Does AWOHNN offer certification?

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 7, 2004

Not that I know of. You can receive fetal heart monitoring training (and other training sponsored by AWHONN) but as far as I know, they are not a certifying body of any sort. They are a standardization organization.

JMinCO · Sep 10, 2004

My hospital requires AWHONN cert. It's for fetal monitoring. It's a two day course and certification. I'm registered to take it in Oct. My educator had arranged it for me. The reason it's required is because if all L and D nurses at a facility have it then the hospital get's a discount on their liability coverage that's quite substantial. Luckly, my hospital pays for it for new grads. If you're planning on interviewing for a job that requires it. Tell them you're willing to get the training, they're just trying to find people with it already so they don't have to pay for it. I've been told by my educator that the test is tricky and if you know the tricks you can pass just fine. So talk to someone in your area who's taken it or better yet teaches it.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 10, 2004

It's training, but not certification, I dont' think.

BETSRN · Sep 10, 2004

Passing a test does NOT a competant L&D nurse make!

JMinCO · Sep 11, 2004

The course we're taking does have a certification, that's why the exam. I agree.. passing a test alone won't make you competent, but it sure makes me one step closer. My facility doesn't sign you up for a class/test and expect competency. I've been working for 7 mos now on the deck as a new grad. I got a lengthy 1:1 preceptorship, a comprehensive didactic course and an on-going resource RN assignment. Even with all that, nobody has unrealistic expectations. Competency is a long road in this specialty. J.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 11, 2004

Good, glad to hear back from you! Please understand: No one here is questioning your path or training. But when speaking of certification, (I have had the AWHONN fetal heart monitoring classes both beginner and advanced too), I was thinking of NCC certification. Fetal heart monitoring is but a very small part of what we do. Sorry if you felt offended, honestly no offense was meant. Good luck in your career and enjoy the classes!

JMinCO · Sep 12, 2004

Hi SmilingBlueEyes, Thanks for the msg. No offense taken, really. Sorry, if I came across as annoyed. Anyway, I owe you an apology... I got my study guide today and the AWHONN FHMPP course isn't a "certification" just a "competency validation". But you do get a good amount of CEUS at least. I am looking forward to it and thanks for your well wishes. J.

Good, glad to hear back from you! Please understand: No one here is questioning your path or training. But when speaking of certification, (I have had the AWHONN fetal heart monitoring classes both beginner and advanced too), I was thinking of NCC certification. Fetal heart monitoring is but a very small part of what we do. Sorry if you felt offended, honestly no offense was meant. Good luck in your career and enjoy the classes!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Sep 12, 2004

awhonn does not grant certification. visit the following sites for information regarding select certifications:

http://www.awhonn.org/awhonn/?pg=873-1970

american college of nurse-midwives (acnm) www.acnm.org
american nurses credentialing center (ancc) www.nursingworld.org/ancc
international childbirth education association (icea) www.icea.org
international lactation consultants association (icla) www.ilca.org
lamaze international www.lamaze.org
national certification corporation for the obstetric, gynecologic and neonatal nursing specialties (ncc) www.nccnet.org

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 12, 2004

Well you all said it better than I! Really, that was what I was trying to say:

AWHONN provides competency traning, not certs. I am sorry I stated it so poorly! Glad Karen stepped in here. Thank you, Karen!