Are too many certifications a bad thing?

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As a new RN grad I've been working hard at attaining all kinds of certifications and course completions. ACLS, PALS, ATLS, Rapid STEMI identification, Stroke assessment, with NRP, TNCC, and CCRN coming up soon. Thankfully as an echocardiographer I've convinced the hospital I work at to send me to all these classes on thier dime. But I'm not a staff RN here yet.

Does a med/surg hiring manager look at that and think "he'll jump ship and go to speciality critical care as soon as he can." Does that reduce my chances for a job?

Do my posts really stink of arrogance?

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Yes, up here they hire EMT-B as ER Techs. An ER Tech does triage, CNA type stuff, CPR (compressors), assist with procedures, etc. It's an outstanding opportunity to assist in procedures and witness many clinical scenarios.

Hmmm that's interesting that where you are, techs do triage. I was an ER tech and never did we triage patients. Obtain vitals, ekgs, start Iv's and get urine samples while helping the triage nurse sure, but NEVER triage a patient. I call ********. And yes, your post reek of arrogance.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Certification means that you have mastery and an added skill set within an area. Certifications are valuable but mean very little if you don't have the experience to back them up.

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Do my posts really stink of arrogance?

Yes. The fact that you would even consider sitting for CCRN is proof enough.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.
Do my posts really stink of arrogance?

I have to say, someone coming in as a new grad with the certifications you're contemplating would set most nurses' "dangerously overconfident" alarms off.

There's a difference between the kind of certification that's intended to prepare you for general practice (like BLS and ACLS), the kind of certification that's intended to give you an additional skillset for use in specialized practice (like TNCC) and the kind of certification that's intended to demonstrate a mastery of skills and knowledge you've obtained over years of practice (like CCRN, CEN, or CMSRN). The fact that you're eager to try to get that last type of credentials before having practiced a single day suggests that you either misunderstand them or overestimate your own competencies.

It's totally possible to cram for even a very specialized test test, especially if you're a good test-taker, but that's really not what specialty exams are intended for. Sure, there are review classes for them, and most nurses intending to sit for one take them- but they also have the experience to give that "review" actual meaning- they are reviewing things they've encountered before, not strictly theory, which is all you can possibly be doing at this point, from a nursing perspective.

I attended a two-day CEN review course run by my employer when I had been a nurse for several years but an ER nurse for less than one, and declined to take the exam at that time (CEN recommends, but does not require, two years of practice in the specialty before sitting the exam), even though I knew, as an excellent test-taker, that I could probably pass the test with study. Because the course really emphasized to me just how many things I still hadn't encountered often enough to be expert in them- or even at all- in less than a year of ED nursing. I didn't want to make claims about my expertise that weren't backed up by experience, and I was concerned about being perceived as, yes, arrogant for seeking certification of expertise in something I was in absolutely no sense an expert at yet.

If a brand new grad told me on their first day in the ED that they had already taken the CEN exam, my reaction would be one of serious concern for their understanding of their own capabilities and limitations. As I understand it, CCRN is an even more demanding certification than CEN, with stricter requirements. Their decision-making tree regarding sitting the exam is here and a new grad definitely does not qualify. It may be possible to finagle your way around these standards and sit the exam, and even pass it (through very, very hard study and good luck) but a new grad with no work experience holding this certification would raise eyebrows nearly anywhere: http://www.aacn.org/wd/certifications/docs/practice-decision-tree-exam.pdf

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Specializes in Oncology.

I'm only certified as a chemotherapy provider through ONS, but otherwise nothing with three years experience. I am planning on obtaining my OCN this year. I honestly would have probably been able to pass with a lot of studying and practice as a new grad but I believe I finally have the raw knowledge to back up a certification. I do honestly think it means a little more with experience to back it up. Now does that mean that getting it now is a bad thing? I don't think so necessarily either, but it's not a contest to see who has the most alphabet soup behind their name and it will all be taken with a grain of salt until you have relevant experience.

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If they are things you are not using where you work, like NRP, I am not sure it is so helpful. You can certainly find jobs for new grads in ED and critical care depending on where you are willing to move. Are you ADN, diploma, or BSN? I did not read all of the thread, but why is your job paying for all of the certs when you don't are not a nurse? Have they offered you a med-surg job? It will be a challenge and it is not slow! Unlike some other areas, you can go from status quo to more than 1 patient going bad at a time. It will teach you a lot that you can apply to a critical care or ED job. I cringe when I see grads in the ED, but they do hire them. Personally, I'd say go for a job and learn it well. Slow down with the certs for now. If you are not BSN, that would be a good thing to start. Some areas are really requiring it to even look at your resume. Good luck! You sound smart and eager! :)

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
Do my posts really stink of arrogance?

You come across arrogant, yes. Is it possible that that is coming across in interviews as well? Something to think about.

I belong in high stress crisis situations. I live for that stuff. Med/surg can be a bit slow for my taste.

I hear you on the ICU. That's not a desire of mine either. Again, to slow. However it would be good experience for the ED

I'm worried about this because I've been beat out by a couple of sub-par nurses (who graduated with me) for some rural hospital floor positions. Rumor has it those nurses beat me out because the hiring managers knew these nurses would probably stay forever where someone like me would continuously want to advance.

I know I (and others) were better candidates[/quote
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Thanks Imenid. I am an ADN. I'm holding out for a job so the facility can pay for my BSN or MSN. I've already got a bachelors degree (and two professional associates) and have no desire to pay for another one. Regarding getting certs on my employers dime. I don't know.

Maybe my manager is super cool. Maybe I'm such a highly valued employee my manager in Diagnostic Imaging wants to keep me happy (just speculation of course, otherwise that statement would be arrogant). I assume because I've gone the extra mile for my manager and I'm a team player they want to reward me.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
hey I meed nxjnud

What???

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Thanks Imenid. I am an ADN. I'm holding out for a job so the facility can pay for my BSN or MSN. I've already got a bachelors degree (and two professional associates) and have no desire to pay for another one. Regarding getting certs on my employers dime. I don't know.

Maybe my manager is super cool. Maybe I'm such a highly valued employee my manager in Diagnostic Imaging wants to keep me happy (just speculation of course, otherwise that statement would be arrogant). I assume because I've gone the extra mile for my manager and I'm a team player they want to reward me.

Reread your post and ask yourself again, "Does this sound like someone who is arrogant?" I may have been one of the first to say it, but not you've had multiple people tell you that you come across as "full of yourself."

Unbridled arrogance in a new nurse can be a dangerous thing, for the nurse and for the patient. It can ruin a career before it even gets started.

You need to get an idea of what it's like to be an RN. Nursing school give you a taste of that, but you don't really know what it's like until you're out there working in that role.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

I'd list the certs relevant to the position you're applying for. BLS, ACLS, NRP, ATLS, PALS may all look good for ED, maybe ACLS and BLS for med/surg.

If you are really looking to move into critical care, have you considered bouncing to a nearby state for a few years and then coming back into your nearby ICU/ED? Rural areas seem to be more likely to hire new grads into their ICUs, which may be equivalent to a big hospital's stepdown unit.

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