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?

OP, you had 93 replies, some of them related to the question you asked, lol. So, what's the verdict? Can there be too many certs?

The verdict? To be honest I disagree and think auditing extra classes (even if you can't test out) and getting the certs you can makes a person look ambitious and shows initiative.

However I'm not a hiring manager and I know young go getters can scare the older staff. So......I'll stick with my completed ACLS and PALS for now and not work for others.

And no one will be interested in your prior "highly specalized" sonogram career because you aren't in that field any more.

As far as whoever commented about my other specialities. Working as a lowly echocardiographer last week I applied my ACLS and nursing skills and initiated a Rapid Response for a patient who was degrading. Perhaps you guys are suggesting I know my roll as "just an echocardiographer" and not step on the nurses toes.

Not to mention the same day I had another STAT echo on a degrading patient that both the ICU nurses and hospitalist didn't know what to do or what was going on. After 5 minutes with the patient I asked both the ICU nurse and hospitalist if they had looked for a PE. They both stated they hadn't considered that. Hard to believe just a lowly echocardiographer had the knowledge to figure that out or dared have the courage to address the ICU nurse and hospitalist in such a manner.

Yeah, I wouldn't want a new nurse grad with 16 years of healthcare experience either. Seriously?

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For the record. Here at this hospital a new nurse is expected to be certified in PALS within 6 months of hire to Med/Surg. PALS/ACLS certification within 6 month of hire to ICU. TNCC (or CALS)/NRP/ACLS/PALS within 6 months of hire to ED.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

^^^ I'm sensing more and more arrogance from the OP.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Trust me, you youngsters do not scare me one bit.

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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?

The verdict? To be honest I disagree and think auditing extra classes (even if you can't test out) and getting the certs you can makes a person look ambitious and shows initiative.

Then why did you ask?

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Because I was curious.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
For the record. Here at this hospital a new nurse is expected to be certified in PALS within 6 months of hire to Med/Surg. PALS/ACLS certification within 6 month of hire to ICU. TNCC (or CALS)/NRP/ACLS/PALS within 6 months of hire to ED.

Yes but those are speciality specific. So to want to get TNCC, NRP & anything else when you just started working in med surg doesn't show that you're a good worker or dedicated, it makes you look bad.

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Because I was curious.

Because you wanted validation, is what it sounds like. Next time you want that kind of "advice", ask a mirror. Thank you!

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Specializes in as above.

too many certificates, and not keeping them updated is your responsibilty. Liability? aka being sued, be careful what you get certified for. and keep the receipts for tax purposes.

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Thanks Roy. No worries there. I'm a king of tax deductions.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Thanks Roy. No worries there. I'm a king of tax deductions.

*rolls eyes*

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I am a nurse manager. Having all those certifications is only going to benefit you in the job you are applying for. An example: if you are applying for long term care- having ICU, PALS does not relate to that particular job. Also remember, certifications have to be renewed. They may have been free initially, however, you have to re-certify and that may cost. I know many nurses who have let their extra certifications go, because of the renewal costs and they were not being used.

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