Showing off my vent experience

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi AN people,

I have a lot of experience with ventilators and I would like to know the best way to emphasize that fact to future employers.

Is it enough that I put in my resume and applications that I have a lot of experience with ventilator-dependent patients or is there a credible, widely-known ventilator certification that employers will respect?

I know that some CEU companies and DME companies have ventilator courses but their certificates do not seem to carry much weight outside of a few long term care companies.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

If you're a nurse I don't think it matters. R/T does all the vents in the hospital regardless of your certification. It's nice to know and understand vent function but you're not asked to set it up.

If you're R/T then why ask nurses?

I do vent's on Critical Care transport but wouldn't put it on a resume. It's just a skill set. Not an occupation and certainly not something that will make/break a job interview.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I would just highlight that you have extensive experience with vent dependent patient, including ventilator troubleshooting, if that's the case.

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If the ad or announcement says something specific about vent experience, that is your cue to play up your abilities.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I would make statements such as "I have reached an expert level of knowledge in the use of (insert types of vents you are familiar with here), as well as being able to function as a resource to others who are not as comfortable around vents as I am"

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Thank you to everyone. Your input has been very helpful. I have decided not to pursue a certification and simply describe my experience with vents. :)

If you're a nurse I don't think it matters. R/T does all the vents in the hospital regardless of your certification. It's nice to know and understand vent function but you're not asked to set it up.

I have been told over and over again that plenty of nurses are squeamish about taking on patients on a ventilator, and that is why I needed to emphasize my vent experience. I did a clinical rotation in a DOU where only a handful of nurses took on vent patients. Not everyone was expected to or wanted to. So, if I end up working there, my vent experience is definitely an asset.

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