[NiteRocker]

Any interst? Not much in my unit. I've been plannig since I started the unit, but why are most RN's not interested? If you pass the hospital pays?

Come on guys!

[TiffyRN]

We usually have 3-4 nurses a year try for this. The hospital will reimburse the cost of the test if you pass and then you can apply for the clinical ladder and get some cash in hand. I will probably try for it next year.

[BittyBabyGrower]

A lot of places DON'T pay for the test, even if you pass. We just started this where I work as we are now a Magnet hospital. Doesn't get me anymore money, just my name on a plaque on the wall. I've had mine since 1992 and I did it just for myself.

[TiffyRN]

I wanted to get the certification test when I worked adult telemetry, just never got around to it. I didn't think I had enough knowledge for the NICU test until I helped one of my co-workers study for the test (she passed). I then really wanted to go for the test just for my own personal fulfillment. Then I found out there was the reimbursement and bonus (I guess one benefit I've found to being a magnet hospital).

[EricEnfermero]

In my experience, some nurses start out eager, but by the time they've fulfilled the minimum work experience, they often lose a little of that drive.

[RainDreamer]

What exactly is this certification? Is it like the CCRN?

[EricEnfermero]

There's a neonatal CCRN certification, but at my hospital, the more common one is the RNC, sponsored by the NCC. NICU is just one of the types of RNC certification that can be earned.

RNC site:
http://www.nccnet.org/public/pages/index.cfm?pageid=111

CCRN site:
http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/cer...l%20CCRN%20C_0

[RainDreamer]

Dang that could get confusing. Ok, I've seen "RNC" after names at work, I wondered what that was.

Thanks for the links.

[EricEnfermero]

There's a sea of alphabet soup out there, isn't there?

[prmenrs]

I think getting the certification (and keeping it current--that's the hard part!) is a very good, professional thing to do. Even if this hospital doesn't compensate you (it should, imo), you may work elsewhere, and what a cool thing to augment your "sale-ability" to a prospective employer.

Obviously, there's a lot more to it than $$. Seems like it's a pride kind of thing: I care enough about my specialty to stay current, and here's the evidence.