Anyone here an RNC?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming you mean taking your certification exam in your specialty. If that's what you're talking about, then I say go for it. My employer offered an increase in pay for your certification. Even if they don't, it is certainly an accomplishment to be proud of, and it looks great on your resume. Good luck!

I am an RN, BC, in Psychiatric/Mental Health. I got the certification independently because my job changed from working with the mentally ill to working with the geriatric population. I wanted to capture that experience for my resume. I was laid off from my job. I got a new job as a supervisor in LTC working with dementia patients. I don't know if certification was a factor in my selection for the job. It did look good on my resume. The cost of certification was tax deductible.

That's what I wondered too when I started thinking about testing. I had always wanted to get the certification but was nervous about it. I got my certification in med surg, and I got an hourly raise and a bonus lump sum when my results came back.

Anne, RNC

My employer, too, offers a financial incentive of $100 per month. I think they do this if they are going for magnet status, which means they are giving a ton of money to ANA

I think it depends on where you work. Most hospitals in my area will at least pay you a lump bonus if not give you a raise as well for getting an initial certification, meaning you haven't held one before. Most will also pay for your exam fees. To me, that was worth it. The couple thousand dollars a year extra I get now is going to amount to alot over my lifetime. I think there is a study out there somewhere that shows that certified nurses make more money (I would bet the ANCC did it, since they put out so many certifications) -- you might want to look for that kind of info also.

Just got my RNC in Inpatient OB this last winter. I think the process of studying and taking the test made a difference in my knowledge base and I know the alphabet soup made a difference in how some of my colleagues view my skills. I think it was worth it. My hospital didn't give any extra pay for certification, I think our new contract included a periodic lump sum when recerting or getting the initial cert.

I have mine. For me, it was about personal satisfaction and a raise of 2.00 an hour cert pay. Don't regret it. But you have to pay attention and keep on those CEUs as it can sneak up on ya. I also have a Cert in CB Education, same thing. CEUs and well, it was pretty much needed to be able to receive compensation/pay for my classes from DSHS and insurance entities.

I am an RNC-OB. While it was a personal achievement for me, I received NO financial benefit from my facility.

I obtained my OB certification this spring. I did it for self fullfillment. Our hospital paid for the exam and gave us a 500.00 bonus. Now our facility is launching a professional ladder that includes a 2500.00 bonus but you must be have your RNC before applying for the ladder. Glad I did it now for sure. I have 20 years L and D experience and was nervous about taking the exam but it really was not that difficult. I say do it, you will not regret it.

I obtained my OB certification this spring. I did it for self fullfillment. Our hospital paid for the exam and gave us a 500.00 bonus. Now our facility is launching a professional ladder that includes a 2500.00 bonus but you must be have your RNC before applying for the ladder. Glad I did it now for sure. I have 20 years L and D experience and was nervous about taking the exam but it really was not that difficult. I say do it, you will not regret it.

Except for the 500.00 bonus part, this is exactly what my institution has. I did it, had mixed feelings about it b/c I really don't think I was any smarter or a better nurse after I took the exam than I was before taking it...just now I can sign "nurse smith, RNC". Maybe other people think I'm smarter now;)....little do they know. My patients really have no idea what the title means unless I explain it to them, which I am not in the habit of doing. Some days I just think it's some made up thing that the NCC promotes just to make money..... but now I'm rambling. But hey, if your institution is promoting it and paying for it like mine is, there is nothing to lose (maybe alot to gain) for passing the exam.

I think the process of maintaining the certification with CEUs helps a professional nurse keep current in her profession. The certification is not a way of saying you are smarter than anyone else but that you, by experience and knowledge obtained along the way have credentials to put behind that process and that you are dedicated to the pursuit of ongoing eduation and professionalism. Certification is not for everyone. It was just something that I wanted to do for myself.

Has anyone taken the Maternal Newborn RNC exam? I just ordered the study guide and the 2 recommended books to prepare for the exam. I am trying to figure out how much time I will need to prepare for the exam. I am looking at taking the computer exam, so no deadlines to meet for applying.

So, how long did it take you to study for the exam? and did you find it easy or difficult?

In my hospital we do not have a career ladder, so no increase in pay or bonus for obtaining an RNC. However, they will reimburse me the cost of the exam.

I obtained my CLC last December and they didn't reimburse me for that cert. But it's needed education towards my IBCLC.

So, for me this is a matter of pride and wanting to obtain a higher level of education in my area of nursing.