How do I begin to get certifications?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hello Nurse Beth,

I'm not ready to start on my bachelor's yet but I still feel like I should be doing other things to continue my education, like extra certifications. However, I have no idea where to begin. can you please point me in the right direction?

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Dear Continuing Education,

Good for you, in wanting to keep learning!

Certifications are an excellent way to validate your expertise. You are eligible to take a certification exam in your specialty once you have worked approximately two years in your area. What you want to do is go to the American Nurses Credentialing Center where you will find all the requirements.

Other certifications include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Usually your hospital will provide these if they are required for the job.

Good luck to you,

Nurse Beth

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Don't forget to check with specialty organizations as well. The ANCC doesn't cover all specialties for certifications. My certification for the OR is through CCI, which certifies OR RNs and RNFAs.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

Certification for Post Anesthesia Care (CPAN) and Ambulatory Surgery (CAPA) comes from the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. Eligibility starts with 1800 hours of direct clinical experience.

[tish44]

I think the BSN is mandatory in this day and age. But certifications give you the in depth clinical knowledge you will need. The first thing you need to do is decide which certification you want to pursue. Where do you work now? Do you plan to stay in that field? Do you have a passion for it? If so then look at which board certifies that specialty...gather all the educational material you'll use for the next 6 mos, learn it then sit for the test. I think it takes a good six months to prepare. And the biggest tip of all I can give you is to understand the material, don't memorize it. So take your time but don't wait longer than one year from the time you start studying. Good luck!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I have three certifications from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN): Home – BCEN

I would definitely start with the American Heart Association's BLS, ACLS, and PALS. Those are very functional certifications! Then look to your specialty to see what is available. I would also not wait too long to start your BSN — the longer you're out, the more difficult it is to go back to school again! Good luck.