2-Hour HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne Pathogens: Comprehensive Training for Healthcare and Caregiving Professionals

Target Audience

This course is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and other healthcare professionals seeking education on HIV/AIDS, bloodborne-pathogen safety, infection prevention, occupational exposure, confidentiality, and patient-centered care.

For Florida nurses, this course is designed to satisfy the one-time HIV/AIDS continuing education requirement that must be completed no later than the first license renewal. The course provides two contact hours of instruction, exceeding the Florida Board of Nursing’s currently listed one-contact-hour minimum.

The course also includes nationally applicable clinical and infection-control information. Learners practicing outside Florida should confirm acceptance with their state licensing board, certification authority, employer, facility, or other applicable regulatory entity.

Contact Hours

2 Contact Hours

Teaching Method

Self-directed independent study incorporating written instruction, clinical scenarios, self-reflection activities, and a post-course assessment.

Course Description

This two-contact-hour course provides a comprehensive review of HIV transmission, disease progression, prevention, treatment, confidentiality, stigma reduction, occupational exposure, and patient-centered care. It integrates HIV/AIDS education with bloodborne-pathogen safety, Standard Precautions, personal protective equipment, sharps safety, post-exposure management, documentation, and infection-control practices applicable across healthcare and caregiving settings.

For Florida nurses, this course is designed to satisfy the one-time HIV/AIDS continuing education requirement established under Florida Statute §456.033 and required no later than the first license renewal. The course provides two contact hours of education and therefore exceeds the Florida Board of Nursing’s currently listed one-contact-hour minimum. Florida-specific legal, regulatory, and public-health considerations are addressed in a dedicated section.

The course also contains nationally applicable information for healthcare professionals practicing in other states. Licensing, certification, employment, testing, reporting, consent, confidentiality, and workplace-training requirements may vary by jurisdiction, profession, employer, program, and care setting. Learners should verify acceptance and any additional requirements with the appropriate authority.

Learner Objectives

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

1. Describe HIV transmission, disease progression, treatment, and prevention strategies relevant to healthcare practice.
2. Apply Standard Precautions and bloodborne-pathogen safety measures to reduce occupational exposure risk.
3. Identify legal, ethical, confidentiality, documentation, and post-exposure responsibilities related to HIV/AIDS care, including the need to follow applicable state and workplace requirements.

Disclosure

The planners and authors of this educational activity have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests related to the content of this course. This educational activity was developed without commercial support.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this course is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Laws, regulations, licensing requirements, public-health guidance, and workplace policies may vary by jurisdiction and may change over time.

Learners are responsible for confirming the requirements applicable to their profession, license, certification, employer, facility, program, and practice location. They should consult the appropriate licensing board, regulatory authority, employer, facility, or qualified professional when guidance is needed for a specific situation.

Although reasonable efforts have been made to provide accurate and current information, the course provider does not guarantee that the material is free from errors or omissions and assumes no liability for decisions made solely in reliance on this educational content.