TNCC as a student nurse?

[jglover4168]

I'm halfway through my 2nd year for the RN program. I took the ACLS last week over xmas break and did very well. Several of the nurses taking the recert portion suggested the TNCC.

I just looked and it's offered at my local hospital over spring break. Has anyone taken this course as a student? Any thoughts on difficulty compared to the ACLS?

Also as an LPN can I get the TNCC credentials if I pass the course or will it be just for continuing education credits? Money is not an issue FYI.

Thanks for any info and advice!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

agree with Dranger. We do not hire people new grads based on certs as they have no experience and the cards are meaningless in most cases.

[Dranger]

I've heard from several CC hiring managers that it shows initiative and makes you stand out from the bunch. ACLS is pretty much mandatory if you want to apply for ED or ICU where I live. The ED I will be working at is going to put me through BART and TNCC as part of the orientation, but without ACLS and PALS my resume wouldn't have made it past the first pile.

Yeah of course it's mandatory, but any decent hospital has cert and recert classes all of the time because existing employees are due. Sorry its not like ACLS, EKG-12 or PALS shows anything, I have all of them and getting them on my own dime would have been a complete waste of money. Interviewing well, prepping an awesome resume and networking gets you a job not certs that every RN in ED/ICU has.

To me, the certs are not meaningless... they just mean something different for the new-grad than they do for the experienced nurse.

For the new grad they mean that the holder:

1) Took the initiative to learn what certifications there are and how to attain them

2) Has the self-confidence to walk into a room of experienced professionals and take a class with them

3) Is willing to invest their own time and their own money in their professional growth

4) Has been exposed to the material, even if they don't have the experience to integrate it into practice

Don't disregard #2... I took NRP as a nursing student and most of the other attendees were 1st year residents... I took ACLS as a student and most of the participants were experienced ER nurses from that hospital... I took TNCC with a bunch of nurses from a level 1 trauma center while I came from a tiny rural hospital with almost no trauma experience...

It took a lot of moxy to walk into those rooms with my head held high and step up to run the megacodes even though I'd never seen a real code.

If I'm sorting through resumes looking for people that I'd interview to join my team of hard-chargers in the level 1 ED, that's something that will get noticed by me.

I say... Go for it... take as many classes as you can afford... but do realize that some nurses will be looking down their noses at you.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Whats up with all these posts about students wanting to get ALCS, PALS and now TNCC. Chill...most of the info won't be relevant since you have 0 experience and I've had hiring managers tell me its just a waste of time. All my certs were paid by my hospital...

I think people are frantic about getting a job after graduating, so they think having these courses (only one is actually a certification) will make them more attractive to the people doing the hiring.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

To me, the certs are not meaningless... they just mean something different for the new-grad than they do for the experienced nurse.

For the new grad they mean that the holder:

1) Took the initiative to learn what certifications there are and how to attain them

2) Has the self-confidence to walk into a room of experienced professionals and take a class with them

3) Is willing to invest their own time and their own money in their professional growth

4) Has been exposed to the material, even if they don't have the experience to integrate it into practice

Don't disregard #2... I took NRP as a nursing student and most of the other attendees were 1st year residents... I took ACLS as a student and most of the participants were experienced ER nurses from that hospital... I took TNCC with a bunch of nurses from a level 1 trauma center while I came from a tiny rural hospital with almost no trauma experience...

It took a lot of moxy to walk into those rooms with my head held high and step up to run the megacodes even though I'd never seen a real code.

If I'm sorting through resumes looking for people that I'd interview to join my team of hard-chargers in the level 1 ED, that's something that will get noticed by me.

I say... Go for it... take as many classes as you can afford... but do realize that some nurses will be looking down their noses at you.

But she can't take TNCC without being a nurse if she wants it to "count".

[_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Many of the online ED applications either mention "TNCC preferred" or include an actual check box for it on the application. To me, this means they are giving points for it. So, I don't really understand Dranger's comments. As a new grad, without the certifications what exactly is it that makes one resume any different than all the others? Everyone has a degree and a license, everyone did essentially the same clinicals, most people did a few weeks interning or externing, and most have volunteered and/or worked a bit in some entry level patient care position. I do agree that networking is more important than certifications, but we all do everything we can to stand out.

I'm still trying to figure out these point systems, but it seems to go something like this in terms of priority or points assigned: internal applicants, friends and family of internal employees, years of experience working in healthcare, internship/externship, recommendations, and certifications / possibly degree type. All of this is before an interview is ever offered. Do you guys agree?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

like a previous poster said, you have to be an RN to get credit for the course. Some trainers will let you audit, for a fee, but I believe your time and money would be better spent studying. Right now your goal is to get your license.

[_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I took it recently. The skill station was about 35 mins of memorized dialog and a tiny bit of prop acting. The written tests (took a repeat) were very detailed. The course jams through the material and most just sleep after class. So you need to pre-read all the details (350 pgs) plus memorize the scenario at the back of the book. All this is easier if you know trauma. Tough if you are newer.

[Thenurseofmordor]

I'm going to comment on TNCC since I cannot find the answer I was looking for.

I took the 7th edition class over the last two days and am now certified.

I am a new grad with no official RN experience yet. I have taken and passed ACLS and PALS.

I found the TNCC class to be no more challenging than PALS or ACLS. I did read the book cover to cover 2 days before the class. I did no further preparation, Besides stay awake through the course.

I made 90% on the written and missed only one point on the practical test.

I am a very good test taker and I do advise reading the book, but I feel that I could have passed without preparation. I would compare the written test with a advanced Med-surge test in school.... Just another test prioritizing pt scenarios and etiologies.

The practical was very easy once I memorized the ABCDEFGlmnopHI pneumonic.

So there is my comment on TNCC for those thinking about the class.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

From what I've seen, TNCC, PHTLS, and BTLS/ITLS courses are all pretty similar, just modified a bit for the environment you'll be in. I've taken 2 of the 3 and found them exceptionally easy. Then again, most of my education prior to getting into nursing or EMS was dealing with injuries... as an athletic trainer.

That education certainly biases my opinion about these courses.

I've taken just about every class there is except the prehospital ones and I've not found any of them to be particularly challenging, including ACLS, PALS, and NRP which I took as a nursing student.