CCRN make or break?

Snowbird17 · Feb 1, 2012

If everyone else has it, wouldn't you want it too. You don't want to stick out because you are missing it!

RNGriffin · Feb 2, 2012

That's like saying, "Everyone has a degree, so not having one would make a more positive impact on my candidacy."

blucrna · Feb 2, 2012

No that's not what I am saying at all.The second response was remarking as if i said "o i have no plans to sit for ccrn because it's too much time."

I work at a lvl 1 trauma hospital and our icu is packed with long time veterans and from reading this board, most are planning on sitting for the test. Not getting the ccrn is plain lazy if ur are able to take it. What i was asking was how big of a differentiator can it be if all of the applicants have it.

RNGriffin · Feb 2, 2012

No that's not what I am saying at all.The second response was remarking as if i said "o i have no plans to sit for ccrn because it's too much time."
I work at a lvl 1 trauma hospital and our icu is packed with long time veterans and from reading this board, most are planning on sitting for the test. Not getting the ccrn is plain lazy if ur are able to take it. What i was asking was how big of a differentiator can it be if all of the applicants have it.

The difference is the same as with any job candidate. Now you have all the possible qualifications, but it's your interviewing skills, personality, skill set, and experience that will separate you from the rest of the candidates. :-)

WolfpackRed · Feb 2, 2012

I can only relate my experiences, first as an interviewee and second as a SRNA on an interview committee.

during my interview for school, the interview was going well (in my opinion) then someone asked "what I would do if I was not selected for admissions?" as I laid out a plan, the interviewed asked straight out "do you plan to get your CCRN?" and I responded that I had it and I apologized as the certificate should have been in my application ( I had taken the CCRN exam months prior to the application deadline). Upon hearing that answer, there was a little scurrying as the committee updated my application. as some back ground (not bragging), prior to applying to the nurse anesthesia program, I had been a MICU and NSICU nurse at major urban teaching hospitals for a total of 3 years, had CCRN, TNCC, BLS, ACLS, and PALS, prior military experience, a BS in biochemistry with a minor in genetics, and a GRE of 1180.

as an SRNA on an interview committee, I feel that having your CCRN demonstrates that you are motivated and dedicated to your profession. you have also shown the ability to apply a high level of critical thinking skills. on the interviews I have seen a range of nurses with little experience having their CCRN as well as seasoned nurses without it. under the pressure of the interview, I have seen both sets freeze up on clinically related questions.

final thoughts - on paper, I think the CCRN can set a candidate apart, as griffenchet stated, once you make it to the interview stage other factors can set you apart.

p.s. if the committee asks if you plan to obtain your CCRN, please answer "yes" or "no". one candidate said it was not worth their time, they did not do so well