Helpful Certifications???

[<3 RN <3]

I'm a new nurse dreaming of a career in Women's Services - Antepartum, L&D, Postpartum, Newborn Nursery, NICU, ect.

I will be getting NRP certified soon :) Are there ANY other certifications or anything else that would help???

Thanks for any advice

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

EFM, lactation, join AWHONN, become a doula...there is lots you can do to boost your resume!

[OhmyimgoingtobeaRN]

Can you give the websites for awhonn

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

http://www.awhonn.org

[<3 RN <3]

Ooo! Do you have any info on how to become a doula!? I never thought of that and I would LOVE it! :heartbeat I am going to become a member of AWHONN and looking up the other certifications/classes now.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

doula info: http://www.dona.org/

http://www.birthrootsdoulas.com/how-to-become-a-doula.php

lactation counseling/consultant:

http://www.iblce.org/

http://www.healthychildren.cc/ (there is a link for the pdf of the fall training flier)--this is the one I did

http://www.leron-line.com/courses.htm

if interested in becoming a childbirth educator: http://www.alace.org/education

[ReallyNow]

I have taken a Doula certification program...you can chose between ALACE or DONA, those are basically the only two programs I know of. The requirements consist of a weekend seminar, alot of reading, attending six births with recommendations from a nurse/OB/Midwife that was also at the births, writing an essay and probably a few other things I am not thinking of, like auditing a childbirth class, etc. Once you have completed all of this and received your certification, you can then market yourself as a professionally trained DOULA for hire. Depending on you area this may be a nice way to supplement your income. The time frame for completion I believe is one year. Hope that helps!

[HazeKomp, BSN, RN]

S.T.A.B.L.E certification would be good. renew every 2 years, just like BLS & NRP.

ACLS is essential in L&D, as required for post-anesthesia (C-sections) recovery care.

Basic, Intermediate & Advanced Fetal Monitoring certification by AWHONN, essential to antepartum and L&D.

Obtain your RNC in a few years! Looks nice on a resume, and even might get you an extra dime or two in some parts of the country!

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

O_o This is awesome information. I never even thought to get certifications as a lactation consultant or a doula. Thanks alot for this info! Its much appreciated!

[<3 RN <3]

Thank y'all so much, this has been really helpful! I will have to take it one certification at a time, but definetely looking forward to improving my resume :nmbrn:

LOL

[xandarosa]

I'm looking in to becoming a NICU or L&D nurse. I was looking at getting the Basic, Intermediate & Advanced Fetal Monitoring certification by AWHONN, but the website is saying that you should have at least 6 months experience in L&D before taking this class. Should I take the class anyway?

[HazeKomp, BSN, RN]

Take the basic Fetal Monitoring certification by AWHONN now.

Take the Intermediate after 6-12 months in L&D...

Take the Advanced after 1-2 years in L&D.

Advanced is very pathophysiologically based information...

taking it too soon might be very frustrating!