Certification - worth it?

PedsED-RN · Jan 2, 2009

I know our hospital is huge on RNs getting certified. I have not yet, switching from adults to peds, I believe I need to have 2000 hrs logged working in pediatrics before I am eligible to cert in peds, emergency, or the new "CPEN" that just went through beta testing (pediatric emergency). I don't remember if we get much of a pay raise after certification, but I know it is well respected. Does your hospital cover any of the costs for you to certify or re-cert? Ours does a "reimbursement/bonus" after passing, of I think $500 (maybe 300, I can't remember). You have to pay upfront for the class/exam though. They also cover the cost of recertification when that is due.

I would have to imagine that if you were ever to be looking for a different job, that it would be a factor to make you stand out from other potential applicants. It shows your dedication and expertise in the specific area (or areas for you!), which is never a bad thing. Not only do you have experience in the given specialty, but you went far enough to get certified.

Good luck, and I hope you are enjoying your newer area. =)

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 2, 2009

A few years ago, I would have said, "No, it's not worth it."

A few years from now, I will probably be saying, "Yes, it's definitely worth it."

Right now, our profession seems to be somewhat on the fence. In some regions of the country and in some hospitals, certification is sufficiently valued to help you get hired and to earn you some extra pay. In other hospitals and regions, it is not. I hate to say it, but you will have to look at your local/regional situation and the particular hospital for the answer to this question.

If I were a staff nurse now, I would probably be planning to become certified as it will probably be helpful in the future.

smcabee · Jan 2, 2009

My hospital reimburses for the class and the certification if you pass. They also give us a dollar an hour extra paid quarterly so its a nice little bonus check. So to me it was worth it.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

ER certification is widely recognized, geri pysch you don't hear that much about it. I would do it if your hospital supports it.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

If your employer pays for it, I'd say go for it, but in my experience, it only made a difference in pay of 10 CENTS per hour and made no difference in respect. It has never made a difference in my getting a job different places.

rainyann · Jan 3, 2009

We pay up front of the test and hope they pass. We will also pay for the second time around. Our nurses get paid to have it but what happened to personal satisfaction? When I first became certified in Emergency Nursing I did it for me, we didn't get extra money. Now quite a few nurses don't want to do it unless there are monetary benefits.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

I got mine for personal satisfaction--it was a goal and part of my bucket list, but I do understand not wanting to take a stressful test, pay over $300 for it, pay over $300 to renew it, and having to jump all the other hurdles of continuing education to get and maintain it. It's a matter of benefits vs. barriers...

allnurses Guide · Jan 3, 2009

If it interests you and is something you want to spend time studying, then do it for you and you alone. Then if it does benefit you in another way (pay, desireability), that's just the icing on the cake. :icon_hug:

I went for my master's just because I wanted to. :hrnsmlys:

lsyorke, RN · Jan 3, 2009

I got my wound care certification...the hospital paid for the course and my time when I was there. Nothing more in salary. That said, it was a GREAT course and well worth it for the education.