ANCC certification - does good, or just looks good?

[NiteNurz79]

OK, my boss wants several of us to get our ANCC certification. We work on a small inpatient psych unit in a medium-size rural hospital. I already do more CEU's a year in psych than ANCC requires, so it's not about keeping up in my field. A co-worker says that hospitals benefit when they have ANCC certified nurses on staff - looks good to the inspectors. What's the real story? Is the benefit to the nurses and our patients, or just the CEO? Any ANCC certified nurses out there with an opinion?

[morecoffeepls, BSN, RN]

I felt the same as busterboy21 - the test was easy. I bought the book, and studied for a few hours the day before the exam just so I could feel better about spending the money. Like any nursing exam - try to relax and read the questions carefully. I like being board-certified and having a couple more letters after my name. I also like climbing that clinical ladder because 'why not'? Professional development is a no-brainer, unless you are married to your current position and salary. Despite other posters to this thread implying that potential employers are indifferent to certification, I tend to doubt that. I think it says something about that nurse - that they are motivated, et cetera. My employer paid for the exam and gave me $3 more an hour for passing it. I can't wrap my head around why some people on my unit choose not to do it. That being said, I'm a fairly new nurse and still in school mode. There are nurses that have taken the test and failed repeatedly, but they have been in the business for decades and may not have the time or ability to study effectively. In re-reading mtdnk's post, I believe the most important reason why I chose to pursue certification was to show my commitment to my chosen specialty - to myself, my peers, my patients, and any future potential employers.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm not expecting major salary increases for getting certification, but I am hoping it will help with career advancement and even just finding a new job when I relocate :) Seriously, the main reason I am doing it is because as other posters have said, it's pushing myself to grow and develop professionally. I love psych and while I an considering dabbling in other areas, I see myself staying in psych for the long term.

I just finished my 30th continuing education hour (out with flu = lots of time on hands = mad CE reading!) , so now it's time to start the reviewing. I'm hoping to test within the next month or two.

[backtoharmony]

Take the test, it pays off. Trust me I habe been a psych nurse and am a PMHNP now. I will open door's that otherwise are closed. I always helps.

[backtoharmony]

Sorry for the poor spelling in previous thread response. I never was a good speller.

What I was trying to say was, it always pays off, every time, personally and on the job. Read the post from the 27 year vet in here somewhere, I also have 26 years experience. So trust us, as we speak from life's experience. It's a small price to pay for many unspoke and spoken benifit's. And I never cracked a book when I took it, and passed it on first try and I'm a terrable test taker generally speaking.