Course Abstract:

Nevada law requires that several types of healthcare professionals, including nurses, take four hours of continuing education "relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism that involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction." This requirement has been incorporated into the Nevada Nurse Practice Act (NRS 632.343 (3).

Beginning January 1, 2005, all nurses renewing their licenses must have completed this four-hour bioterrorism course as part of their CE renewal requirement. On that date, the Board's random CE audits began to include auditing for proof that renewing nurses have completed the bioterrorism course.

This course exceeds the Nevada requirement. The Nevada State Board of Nursing accepts continuing nursing education that is approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Course Description:

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Describe categories of weapons of mass destruction.
• Identify symptoms of select biological, chemical and radiological threats.
• Discuss treatment of select biological, chemical and radiological threats.
• Describe personal protective equipment (PPE) for biological, chemical and radiological threats.
• Discuss syndromic surveillance and reporting procedures for acts of terrorism involving biological agents.
• Identify how to use the Health Alert Network.