Crtitical care certification class?

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

What exactly are you talking about? If you received a position in the ICU, the hospital should give you a proper orientation of the ICU if you don't have experience.

If you're talking about a critical care certification, such as CCRN, you aren't eligible to sit for that exam until you have around 1 year of FT experience and review classes for that will do you little good when you have no bedside experience in an ICU.

sunnycalifRN · Dec 2, 2009

To the OP, are you talking about the California School of Health Sciences Critical Care Certification course? You don't need this, keep your $600. This is just a critical care review course that uses the AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursings as a textbook. The "critical care certification" is bogus and will not be recognized by your employer. However, the book is a good resource if you want to buy it. But, as RENO1978 said, your hospital should be providing you with an ICU orientation.

dina123 · Dec 2, 2009

I know guys, that is what i am talking about...supposed to be provided by the hospital itself, i do not want to name the hospital but this one do not offer CC course class. I am newgrad RN. I don't know if i am fortunate to get this job, my ideal work place has always been ICU so i did talk about my ICU phlebotomist expereince to them during interview probably, they might be impressed and want to put me to the unit. But they clearly said that i need to take a course which will take 8 weeks and it is only once a week class. They couldn't remember the name where their previous employee had done it. Now, here i am looking to get one on my own and am confused where and how to get this class. I can work and still go to class along with it as they say but i need this certificate since i AM NEW ICU nurse. I had number of expereinces in hospital but not as an RN.

Friends help me out, i did think about the $600 course as well that was the only thing i could find in google, thank you dear you for telling me it is bogus....

i may want to call the HR person if she can recommend any place for me....right?

Thank you both of you for kind reply...I appreciate it.

If you get more infos on this one please do reply me.......

take care

sunnycalifRN · Dec 3, 2009

Well, maybe "bogus" was a little harsh. What I meant is, this California School of Health Sciences is claiming to give you a "certification" in critical care but the only valid certification in critical care that I know of is the CCRN which is issued by the AACN. So, I question the value of this school's certification.

However, if the hospital that hired you into ICU considers this course as adequate, then I guess you might as well take it. I'm concerned about your entry into ICU. The 9 day review course cannot replace a 90 day "precepted" orientation period in the ICU. Yes, you should definitely contact HR and find out what course they recommend. Maybe they want you to take this course while you are doing your orientation in the ICU. That would be okay.

sisters29 · Dec 3, 2009

Im not sure if all BON'S do this, but my BON has a link on their web site that lists different certifications for nurses and where to get them. Maybe you could check on your BON web site, if you haven't already.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2009

I simply cannot imagine a hospital hiring a new grad into the ICU and requiring them to take a critical care course on their own time. That is what it sounds like from the way you're explaining it....that you're not going to get oriented to the ICU by your employer. They must provide an orientation to the ICU for new staff including classroom and clinical time. If they don't, they're putting patient safety at risk.

I think you're missing something here...Or I'm misunderstanding something you're saying.

dina123 · Dec 5, 2009

Hi friends thank you so much....for all of your replies...

I sure will check into that BON websites. I do appreciate each one of you the ideas, advices, and concerns.

About the orientation and training classes...they have said tht they will train me in ICU. I do already have my nurse name who am i going to work with for another 12 weeks. Plus, i had done 8 weeks of 12 hours shifts with my preceptor in cardiopulmonary floor during our last semester (stong expereince). They have said that certification class can go along with the intern in ICU. But the fact is, i need to have that certificate.

They are also working in finding one; i contacted them and discussed. I will know by this week or on the day of my orientation.

Once again, thank you so much...for everything...

take care and have fun