Are You Board Certified?

There are two certifications for Occupational Health Nursing -- COHN and COHN-S. The difference between them is the the "S" requires a bachelors degree, and is more management based. Requirements are experience in the field, continuing education credits, and of course to pass the board exam.

For more info go to http://www.abohn.org and for more info on Occupational Health Nursing go to http://www.aaohn.org

I am certified as a COHN-S

Thanks,

GDW

Hi Bonnie: Certified in psych-mental health, as are most of my co-workers. Employers do look at certification both as a validation of your knowledge, and also as evidence of a commitment on your part to excellence in your specialty.

I didn't use tapes, did look at a review book, mostly to see the kinds of questions to anticipate. Many of the questions are practice-based, so if you have sound experience in your field, plus review as Karen suggested, you will do fine.

Good luck!

Patty

I am an OB/GYN nurse, and chose NOT to get certified in my area. Why? I see it as an extra liability (especially in L&D) without ANY extra compensation for the knowledge.

Just my opinion.

Originally posted by Susy K

I am an OB/GYN nurse, and chose NOT to get certified in my area. Why? I see it as an extra liability (especially in L&D) without ANY extra compensation for the knowledge.

Just my opinion.

Just out of curiosity, how can it be an extra liability? This is a sincere question, I've never heard that before.

Nightingale, are we on the same wavelength or what? I too am planning to sit for my certification in May. I'm going to just study by reviewing nursing journals, and boning up on my weak spots. I just have to come up with all that money!

Originally posted by SharonMH31

Just out of curiosity, how can it be an extra liability? This is a sincere question, I've never heard that before.

Here is an example.

As an L&D nurse you can get certified in EFM (electronic fetal monitoring) which is something above and beyond what your average L&D nurse knows. All L&D nurses are trained in EFM interpretation - but the "certification" is an extra step.

EFM interpretation is difficult and subjective enough - and if you don't catch the subtle clues of fetal distress, you can liable - even MORE so than your average L&D nurse because you are EFM Certifiied. When babies are born with cerebral palsy, people can get very emotional and as a result, start a lawsuit.

When you are the only person monitoring this strip, and your attending is counting on YOU to call him with the signs of fetal distress - this can be a very touchy thing.