Common use of Continuing Education Program Clause in Contracts

Continuing Education Program. Professional development is a shared responsibility. The Medical Center agrees to maintain a continuing education program for all nurses. Each nurse is encouraged to present suggestions for improving the program to his/her supervisor. Nurses are expected to attend inservice educational functions during their normal shifts, with the prior approval of the Medical Center. When it is not possible for a nurse to attend a voluntary inservice educational function during his or her normal shift, the nurse may choose to attend and be compensated for that function held at an alternative time outside of his or her normal shift, provided that the nurse’s attendance does not otherwise cause the nurse to receive a premium or overtime rate of pay. In the event a nurse is required by the Medical Center to attend inservice educational functions or unit staff meetings outside of his/her normal shift, time spent at such functions will be considered as time worked under this Agreement. A minimum of two (2) hours’ pay at the nurse’s Appendix A wage rate shall be paid for attendance under the preceding sentence, if the time spent at such functions is not continuous with the nurse’s normal shift. If a nurse must change her/his work schedule in order to attend such required inservice educational functions, the nurse may (1) either use PTO or take leave without pay to cover all shifts the nurse would have worked if the nurse had been able to maintain her/his work schedule, or (2) arrange with the nurse manager to work a mutually agreeable alternate day within the same work week. Regular nursing unit meetings shall be scheduled by the Medical Center if a majority of the nurses in any unit vote in favor of this type of professional collaborative forum. The Medical Center shall have the discretion to determine whether a nursing unit meeting is required or voluntary.