How to get specialty certification

HI there,

There are a variety of certifications available out there, first you must decide what area you want to work in and then have gain considerable in that field. Some certs require a minimum timeframe of having practiced. For me every time I've been doing something that I thought about certification I've moved onto something else. Did Oncology for 5 years wanted to certify but got burned out(CON), did ER for 8 yrs in 2 seperate states and each time something came up(moving, new job, etc otherwise I would have my CEN), and there is always CCRN for critical care/ICU type nursing too. THere are study guides available not to mention some courses you can take, plus the tests aren't cheap either. Hope this helps....flaerman:)

You have to work in that specialty for 2 years full-time before you can even apply for certification so relax you've got plenty of time.

Thanks for all the information. That helps to know what to expect. (I will probably change my mind a few times while in clinicals, but so far, CCU is what I am drawn to.

Thanks!! Tracey

Wow didn't realize you needed years in order to get certifications. I was hoping that once I finished my bsn while working I would work part time towards a certification. Boy oh boy.

You have to work two years before gaining a certification in any type of nursing specialty?

I've never heard of this before.

Can anyone confirm if this is really true?

According to a large number of posters here whom were once new grads-- they completed their certifications right out of RN school!

You have to work two years before gaining a certification in any type of nursing specialty?

I've never heard of this before.

Can anyone confirm if this is really true?

According to a large number of posters here whom were once new grads-- they completed their certifications right out of RN school!

Click on any of the links under 'Specialties' and you'll be able to see eligibility requirements, most of which include two years as a practicing RN.

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification.aspx#specialty

Yes you have to have 2 years experience (I think it is so many hours). This for the ANCC (which may have a new name by now lol I can never keep up even though I have 2 lol) certifications. You can be certified in CPR, NRP, PALS, ACLS, things like that, but the area specific ones like neonatal, postpartum, cardiac, etc are a minimum of 2 years experience.

two years is pretty standard. one of my certifications required 5 years work in the field, and a number of other things. another required two years working under another nurse certified in the same field. another required completion of an 80-hour course. each then required a 4-6 hour examination, and to keep them current i have to do 60 hours of continuing education in the field every two to five years. fortunately, some of the ceus overlap so i can apply them to recerts in more than one.

see, certification in a specialty isn't like one more learning lab check-off . it's to demonstrate expertise in a field, and there's no way a new grad is gonna do that right out of the gate.

also, make sure the "certification" you take is really worth something. you can get "certified" by almost anybody, but the certifications recognized by ancc or other credentialling authority have proven that their standards are rigorous, are based on a comprehensive role and function study, and their exams are psychometrically sound. i'm working on something like this now, and it is hard (and very expensive) to get your organization's certification recognized by ancc. check that out before you lay out good money on a program or certification.