Difference between RN-BC and PCCN

Specialties CCU

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Hi all,

I work on a progressive care unit. The nurse manager encourages everyone to get PCCN certified when we meet the requirements. While looking into certification I also noticed one for cardiac vascular RN-BC. What's the difference between the two? Is one better than the other? TIA!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Cardiac-vascular RN-BC is geared to anyone working in cardiovascular nursing, regardless of unit and whether or not it is critical care. PCCN is specific to those nurses working in progressive care units-

Progressive care is the term used by AACN to collectively describe areas in which acutely ill patients are cared for, such as intermediate care units, direct observation units, step-down units, telemetry units, transitional care units and emergency departments, as well as to define a specific level of patient care. AACN recognizes progressive care as part of the continuum of critical care.

It looks like your manager is encouraging PCCN because it is more specific to your area of care. However, that doesn't mean you can't earn both certifications.

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Thank you! That clarifies things so much for me 😃

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