Certification Requirements for RN's

luvazsun, RN · Sep 19, 2011

BCLS is on the American heart Association website for the online course. Then you can find a local skills test location to do the skills part. $50

PALS classes listed in the website also.

NRP is specific to neonatal nursing, is on the American Academy of Pediatrics website. Same scenario as the BCLS. $ about $125

MamaCJRN · Sep 19, 2011

AWHONN is Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses. When you say AWHONN Certification, are you referring to the Fetal Monitoring Course? If so, you can usually find a class for $150-$200. I teach this course but I'm in Oklahoma.

You can take the NRP test on line then you would have to arrange to do the simulation part with an instructor.

Hope this was helpful :)

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Sep 20, 2011

CCRN means nothing. It's a nursing certification in critical care, but the letters mean nothing.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 20, 2011

It would probably take less time for you to google these questions, than for us to answer. For example, my search of TNCC took less than 3 seconds.

**LaurelRN, MSN · Sep 20, 2011

ccrn means nothing. it's a nursing certification in critical care, but the letters mean nothing.

:madface:

as an icu nurse who is ccrn...trust me....those letters mean alot...

ccrn= critical care registered nurse

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2011

:madface:
as an icu nurse who is ccrn...trust me....those letters mean alot...

ccrn= critical care registered nurse

i think scotte is referring to the fact that the letters don't actually stand for anything:

"ccrn is a registered service mark and a brand name. it does not mean 'critical

care registered nurse' as aacn cannot guarantee that a certificant is a

registered nurse; this is an issue between the nurse and their state. we do

require that certificants possess a current unencumbered rn or aprn license

when they apply for the exam and renew their certification, and that they notify us

of any change in their status." (from the faq leaflet on the aacn's website)

wrst · Sep 20, 2011

It would probably take less time for you to google these questions, than for us to answer. For example, my search of TNCC took less than 3 seconds.

this is why I am so thankful to the members of this group who are very helpful and with positive disposition.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Sep 20, 2011

I think ScottE is referring to the fact that the letters don't actually stand for anything:
"CCRN is a registered service mark and a brand name. It does not mean 'Critical
Care Registered Nurse' as AACN cannot guarantee that a certificant is a
registered nurse; this is an issue between the nurse and their state. We do
require that certificants possess a current unencumbered RN or APRN license
when they apply for the exam and renew their certification, and that they notify us
of any change in their status." (from the FAQ leaflet on the AACN's website)

Exactly that and only that. It wasn't a statement about the value of obtaining CCRN certification. I thought that was pretty clear from my post. The OP asked what the acronym CCRN stands for, and it stands for nothing because it isn't an acronym. It is a name.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Sep 21, 2011

Typically BLS, ACLS, PALS & NRP can all be obtained through your employer. Courses are either free or at a reduced cost.

For BLS, I think I paid $60 which included the class and the book. When I went for my re-certification, it was free because I was employed at a hospital at that time.

ACLS varies. At my hospital, it is free; all you have to do is pay $30 for the book. If I were to take the ACLS course outside of my hospital, I would be looking at $200+ for the course.

TNCC-P at my facility I believe is $150 or $175, but upon successful completion of the course, you get reimbursed.

CCRN requires you have at least 1,750 hours (as an RN or APRN) of direct bedside care of critically ill patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application. If you want the neonatal or pediatric certification, you need to spend all of those hours taking care of those patients. CCRN is $225 for AACN members and $330 for non-AACN members. I heard the CCRN test is very difficult, even more so than PCCN (certification for progressive care nurses).