Will extra certifications make me more marketable?

[JenniferSews]

I'm graduating in Dec and the job market here is bad. I am planning to start a BSN program right away since many are looking for BSN grads if they are hiring new grads at all and I thought maybe it would help to show I am enrolled. But no way can I wait another 2 yrs to work! I don't really have a speciatly in mind, I'd like ICU or ER but that won't happen since I have no experience. I was thinking of getting my ACLS and maybe take an IV cert class as well. Would that help me look better to employers?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I think anything that sets you apart from the typical "new grad" is probably helpful! You will seem driven to succeed and excel, and that's a good thing in a potential employer's mind. Good luck!

[NewAggieGrad09]

I agree. I'm very poor, however, so I have to either borrow the money or dip into my savings bonds to pay for an ACLS class. I do want to try an IV class because I NEVER got a chance to insert an IV in a real patient in school, because the hospitals I did clinicals had rules against it. The best I could do was follow the IV team and watch them, but I learn by doing, not by seeing.

[medicrn16]

This is just an interesting opposing view about qualifications...I am a medic for several years. Did an advanced one-year RN program, had an interview Monday and got a call yesterday that I was over-qualified for this floor! They want me in critical care, but that job does not open until December. I need a job yesterday. Have another interview today on a more critical floor at another hospital. Funny right? Underqualified, overqualified...ugh. Without any experience in pt care at all, I think the certs will do you good, for sure. Good luck to you and me! :)

[JenniferSews]

Thanks medicrn16, that was my other concern. Not that I will be overqualified really, I have almost no experience in the medical field, but that it would look to employers like I don't intend to stay on a med surg floor because I want to work somewhere where that certification would be needed.

[llg, PhD, RN]

If those certifications, etc. ar appropriate for someone at your level of expertise and compatible with the jobs you seek (and I think an IV class would be in the appropriate category) ... then I think they could help a little. However, piling on a lot of classes that don't directly support your beginner-level practice skills would probably not be worth it.