&M Center for Community Health Developments
- TIRR Memorial Herman CEUs
- Gateway To Care
- Texas Health and Human Services CEUs
- FEMA CEUs
- NetCE
- Texas Health Steps CEUs
- Smart Resource for online CEUs
- University of Houston CEUs
- Even more FEMA CEUs
Conclusion
We say all that to say this:
CEUs are important. There are a number of benefits of CEUs.
One benefit is the more you learn, the more you earn.
Money is definitely important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor.
Learning more about your industry helps everyone around you from co-workers, clients, even family and friends.
Gaining a better understand of your industry will closely connect you to your work. This in turn will help you to avoid burnout, which so many suffer in this industry.
Where do you go to find CEU’s? Tell us about your sources in the comments below.
Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.
