Are you certified in your specialty?

[beeker]

My employer offers zero incentive. No pay raise or reimbursements at all! But I'd like to get certified. The exams almost 400 and the text s 275 and a new edition just came out. The used older editions are almost as much as the new ones. My husband wants me to skip it. I know it won't do much for me now but I'd like to have it for my résumé. I'd also like the challenge of putting my brain back to work to Alleviate baby brain. Has anyone regretted getting certified or not renewed? Any advice? Having a hard time justifying the huge price tag.

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

I am certified in my specialty, progressive care. I sought it out for personal reasons, mostly to challenge myself and learn more about the type of patients I was now taking care of. It's a good thing I did, too, because the hospital now requires PCCN to work in our IMU. I am currently in the process of transferring to the CVICU and I am pretty sure I will go for the CCRN next or the CSC. Studying for the exams really does help cement things like patho and rationals for treatments and generally makes one a better nurse. It also fulfills the continuing ed requirement for license renewal in some states, I believe.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I'm pretty much in the same boat with my employer. The only pay incentive is related to the clinical ladder process- in order to qualify for the top rung, the nurse has to have either a BSN or certification. To be honest, I (and many other nurses at my facility) do not find the incentive of clinical laddering to be equal to the amount of work required. .

I know, right? I like being certified in whatever area I'm working in, because I like to become an "expert" at whatever it is I'm doing. But after getting my BSN last year, I inquired about what it would take to get in the clinical ladder (have to have a BSN to even start the process) and holy hell! There is SO MUCH work involved! I feel like I'm back in school. It was stressing me out so much, I decided not to do it, and instead just focus on my MSN.

But yes, like I said, I like to become certified for my own edification.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

As soon as I finish up this BSN here in the next few weeks, getting my CPN is next on the list. It counts towards clinical advancement only, we get no immediate gratification from our employer for being certified. They will cover the test if we pass though.

[Annaiya, NP]

My employer reimbursed for the first certification but not for any subsequent certifications. I really wanted my CCRN, so I paid for that myself. I feel it was totally worth it and encouraged my coworkers who were on the fence to do it. It's just nice to have that confirmation that you really are knowledgable in your field. My employer also allows the credentials to be added to your badge which is a nice non-monetary way to recognize the accomplishment.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Have my cen. Employer paid for test & i get $2/hr cert pay. would have gotten cert regardless but they made it sweeter.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Im studying for CEN and CPEN. They will repay the test fee if you pass.

I do it because it is padding my resume....

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Yes, certified in my area. It's been 6 years now with it.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm certified in my specialty. My facility will help pay for the cost of testing...would have been nice if I hadn't already gotten the certification one week before starting the job. I do get a modest pay increase (25-50 cents an hour). I don't know what it does for my ascent up the clinical latter, but there are some units that prefer certified applicants.

However, I didn't do it for any financial benefits--I did it to develop myself professionally and to strive to be the best nurse that I'm able to be.

[miasmom]

Heck. I would like a company that lets you transfer or move up. I am willing to work hard and study, even if I am no spring chicken. And not punish me for having a voice. I M looking reallllllllly close at a new one now.