Just thinking...

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm thinking about finally taking a critical care course. I've been talking about it for many years.

I have a couple of options. Our hospital ever year or so offers a course, but you have to apply and quit your job and go into this course, then comitt to work for the hospital if they pay you while you go. That's o.k. because I'm not thinking of quitting the hospital, but I don't want leave the unit I just transferred to just yet. Plus, they have no idea when the next course will be.

Another option is our hospital acknowledges a local colleges continuing ed critical care course. Which meets once a week for four hours, over the course of 3 or 4 months. Total cost without text is only $120.00!

The last option, the one I'm most attracted to is online through the same college. Except it's part of the Nursing School BSN's program, which is college credit, thus much much more expensive and much more longer. I've taken college level courses here before and can get right in.

First it starts with a ECG course, the Progressive Care, then Critical Care. Lost of CEUs and college credit hours to boot and all online. It gives you a "certificate of Critical Care Nursing" or something like that. I won't have to go to classes and I can work through the night on days off.

Anyone have any opinions? Anyone do any online critical care courses.

I am starting my critical care certificate in September in Alberta. My hospital is paying my wages...paying for the course....paying for the hotel (since it's a long way from my home)....meals....transportation etc. Plus....when I return I start in the ICU where I signed an agreement to stay there for one year. In my situation....its a win-win deal for both employer and employee. Initially it was posted as a "Developmental Opportunity" with the final step being a position in the ICU. They conducted it the same way they would for a position on any of the wards.....resume.....interview...selection...etc. I am looking forward to starting and can see the next 16 weeks of my life just flying by!!!!

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Good for you, ThirdShiftGuy. Good luck, and enjoy.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Vascular & Healing Touch.

Do It!! You'll not be sorry! I love critical care & I teach it also....Never boring! :D

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Originally posted by healingtouchRN

Do It!! You'll not be sorry! I love critical care & I teach it also....Never boring! :D

Cool! Thanks, now I know who to PM when I need help. LOL

I won't have to write any papers will I? I have a tremendous fear and loathing of papers.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Originally posted by Laurynn

I am starting my critical care certificate in September in Alberta. My hospital is paying my wages...paying for the course....paying for the hotel (since it's a long way from my home)....meals....transportation etc. Plus....when I return I start in the ICU where I signed an agreement to stay there for one year. In my situation....its a win-win deal for both employer and employee. Initially it was posted as a "Developmental Opportunity" with the final step being a position in the ICU. They conducted it the same way they would for a position on any of the wards.....resume.....interview...selection...etc. I am looking forward to starting and can see the next 16 weeks of my life just flying by!!!!

That is so awesome. Good luck to you!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Originally posted by hobbes

Hey, do you mind posting the URL to the program you registered for. I'd be interested in checking it out myself. Thanx.

http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/degrees/index.shtml#credit

Follow the link, "certificates - credit".

Here's the link Chris. It's part of St. Petersburg College, which I'm in their system because I've taken a few courses there when I was thinking about getting a BSN. It's part of the Nursing Cirriculum there, but you don't have to be a student in the nursing program, but you do have to already be an RN or LPN. It's a hassle to register because you they have to look up your license first before you can get in, but that took one email to the director, I actually looked myself up online and sent her the link.

But you do have to fill out an application and become a student pf the college, so I'm not sure if the fees are higher for an out of state student. But it's a community college and so the rates are quite reasonable IMHO.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Vascular & Healing Touch.

My students are hands-on, in the clinical site @ an urban hopsital (where I am employeed FT). No papers! Just preparation for clients.

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