Any RN,C's?

GailWHNP · Jul 12, 2002

Hi,

It hasn't done all that much for my career that I'm aware of, except perhaps give me an extra 50 cents/hr. I feel it looks good on the resume, but I became certified more for personal satisfaction.

Gail

Andrew_LandD · Jul 14, 2002

Hi! I have my RNC and I can recommend a few things for taking the test, as well as let you know what it was like.

First off, I had 2 years experience when I took the exam. Although, still green in L&D (only 2 years) the military has accelerated my learning curve ten fold. Nothing like sink or swim. :)

Okay, I studied 2 books for the exam, and I started studying about a month ahead of time. I used Modules, and AWHONN's Core Curriculum for Maternal-Newborn care. From cover to cover I became intimate with these 2 books up to an hour before the test. Im the kind that likes to cram.

The test I do have to say was very difficult, and like me, the 4 other people that came from my hospital that day to take it we all thought we had failed it. Most of the exam was patho and disease process of your complicated OB cases. Diabetes, HTN, etc.etc. Placental diseases, strips, breastfeeding, PP Hemmorrhage, depression, etc.

Hope that helps, if you decide to certify and you have more questions, let me know.

Andrew

NurseAngie · Jul 14, 2002

Thank you very much for your replies. I can see where being certified brings a huge amount of personal satisfaction. I may be wrong, but I would also think it makes you somewhat of an "expert" in the area. (am I wrong?) Of course I don't mean to imply anything other than it makes you a valuable member of the healthcare team.

Andrew, thank you for giving me an idea of what is invloved. I am sure the test is quite a "doozy", but I'm proud for you because YOU DID IT! I bet you got a lot of experience in the military that has helped you along the way. (My husband is military, but not in the medical field.) Did you work labor and delivery while you were in the military? What unit do you work on now? Do you consider ever becoming a WHNP or CNM? What's your favorite part of your job now? Least favorite?

Thanks again ~Angie

shay · Jul 15, 2002

I'm still too scared to take the test. :eek:

NurseAngie · Jul 16, 2002

Originally posted by shay
I'm still too scared to take the test.

Hey,

Why so scared? I bet you would do great! Have you been preparing yourself for it? I bet the personal satisfaction you get from doing it will make it all worth it, so....what are ya waiting for??? You can do it!:kiss

~Angie

JillyT · Jul 16, 2002

Student here.....What is an RN, C??

HazeK · Jul 16, 2002

RNC=specialty certification

ex. Inpatient obstetrics

ex. Fetal Monitoring

ex. High risk OB

ex. CCRNC=critical care RNC

for me, purely self-satisfation. No difference in $ here in Las Vegas.

other places, was $0.50 to $1 bonus for certification.

haze :cool:

shay · Jul 16, 2002

Originally posted by NurseAngie

Hey,
Why so scared? I bet you would do great! Have you been preparing yourself for it? I bet the personal satisfaction you get from doing it will make it all worth it, so....what are ya waiting for??? You can do it!:kiss

~Angie

I have heard that the more experience you have, the harder the test, b/c you tend to overthink it. I just don't wanna fork out all that $$$ and then BOMB it!!! :eek:

NurseAngie · Jul 17, 2002

Hey there,

You know what NOT to do (with all that experience on your side, I bet you know the RIGHT answers at sight)! It's too bad that there isn't a more lucrative reason to get the certification, but I am willing to bet that your personal satisfaction will make it all worthwhile. You will do what you need to when the time comes if it's something you decide you want to do. I just know you're an awesome baby catcher and I don't doubt that you are an expert already. Take care & see ya on the boards!

:) Angie

NurseAngie · Jul 17, 2002

Originally posted by HazeK
RNC=specialty certification

ex. Inpatient obstetrics
ex. Fetal Monitoring
ex. High risk OB
ex. CCRNC=critical care RNC

for me, purely self-satisfation. No difference in $ here in Las Vegas.
other places, was $0.50 to $1 bonus for certification.

haze

I think it's really terrific that you are certified and it's too bad that your hospital doesn't pay you for it! (You're a darn expert here!)

Thanks for your reply to my post.

:) Angie

Andrew_LandD · Jul 17, 2002

Angie,

Did you work labor and delivery while you were in the military? What unit do you work on now?

- Sure do! I am still in the military and still doing L&D.

Do you consider ever becoming a WHNP or CNM?

- Have considered CNM, in fact while in the military we have an avenue to go to school for free and get paid. The only problem I have with it now is my family. I have a new baby due in August and 2 other little ones. I have been married for 12 years to a wonderful woman. I love my family and I like to be able to go home and seperate that family time from work time. I would hate to be called in, or spend as much time as they do at the hospital. I also sometimes find myself saying at a delivery, " I could have done that," when watching the doctor deliver the baby. So the thought of a CNM is lingering.

What's your favorite part of your job now?

-The emotional experience with a delivery. Especially when you have several generations in the family and it is the first grand child of the family. The adrenaline rush when you see your FHR drop to 60bpm and then go bradycardiac. Then lastly, Fetal Heart Monitoring. I love it. I love to teach it, breathe it , live it, argue about it. FHM is my cup of tea lets say.

Least favorite

- Bad outcomes. People that work L&D but really dont want to do it. Working nights. (Body doesnt function right no matter how long I am on them.)

I did RNC for personal satisfaction. It was a great achievment for me. Our ward has a plaque on the wall with all our little RNC plaques on it. Its great to see your name up on that board. Plus in the military if you certify it specializes you in an area and you continue to work in that area vice being shifted around to other areas.

Take care.

Andrew