Certificates, CE, training classes to up my chances of a job?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I am getting close to graduation and just asked for L&D for my role transition course. That I know of I am the only student to request it so I think my chances are good to get it. Anyhow, I am trying to build my resume now. I do not graduate for a few months yet and have time to work on things. Is there any classes, certificates, training that I can take now that would increase my chances of getting hired?

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NRP, OB ACLS, some sort of beginner's fetal monitoring class. That's all I could think of that doesn't actually require experience.

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.

here's the thing about certifications and such for a newbie. as a hiring manager, i wouldn't hire you over someone else if you had all that stuff if i didn't believe you could do the job. i would have no expectation you would have any of these things (ok, maybe ACLS because its marketable anywhere in a facility). in my honest and humble opinion, i think the best way to get hired on an OB floor is to be a tech, or a CNA or extern on a unit. that way i see how you work, see how you learn, and hear from others what they think your potential is. a LOT of people think OB is their dream and never set foot on a unit besides their nursing rotation. let me tell you, there is so much more. you may hate it once you start.

your job in an interview is to convince me you are worth training. it costs a lot of money to train someone new, especially from scratch. convince me you are gonna let me mold you, teach you, make you a long term labor nurse. make me believe it.

a basic monitoring course would be good for you, only to get your feet wet in terminology. until you really work with it, you will only see squiggles.

i feel for everyone who wants to get their foot in the door. its a tough hiring world. good luck to you.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

NRP, STABLE, ACLS, and AWHONN fetal monitoring courses are the ways to go, as far as certs. Different managers have different perspectives on these certs with new grads. For example, I had an informational interview today with a LDRP manager about an upcoming Versant residency position (they're only taking 1-2 external candidates in the department), and she IS impressed that I already have NRP, will have ACLS by the time I apply later this month, and am actively pursuing STABLE and fetal monitoring. I hope to have them all done by the time the residency starts. There's certainly no harm in obtaining them, as many units DO require them for you to even be eligible to apply. No one will look DOWN on you for having them, but some managers may dismiss them and not weigh them in as factors for considering you. Also consider the costs.

Wait until you've begun your practicum, as you'll get a better sense of the job then. It'll help that you precepted there when you are looking for positions.

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NRP, STABLE, ACLS, and AWHONN fetal monitoring courses are the ways to go, as far as certs. Different managers have different perspectives on these certs with new grads. For example, I had an informational interview today with a LDRP manager about an upcoming Versant residency position (they're only taking 1-2 external candidates in the department), and she IS impressed that I already have NRP, will have ACLS by the time I apply later this month, and am actively pursuing STABLE and fetal monitoring. I hope to have them all done by the time the residency starts. There's certainly no harm in obtaining them, as many units DO require them for you to even be eligible to apply. No one will look DOWN on you for having them, but some managers may dismiss them and not weigh them in as factors for considering you. Also consider the costs.

Wait until you've begun your practicum, as you'll get a better sense of the job then. It'll help that you precepted there when you are looking for positions.

Thanks! I'm having a hard time finding these classes as a student, but I did find a few of them. I figure they can't hurt if I can get any of them done.

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here's the thing about certifications and such for a newbie. as a hiring manager, i wouldn't hire you over someone else if you had all that stuff if i didn't believe you could do the job. i would have no expectation you would have any of these things (ok, maybe ACLS because its marketable anywhere in a facility). in my honest and humble opinion, i think the best way to get hired on an OB floor is to be a tech, or a CNA or extern on a unit. that way i see how you work, see how you learn, and hear from others what they think your potential is. a LOT of people think OB is their dream and never set foot on a unit besides their nursing rotation. let me tell you, there is so much more. you may hate it once you start.

your job in an interview is to convince me you are worth training. it costs a lot of money to train someone new, especially from scratch. convince me you are gonna let me mold you, teach you, make you a long term labor nurse. make me believe it.

a basic monitoring course would be good for you, only to get your feet wet in terminology. until you really work with it, you will only see squiggles.

i feel for everyone who wants to get their foot in the door. its a tough hiring world. good luck to you.

I am not naive. I am already scared about how hard it is going to be to get a job and have no delusions that a certificate in anything is going to get me a job. I do not have to work OB and like other areas too. I just think I have a lot of strengths in this area and figured I would pick a field that I had the strongest background in to put my best foot forward with.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Thanks! I'm having a hard time finding these classes as a student, but I did find a few of them. I figure they can't hurt if I can get any of them done.

Google is your friend :)

Neonatal Resuscitation Program - Home

https://www.awhonn.org/awhonn/content.do?name=02_PracticeResources/2G3_Fetal-Heart-Monitoring_Landing.htm

Find a Course

The S.T.A.B.L.E. Program

From each of these, you can find all of these certs.

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.
I am not naive. I am already scared about how hard it is going to be to get a job and have no delusions that a certificate in anything is going to get me a job. I do not have to work OB and like other areas too. I just think I have a lot of strengths in this area and figured I would pick a field that I had the strongest background in to put my best foot forward with.

Wow. There was no intention on my part in implying that you were naive. I was just giving you and opinion based on my managment style. When looking at a resume of an experienced nurse, a list of certifications is always welcomed. A new grad, not so much. I look at experience in an acute care setting. How long have you worked in direct patient care? Its more important to ME that you have your feet wet in day to day goings on than how many tests you took. Honestly, unless you use your newly achieved certiications, you will forget them. And as I said, unless you have worked OB, how do you know you will like it. It may have been a strength in school, but the real world is so much different.

I was just trying to give you another view of how to get out there after graduation. I am sorry you felt demeaned in some way. Good luck to you.

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Wow. There was no intention on my part in implying that you were naive. I was just giving you and opinion based on my managment style. When looking at a resume of an experienced nurse, a list of certifications is always welcomed. A new grad, not so much. I look at experience in an acute care setting. How long have you worked in direct patient care? Its more important to ME that you have your feet wet in day to day goings on than how many tests you took. Honestly, unless you use your newly achieved certiications, you will forget them. And as I said, unless you have worked OB, how do you know you will like it. It may have been a strength in school, but the real world is so much different.

I was just trying to give you another view of how to get out there after graduation. I am sorry you felt demeaned in some way. Good luck to you.

I didn't feel demeaned. I understood exactly your point and you did not offend me at all. I just didn't want you to think I was thought I'd get a certificate and get an instant job. Honestly, I am very nervous about looking for a job. I have been home with my kids and not worked out of the home in quite some time. I appreciate your input and in no way meant to offend you.

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Specializes in L&D.

I agree with babyktcher. Personally, I did get a new grad L&D job....I had to wait for it, while the rest of my classmates were accepting positions left and right but the right position came up for me, and I went for it. I don't believe any of the certifications or classes would hurt, but they would haven't been very helpful aside from the fetal monitoring....mainly because you truly have no idea what you are doing or how to apply it until you are actually doing OB. I am 16 months into OB and just now about to get ACLS, I was NRP certified about 6 months into OB and of course already had BLS. I have also taken beginner fetal monitoring and will take Intermediate and Advanced when my hospital next offers it. I do NOT feel ready for ACLS and as a student..now way would I have been ready.

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I Had a interview for a NICU Internship position last week it's 4-6months long. All those certifications NRP, STABLE, etc. are included in the internship i'm trying to get into. So it would make no sense for me to try and obtain it

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