Nursing Certs for New Grads

Nurses New Nurse

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I'm having a super hard time finding a job as a new grad. Someone suggested to look into getting extra certifications to help me. What are some suggestions for certifications for a new grad?

You only qualify for ACLS and/or PALS; the certifications that will aide in finding better jobs require experience in the field in which you are seeking to become certfied. As an example, to sit for the certification exam for gastroenterology nurses, one must have worked in the field for two years.....med/surg, if I recall correctly, was three years full-time before being eligible to take the exam. Might have changed in detail, but you get the idea.

Certifications are used to recognize those with expertise in their fields....not for the brand-new grad.

Do you have ACLS?

You can also do the NIH Stroke Scale certification online and its free!:)

Oh wow awesome! I love free haha. Thanks so much!!

I took ACLS my last semester of nursing school and that helped greatly in both of my job positions. I learned a TON and feel much more comfortable in telemetry! Its definitely worth the money!

Definitely going to check into that. I would love to work telemetry so that's perfect. Even better that I don't need experience. Thinking of doing an ECG class too.

You can definitely do an EKG class!! It's worth it if you're planning on working for a Monitor unit.

Definitely going to check into that. I would love to work telemetry so that's perfect. Even better that I don't need experience. Thinking of doing an ECG class too.

A good, complete ACLS course will cover reading strips, rhythms (after all, need to know what med goes with what rhythm!). I believe that's a good bet for you.

Specializes in L&D, Postpartum.

NRP and S.T.A.B.L.E certification, and AWHONN has fetal monitoring course you can take. These are more for L&D or NICU though so depends where your interest/ Job Search is focused.

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