Extra certifications for new grads?

Nurses Job Hunt

Published

Has anyone tried working on some extra certifications to enhance the job-search process? I have been researching a bit and am figuring out that new grads aren't eligible for any of the actual certifications (diabetes, wound care, psych, cardiac, peds, etc.) which require 2 years of experience first, but there are some smaller things such as ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Life Support), EKG training, IV training, phlebotomy, etc. which I might be able to pursue, especially if I end up having a few months of downtime job-searching. My goal is to work in a small rural critical access hospital in my hometown - really on any unit that will take a new grad, from ED to L&D to outpatient infusions and wound care. They have been reluctant to hire new grads, but I notice they have had a few openings without the "1 year experience required" listed lately.

Anyone have suggestions as to what kind of extra certs are possible and how valuable they would or would not be? I'm not anxious to spend extra money on something that isn't useful, but at the same time would be glad to use my time productively and put in some extra work to better prepare myself for that first nursing job.

0 Votes

I would love to look into IV training...............

0 Votes
Specializes in Wound Care.

I have BLS, ACLS, PALS, Vent, Trach, EKG, IV/Blood Withdrawal and phlebotomy...I have seen an increase in interviews so I'll see how it plays out. I really want to do a wound care class. I found one that was just a class not a cert so I might take it anyway just for fun. I really love wound care so it's worth it to me.

0 Votes

iv therapy/blood withdrawal and trach/vent cert...i think those might be the most helpful.

0 Votes

@ pnkgirl25; What's the cost implication of these courses and can you possibly suggest a recognized training resource please?!

0 Votes
Specializes in Wound Care.
@ pnkgirl25; What's the cost implication of these courses and can you possibly suggest a recognized training resource please?!

The BLS and IV cert was included with my tuition so I didn't have to pay additional. The vent and trach class were $40 each. The phlebotomy cert I actually did at a community college before I even when to nursing school and was covered by a feewaver so it cost me nothing. The ACLS, PALS and EKG class I found a place online that offered all three for $270 knocked them all out in 4 days I think. Are you in California? I can PM you the link to where I got the ACLS, PALS and EKG cert.

0 Votes

Thanks for the info.. I'm in NYC!

0 Votes
Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry/ICU Stepdown.

If you are applying for an entry level nursing job and the interviewer complains you have no certifications then you may as well be direct and ask them what the real issue is--probably lack of experience. The lack of certifications sounds like a ******** excuse to screen you out, but they don't want to tell you the real reason. It is not normal to expect certifications from new nurses.

Don't get certifications hoping to get a job. You would be a like a pilot prospect who has never flown before, but wants to get started by getting advanced aviation certifications (multi-engine, zero visibility flying, etc.). Many pilots will in fact wash out before their first solo, before they get to the certifications part and so will many nurses. You really need to prove you can do the basics before getting certified.

You have to have at least a year of experience in your area of practice before the knowledge gained from the certifications starts making sense and can be assimilated into your understanding of the bigger picture. Also, those are perishable skills that will be forgotten within days or weeks if you don't actively practice them every day/week.

My unit hires new grads all the time and nobody asks them idiotic questions about certifications because a normal company does not expect that from a new nurse. If your employer asks you for certifications and you actually spend the money to get them (before you get a job offer) and assuming they hire you, I can guarantee you will regret working for that company.

I had an interview with 1 hospital that asked me for certificaitons when I was brand new: Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, IL. Glad I'm not working for them. The interview was creepy and the HR manager and the med-surg director made me feel unwelcome.

Now, if you've been a med-surg RN for 5 years and you have no certifications at all then that would be an issue, most people would ask why? But for new grads it is not recommended or needed.

Once you get a job and you are doing well, your manager will inform you at the appropriate time when it's time to start thinking about a certification. Some units like ICU or ED/trauma have a timeframe (usually within a year) for completing the initial certifications.

When you are new and the interviewer/manager likes you, there is no way in the world they will reject you because you don't have certifications.

0 Votes

Hi pnkgirl25

Can you pls pm me too the site where to get the $270 acls, pals and ekg? I would really appreciate your helo. Thanks

U can email me too at [email protected]

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment