ER Nurse Certifications

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Sep 12, 2013

For the CCRN, I think it depends on your ER. ER nurses can sit for the CCRN exam, but do you do have a lot of art lines/swanz caths? Usually, the invasive hemodynamics are left for ICU and we also do not get a lot of arts/swanz at my facility. The CCRN has a big emphasis on invasive hemodynamics and how to treat based on the numbers. That's not the entire exam, but just something to consider if you're thinking about sitting for it and you don't have a lot of experience with the invasive stuff. Would it be a good idea? Sure. I always think having the more knowledge, the better. I have my PCCN, but I had that before I made the switch to the ER. I could sit for the CCRN if I wanted to but I would rather sit for the CEN or ENPC.

Also consider the amount of experience you have. To sit for the CCRN, you need to have a certain number of hours working with acute/critically ill adults, which usually equates to working full-time for a year. For the CEN, there is no minimum requirement but the ENA recommends 2 years of ER nursing experience. I'm not entirely sure what the requirements are for the ENPC. For TNCC, most places require a minimum of 6 months ER or ICU experience, some may require a minimum of a year.

I don't think it matters what certifications you get first. TNCC and CCRN are two completely different exams, same with the CEN, ENPC, CPEN, PCCN...you cannot really compare them.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 12, 2013

Hello All,
I am looking into getting my TNCC/CCRN but I have heard its best to get one first then the other. What certifications do you have and did you get then in any particular order? Thank you for your help.

TNCC & ENPC are classes (which have a test at the end), similar in regard to ACLS, BLS. CCRN, CEN, CPEN are tests which literally just determine if you are a subject matter expert in your field. You don't need any experience to take the CEN, but most folks wait until they've been in the ER at least 2 years. CCRN requires a minimum number of actual experience at the bedside and as noted above, a lot of what you'll be questioned on is not seen in most ERs.

And TNCC is about managing a trauma pt in the ER while CCRN is about managing anything that might show up in the ICU. You might be thinking about the CEN which is specific to the ER. After 2 years I took ENPC (which is really about how not to use PALS) and then I took the CEN.

Disclaimer: not an ICU nurse, so my apologies if anything incorrect about CCRN.

floridaRN38 · Sep 12, 2013

TNCC is good to have if u r not working in a level one trauma facility. Because there r times when u get those trauma transfers. It's a good learning experience and only a two day course. I thoroughly enjoyed it

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Sep 13, 2013

After 2 years I took ENPC (which is really about how not to use PALS)

I haven't taken ENPC but I heard that, too... :lol2:

And TNCC would be good regardless of what trauma level your ER is. Sometimes the level III and IV trauma centers will still get traumas and you have to be able to stabilize the patient for transfer to higher level facility.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 13, 2013

Things like TNCC, ENPC, ACLS, PALS, etc., are typically two-day courses with certification at the end. CEN, CPEN, CCRN, etc., are board certifications and reflect expertise in an area of nursing. CEN and CPEN are ER-focused, the CCRN is ICU-focused.

RN-CEN TS · Oct 5, 2013

LunahRN is precisely correct. Certificates for tncc, enpc, acls, etc are for satisfactory course completion. Board certifications, CEN, CPEN, CCRN, etc, are specialized exams in which a nurse in those areas can test, and upon passing allow the nurse to be recognized as person of knowledge and resource for that specialty. Board certifications are the gold standard of academic excellence for each specialty. Also, board certifications are included as credentials after your name, following degree, and license. For passing courses such as tncc you do not receive a credential, it would be amusing however to see "Nurses Name, BSN, RN, BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC, NIH STROKE, ABLS" on someone's badge or scrub top.

And to answer your question, if you want to do CCRN or CEN I would start with the courses such as tncc prior to testing for a board certification. In my ED BLS, ACLS, PALS, ENPC, TNCC, ABLS, NIH STROKE SCALE are mandatory courses to complete prior to employment or with 6 months of employment, where CEN board certification is not required. There are only two other CEN's in my ED besides myself, which is a 32 bed ED with an MD emergency physician residency program.

Hope that helps and good luck.