Certifications for the new RN???

GilaRRT · May 27, 2008

A solid year of experience will be your best bet. The new RN needs to learn how to be an RN first, then worry about certification.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · May 28, 2008

Experience trumps certifications and in order to do well and understand your certification classes, it's good to have some background first (JMHO).

But when you are ready and I'm guessing you are ER since you mentioned the CEN then I would suggest TNCC, ENPC, NRP, ACLS and PALS for a good, broad background of certifications.

Wait on the CEN until you get about 1-2 years (or more) of good solid experience.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 28, 2008

Get experience first then you will have the ability to determine what certifications are best for you. Many require a minimum of two years experience anyway.

mpccrn, BSN, RN · May 28, 2008

what dream world do you work in? money for certifications? i'm ACLS, and CCRN certifidied for 20 years now......never got a raise for either. they only help in your day to day practice and when looking for a new job, otherwise, they just make the hospital look good. sad but true....get use to it. many certifications are seen as part of the job description therefore require no extra money after having gotten them. :cry:

-MNC_RN- · May 29, 2008

Well, some hospitals do pay more for certifications. At mine, job-required certs are just that and don't garner more money (ACLS, TNCC, ENPC, etc.). However, for each professional certification (CCRN, CEN, etc.) there is a $500 bonus per year. I have co-workers who are CCRN, CEN, CFRN who basically get an extra paycheck of bonuses each year.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · May 30, 2008

what dream world do you work in? money for certifications? i'm ACLS, and CCRN certifidied for 20 years now......never got a raise for either. they only help in your day to day practice and when looking for a new job, otherwise, they just make the hospital look good. sad but true....get use to it. many certifications are seen as part of the job description therefore require no extra money after having gotten them.

Actually I work for a facility right now that pays more for TNCC and ENPC and in a push to get staff NRP certified, they also pay extra for that. A national certification such as a CEN will get you more money as well.

The max is $3.00 per hour. At 72 hours every 2 weeks x 26 paychecks - that comes about out to well over $5500 a year more in certification pay.

Flip side to this program, they don't pay a dime of your costs to attend class, the cost or registration, mileage, food or anything else related to the cost of the class. You are on your own AND if it's a scheduled day to work you either loose your time, take PTO or trade with someone.

Didn't say it was a perfect system but they do pay you extra for the certifications if you got 'em.

New facility doesn't pay extra for the certifications but I got a pretty good pay increase so it's all good.