Annual CEU Allowance & Paid Professional Development Resources

‍The information provided on this page is intended for individuals currently on assignment. Employment policies, procedures, and benefits may change over time so this resource is not recommended for candidates who have not yet arrived in the United States.

‍*Please note: The Annual CEU Allowance benefit does not apply to candidates currently working in the US with a TN visa.

Professional Development at Health Carousel: Three Ways We Invest in You

At Health Carousel International, your growth as a healthcare professional isn’t just encouraged — it’s funded, rewarded, and supported in multiple ways.

To help you get the most out of what’s available, here’s a simple breakdown of the three professional development opportunities you have — and how they work best together.

Free Continuing Education Through HealthStream (Your First Stop)

All Health Carousel nurses receive free access to HealthStream, our online learning platform with a vast library of continuing education courses.

What HealthStream is best for:

• CEUs needed to maintain licensure
• Mandatory compliance training
• Patient safety and clinical skill refreshers
• Specialty-specific education

Why start here?
HealthStream allows you to meet many CEU requirements at no cost, which means you can save your reimbursement dollars for other professional development opportunities.

👉 Tip: If you can earn CEUs through HealthStream, do it — it helps you stretch your other benefits further.

The Clinical Ladder Program: Earn Rewards for Your Growth

*Please note: This program is only available for nurses.

The Clinical Ladder Program is designed to recognize, reward, and reimburse nurses for going above and beyond in their professional development.

When you participate in the Clinical Ladder, you can earn perks and reimbursements for activities such as:

• Nursing association memberships
• Certification preparation and testing
• Conference registration and travel
• Professional achievements and milestones

✨ Important:
Many of these rewards — including free nursing association memberships — do not come out of your CEU allowance.

That means nurses in the Clinical Ladder Program can cover big-ticket professional development items without dipping into their CEU funds.

👉 Bottom line:
Using the Clinical Ladder strategically allows you to maximize your CEU allowance for other needs.

Learn more about the Clinical Ladder Program here.

Your Annual CEU Allowance: Flexible Support for What’s Left

After you’ve taken advantage of HealthStream and the Clinical Ladder, your CEU Allowance is there to cover additional professional development and work-related expenses.

How the CEU Allowance Works

• Annual allowance: $400 (2025)
• Renews each calendar year
• Does not roll over — use it before year-end

Think of your CEU allowance as a flexible professional development fund that fills in the gaps.

What Can the CEU Allowance Be Used For?

Your CEU allowance can be used for a variety of healthcare-related and professional development expenses, including:

Fully Covered (up to your available balance)

• Healthcare-related CEU courses
  (Certificate of completion required)
• Work-related required medicals
  (Submit results + proof of purchase; must meet compliance deadlines)
• Driving lessons or driving school completion
  (Completion letter required)
• Nursing or state healthcare professional association memberships
  (Proof of engagement required — CEUs, webinar attendance, or an email confirmation.)
• Home state licensure renewal
  (Renewal receipt required)
• Professional or clinical-related books and educational materials

Covered up to $200

• Scrubs
  (itemized receipt required)
• Professional-related equipment
  (itemized receipt required)

💡 Pro tip: If you’re in the Clinical Ladder Program and receive a free association membership, you can save your CEU allowance for items like licensure renewal, books, equipment, or additional CEUs.

How to Use Your CEU Allowance

1. Purchase the qualifying item or complete the course upfront
2. Save itemized receipts and completion certificates (your name must be included)
3. Submit your expense report within 90 days of completion
4. Once approved, reimbursement is paid within 3 pay periods
5. CEU banks close on December 31 each year

Reimbursement Request Form

Click here to submit a CEU reimbursement request

The Big Picture: How to Maximize Your Benefits

If you remember one thing, let it be this:

• Start with HealthStream for free CEUs
• Use the Clinical Ladder to earn and be reimbursed for major professional milestones
• Save your CEU allowance for everything else

This layered approach helps you get the most value, the most flexibility, and the most support for your professional growth.