Your state's "preferred" ED credentials?

Specialties Emergency

Published

I'd like to hear from as many ED nurses as possible, from a variety of areas...

What credentials does your state and/or facility prefer in their ED nurses? CEN, TNCC, PALS, ENPC, etc? Do any states outside of Illinois recognize TNS (I realize it is offered by the IDPH and so it's specifically for IL RNs, but it's pretty thorough and complex...)?

Thanks so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

Our ED requires: BCLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC. Prefers the addition of NRP, ENPC,and CEN.

BCLS, ACLS and PALS should be mandatory in ANY emergency department that serves the general population. Some ER's have seperate adult and peds treatment areas so those may have different requirements (for example, no PALS in adult areas or PALS and NRP in pediatric areas). Also, most trauma centers will likely have TNCC as a requirement.

CEN is a plus for you as an RN in ANY emergency department. Even if your hospital does not officially "recognize" the credential, the knowledge you gain from studying for and obtaining your CEN will be beneficial to you, your department, and especially your patients.

Also: I don't know if there are STATE regulations for credentialling in the ER's. I think it is hospital specific depending on what they want to pay for and the population/level of care that they provide. Some hospitals may have minimal requirements because they have to pay for the course and your time to take the "required" classes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rural Health.

My full time job requires BLS, ACLS and PALS. You are paid more (up to $1.50/hr) for TNCC, ENPC and NRP. However, you must pay for those classes out of your own pocket because they are not required.

Lukcy for me my PRN job requires BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, ENPC and they've been great about making sure I've had all the classes I've needed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Its a hospital requirement, not state ones.

We have to have BLS, ACLS, TNCC, and ENPC or PALS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

We must have BLS, ACLS, PALS, ENPC and TNCC. Someone at work the other night used the term "Level 1 trauma center", funny thing is we have no surgeons on duty, just on call. We aren't labeled Lvl 1 but we take anything and everything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

We hire new grads with BLS only. You better at least get ACLS soon after being hired. PALS would be nice but not required. CEN will get you a one or two dollar per hour raise as will CEN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care: Cardiac, VAD, Transplant.

I would love to work in the ER after graduation (2 more semesters to go)! I know what PALS & ACLS are, but what do the rest stand for? I want to take ACLS over the summer, but the hospitals in the area will only train employees at this time:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment