Critical Care Certificate...worth it??

[lovelyb1368]

hi all,

i graduated from rn school with an adn 2 years ago and have been working as a psych nurse at a state hospital in california. i have found this job to be quite dangerous, unsatifying and not befitting of the skills that i learned in nursing school. i am now looking to transition into a more traditional nursing role in a regular hospital setting and am having a difficult time finding a job. to boost my resume i have taken an ekg/pharmacology class and acls.

so, my question is: i am now considering a 9 day critical care class that states it will, "help the registered nurse develop the specialized skills and knowledge to become critical care nurse and be prepared to recognize and support the unique characteristics of the critical care patient population." this is not a ccrn course however i will obtain a certificate upon completion. having been away from an acute care setting, since nursing school, i am looking for ways to make immediate contributions in an acute care setting and perhaps show perspective employers that i am highly motivated to make this transition.

does anyone think this would be beneficial?? any feedback would be greatly appreciated!! :)

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I'm not certain of that. Being new to critical care most hospitals would put you through their own critical care course regardless. The class may present some new ideas foreign to you, but I don't think it would necessarily give you an advantage in obtaining a critical care job.

The EKG class and ACLS would be beneficial though.

And you have to work in Critical Care and have so many hours logged in order to take the CCRN