C-ELBW

nicu-nurse, BSN · Mar 12, 2023

NICU Guy said:

Has anyone taken the C-ELBW certification exam? What program did you use?

I am looking into Nurse Builders and Engage, Grow, Thrive Small Baby Care Specialist program.

Hello! Yes, I took the certification right after it came out. I read "Golden Hours" from NCC and then just looked at the breakdown of what the test covered and self studied the topics. I have also taken the RNC and the C-NNIC and found the C-ELBW to be the easiest of the three certifications.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Mar 15, 2023

nicu-nurse said:

Hello! Yes, I took the certification right after it came out. I read "Golden Hours" from NCC and then just looked at the breakdown of what the test covered and self studied the topics. I have also taken the RNC and the C-NNIC and found the C-ELBW to be the easiest of the three certifications.

Just to clarify, you looked at the topics of the test and read the corresponding topics in the book. Did you read any other books for the test?

nicu-nurse, BSN · Mar 15, 2023

NICU Guy said:

Just to clarify, you looked at the topics of the test and read the corresponding topics in the book. Did you read any other books for the test?

I took the breakdown of the test from the website, as it gives all the topics it covers and I corresponded it with the Golden Hours. If I felt it was too vague, I used the Core Curriculum Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing by Verklan in which I looked up a few things. I work in a 55 bed level 3 NICU and I felt that a lot of it I do in every day practice. I am not sure if you took your RNC, but the C-ELBW is so much easier because it has a single focus, whereas the RNC was so very vast.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Mar 15, 2023

OK thanks. I didn't want to buy a bunch of books and only use certain parts of the book. I have Merenstein & Gardner's, so I can use that as a back-up.

I work at a 103 bed Level IV for the last 8 yrs.. so hopefully my knowledge base will fill in the gaps.

nicu-nurse, BSN · Mar 15, 2023

NICU Guy said:

I work at a 103 bed Level IV for the last 8 yrs.. so hopefully my knowledge base will fill in the gaps.

Oh you should be fine then!! I didn't study incredibly long for it. I took it 6 wks after I signed up for it.

I am curious, does your unit compensate you for having this certification or do you get specific assignments when you have it? I am the only one on my unit who has it and nobody cares (except I am happy to have it).

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Mar 15, 2023

Right now no one has it that I am aware of. We are starting a Tiny Baby Unit due to the overturn of Rowe v Wade. The state now has a "Born Alive" law, which means that we are now resuscitating 21 and 22 week babies. We are in the process of revamping our protocols to better care for the 22 weekers. Several of us that want to be part of the unit are taking the certification. My hope is that becomes a requirement to be part of the team.

nicu-nurse, BSN · Mar 15, 2023

NICU Guy said:

Right now no one has it that I am aware of. We are starting a Tiny Baby Unit due to the overturn of Rowe v Wade. The state now has a "Born Alive" law, which means that we are now resuscitating 21 and 22 week babies. We are in the process of revamping our protocols to better care for the 22 weekers. Several of us that want to be part of the unit are taking the certification. My hope is that becomes a requirement to be part of the team.

A tiny baby unit sounds incredible with a certified team!

Our unit started taking 22 wkers last year and have had several in the last year. It's definitely uncharted territory that we are still trying to navigate. I have not heard of resuscitating 21 wkers yet!!