This course provides Nevada nurses with the one-time 4 Contact Hour bioterrorism education required for active RN and LPN license renewal. Learners examine terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, personal protective equipment, chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear exposures, syndromic surveillance, reporting procedures, and use of the Health Alert Network to support safe, role-appropriate nursing responses.
Developed by: Scott Strachan RN, BSN
Target Audience
Nevada registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who must complete the one-time 4 Contact Hour bioterrorism requirement, including advanced practice registered nurses and certified registered nurse anesthetists completing the requirement through their nursing license renewal. Nevada certified nursing assistants may complete the course as optional training.
Teaching Method
Self-directed learning completed independently, with scenario-based reflection.
Overview
Nevada requires active registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to complete a one-time 4 Contact Hour course relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism involving a weapon of mass destruction. The course may be counted within the applicable continuing education total for RN, LPN, APRN, and CRNA renewal. Nurses should retain the bioterrorism completion certificate indefinitely in case of a Nevada State Board of Nursing audit. (Nevada State Board of Nursing, 2026).
This course addresses all five components identified by Nevada: an overview of acts of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction; personal protective equipment required during terrorism incidents; common symptoms and methods of treatment associated with exposure to or injuries caused by chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear agents; syndromic surveillance and reporting procedures for incidents involving biological agents; and an overview of the information available through and use of the Health Alert Network.
Course content emphasizes recognition of unusual exposure patterns, protection of patients and personnel, contamination control, use and limitations of personal protective equipment, communication with emergency and public health authorities, and role-appropriate nursing actions. Learners will consider how symptoms, exposure routes, timing, environmental findings, and multiple-patient presentations may support early recognition without requiring the nurse to independently diagnose a specific agent.
Practical application includes immediate safety assessment, use of established emergency procedures, isolation or decontamination support when directed, syndromic surveillance, timely reporting, documentation, patient communication, and collaboration with emergency response and public health systems. Nurses must follow current organizational policies, incident command procedures, public health instructions, and scope-of-practice requirements. After an emergency, staff should report unresolved risks and changes in the patient’s condition.
The Nevada State Board of Nursing does not approve individual continuing education courses. A course must be provided through an accepted continuing education provider and contain all Nevada-required subject matter. Completion of this course should not be represented as individual Nevada State Board of Nursing approval.
Learner Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
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.
We will send you a one-time access code.