Certifications while job hunting or wait to get hired?

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Specializes in Currently: Certified School Nurse.

What did you do?

I'm trying to decide if its smart or a waste for me to pursue certifications like NRP now while I am trying to get hired on an L&D, postpartum, nursery, etc unit. I'll do anything to make myself stand out, but i'm just not sure this is going to help much.

Any thoughts?

TIA!

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I'm a student right now and that's the same question I have.On one hand your hospital might offer training for this certification or you could get it on your own. Here is a website that i found:

NRP Online Certification Recertification Course

I would ask experienced

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Become a Certified Lactation Counselor... :D

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Specializes in NICU.

Most L&D/PP/Nursery units ask that you have 2 years of MedSurg training before you apply. I had no certifications before my hire to OB/GYN. Some things I did get after hire were NRP (the baby version of ACLS), STABLE, Certified Lactation Counselor, and eventually my RNC-LRN.

If you take the NRP program on line, you need to find an instructor that will check you off on megacode. You have one month from the time you finish the exam portion (and there are 9 sections) to complete megacode or you cannot get a card and the tests are worthless. You have to take them all over again and pay the 23.50 to take them all over again.

Keep in mind also, that these certifications are easier to obtain and you can understand the rationale for some of the interventions better with some experience behind you.

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