Illinois Sexual Harassment Prevention for RN/LPN

Target Audience

Illinois registered nurses and licensed practical nurses working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, home health, community settings, and other health care environments.

Teaching Method

Self-directed learning completed independently, with scenario-based reflection.

Overview

Illinois requires individual professional license holders to complete a one-hour sexual harassment prevention course during each renewal cycle. The training may be included within the continuing education total required for the profession. Illinois RN and LPN licensees are also responsible for maintaining documentation of completed continuing education and producing records when requested by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

This course focuses on recognizing sexual harassment under Illinois standards, differentiating inappropriate conduct from professional workplace interactions, and responding to concerns without engaging in retaliation. Content will address verbal, visual, physical, written, electronic, and technology-assisted conduct that may affect employees, applicants, patients, visitors, contractors, or other workplace participants.

Nursing personnel may observe or receive reports of inappropriate behavior while working in settings that involve close physical contact, personal care, private communication, unequal authority, and vulnerable individuals. The course connects Illinois requirements to practical nursing responsibilities, including maintaining professional boundaries, following employer policies, reporting concerns through appropriate channels, protecting privacy, documenting objective information, and responding to immediate patient or staff safety concerns within the nurse’s role.

Completion of this course does not replace employer-specific training, policies, reporting procedures, collective bargaining provisions, legal advice, or instructions from regulatory authorities.

Learner Objectives

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

• Identify conduct that may constitute sexual harassment under Illinois law, including unwelcome verbal, visual, physical, written, and electronic behavior.
• Describe the responsibilities of Illinois RN and LPN personnel when preventing, reporting, documenting, or responding to sexual harassment and retaliation concerns.
• Apply role-appropriate reporting, communication, confidentiality, documentation, and safety practices to an Illinois nursing workplace scenario involving possible sexual harassment.

Disclosure

The planner(s) and author(s) of this educational activity have disclosed that there are no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests related to the content of this course. This course is developed for educational purposes and does not receive commercial support.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this course is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the content is not guaranteed to be free from errors or omissions. Participants are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional for specific advice related to their circumstances. The creators and presenters of this course disclaim any liability for decisions made based on the information provided.