Certifications

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jan 25, 2010

ACLS is for healthcare providers but not necessarily nurses. BCLS - do you mean BLS (another term for CPR)? If so, it is generally designed for licensed personnel (not necessarily nurses). RNC - gotta be an RN before you get the "C" (certified in particular field). Fetal monitoring - there are probably techs who help monitor them, but the RN needs to interpret and intervene.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2010

NRP

S.T.A.B.L.E.

Advanced Fetal Monitoring

IBCLC

Are you looking to try to get certified in some of these things in order to better your chances of getting into OB? In my experience, most places do not expect you to already have these certifications if you're new to OB, and will enroll you in these classes after you're hired (most of these certifications expire every two years, so most hospitals regularly hold these classes for their staff to recertify). The exception to that would be the IBCLC certification - IMO that would definitely give you a leg up, especially if you're applying for a mother/baby position.

As far as RNC - I believe you need to have at least 2 years of nursing before you can apply for it.

guiltysins · Jan 25, 2010

NRP
S.T.A.B.L.E.
Advanced Fetal Monitoring
IBCLC
Are you looking to try to get certified in some of these things in order to better your chances of getting into OB? In my experience, most places do not expect you to already have these certifications if you're new to OB, and will enroll you in these classes after you're hired (most of these certifications expire every two years, so most hospitals regularly hold these classes for their staff to recertify). The exception to that would be the IBCLC certification - IMO that would definitely give you a leg up, especially if you're applying for a mother/baby position.
As far as RNC - I believe you need to have at least 2 years of nursing before you can apply for it.

No I just wanted to know the different kind of certifications honestly lol and I didn't know whether or not the hospitals provided all of them for you. But I am looking to work in Mother/Baby so thank you!

silentRN · Jan 25, 2010

I work at a teaching hospital and the basics that all nurses have to have like BLS and ACLS are for free and get paid to attend. But, if I were to try to get a certification like CCRN, then would come out of my own pocket.

LoveANurse09 · Jan 25, 2010

I work at a teaching hospital and the basics that all nurses have to have like BLS and ACLS are for free and get paid to attend. But, if I were to try to get a certification like CCRN, then would come out of my own pocket.

Interesting the hospital I work at pays for this. I'm surprised they wouldn't provide for continuing education,we're a teaching hospital too!

silentRN · Jan 25, 2010

Interesting the hospital I work at pays for this. I'm surprised they wouldn't provide for continuing education,we're a teaching hospital too!

They used too, prior to the 2008 financial crash. We used to get the RN-BSN program paid for by the hospital, paid CE. Now, we get no raises, no paid education, and we have to pay for our CE ourselves. A MAGNET hospital, which does absolutely nothing for their RNs. There is no longer any incentives. Kind of sad

cjsbaskets · Jan 26, 2010

It is sad that hospitals are in such bad financial situations that they can not provide educational support for staff. But in my opinion professional nurses need to continue to increase knowledge and proficiency in their area of work. If it is financially possible do it for yourself and your patients. No one can take that knowledge from you and there is always something to learn.