ER Certs for newbie in ER

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Specializes in ED RN, PEDS RN, IV NURSE.

Hi everyone!

Newbie in the ED here! So many questions, but I'll start with the ones that have been on my mind.

So blessed and happy to have this job and ready to excel and specialize in this field. That being said, looking for pointers on a few things.

First, I have my PALS and BLS.

I am obtaining my ACLS in less than 4 weeks. I want to obtain my CEN, CEPN, and TNCC.

I am also going to pay my dues and become a member of the ENA. All while I obtain my BSN online. This is all within my "year plan".

Anything else I should consider? Which one should I do first? I will obtain my CEPN last of all my certs since my ED doesn't specialize in pediatrics.

Thoughts?

Also, nothing to do with the certs,

How do you not let doctors run over you? A fellow at the ED told me "you'll do great, you just have to sass the doctors a little"...thoughts on this?

Finally,

What's the best advice you have to offer to a newbie in the ER? I get 12 weeks preceptorship FYI.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Most specialty certs require a certain amount of time and hours spent in s specialty before you can test for the cert. Check the guidelines and best of luck to you!

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Specializes in NICU.

How do you not let doctors run over you? A fellow at the ED told me "you'll do great, you just have to sass the doctors a little"...thoughts on this?

You don't let them run over you by earning their respect rather than sass. Once you have the knowledge and experience to strongly suggest alternative plan of action and be able to intelligently defend your position, they should start respecting your opinion and stop running over you. I had an ER doctor (in a previous job) that used to yell at ER staff until they had the backbone to stand up to him and defend why they did something. Once you proved that you knew what you are doing (to his standards) he left you alone.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

If you don't really take care of peds, I would forgo the CPEN, IMO. PALS and/or ENPC should suffice.

While there is no minimum requirement in obtaining your CEN, BCEN recommends working for at least 2 years as an ER RN before sitting for the exam. Just something to think about.

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Specializes in Urology.

You really should have at least 2 years prior to take the CEN. I know being new you want to put all those letters behind your name. Those credentials, while nice to have, do not determine the nurse. I've worked with many nurses who never took the specialty cert who were just awesome at their job! Eventually you'll get there, but part of working in the ED is enjoying the ride!

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Specializes in ED RN, PEDS RN, IV NURSE.

Thanks guys!

As PP states, I am anxious to get those creds behind my name. That being said I'm just going to get used to the ER first and go from there. The ED I work at requires a few different CBLs and classes, so I'm going to focus on those. Than work on my second degree.

I qualify for the CEPN as I had worked acute/urgent care for peds for nearly three years, so I thought it would be good to take since ultimately I thought I would like to go back to peds in the ED. However, since being in the adult (minimal peds) EDI think I am liking it way more...

That being said I am taking the advice , waiting it out and doing the other things to benefit me. Thanks for the advice! ☺️

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Specializes in Emergency.

Be able to rattle off lines from the princess bride, young frankenstein, seinfeld and the holy grail.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

I would calmly and intelligently stand my ground with the doctors. If you are unflappable, have a solid rationale for doing what you do, and are able to state that, you will win their respect. We don't have to like people's behavior but we don't have to be victims to it either.

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