How does your unit incentivize obtaining your NICU certification (RNC-NIC)?

[jdubs99]

Hi all! I am curious how different units incentivize their nurses to obtain a certification in their specialty. Posting in NICU because that is my own specialty, but really curious to hear from all units. My former unit would increase your annual allowance from $500 to $1000 to spend on CEUs, whereas my current unit gives us a small raise once you pass your exam (about $40/pay period or approx 50cents per hour).

What does your unit do? How does your staff respond to it? Do many nurses on your floor have their RNC?

Thanks in advance! :)

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Reimburse for the exam fee. That's it, no other incentive. Obviously, not much motivation to get certified except for a green "Certified RN" badge plate instead of the white "RN".

[prmenrs, RN]

We got reimbursed for the fee if we applied, but then we got a differential for certification. Don't know what it is now, but a few years ago, it was $100. Probably more now. Union negotiated it.

[jdubs99]

Thank you, prmenrs. Was the $100 per pay period, per month, etc.?

I think our differential is union negotiated as well, but I'm not 100% sure.

[jdubs99]

No other incentive, I agree. I'm trying to figure out a solution that would make more people want to get it (other than their own intrinsic motivation to). Thanks for replying!

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Last job (non-union): Incentive was $1000/year bonus for 0.9 FTE. Everyone was eligible for $300/year toward professional development (including exam fees, CEUs).

Current job (union): Incentive is $1/hr (so ~ $2,000 per year if 0.9 FTE). We get $300/year toward CEUs from the hospital and $300/year toward certification fees from the union. Since the union fund renews annually, some nurses have both their RNC and their CCRN. Not too shabby. At my current job, maybe 1/3 of the eligible staff are certified (but we have many who are ineligible with

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I forgot to add that my current unit pays for our about 30 staff to attend an annual RNC certification review course, with a condition that participants will earn their RNC within a year of taking the course (although there isn't any penalty if they don't get certified). It's a great incentive. Most of us would never have the ability to attend the course otherwise (it's about $400 per participant), and the degree of preparation is invaluable. There's also an added degree of accountability when you commit to taking the test within the year. I don't know if this option is financially feasible for every unit, but I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity.

[MGMR]

My hospital will reimburse your exam fee, and then you get a $2000/year bonus put into your normal paycheck in December.

[prmenrs, RN]

Thank you, prmenrs. Was the $100 per pay period, per month, etc.?

I think our differential is union negotiated as well, but I'm not 100% sure.

I think we got it on the 1st pay check of the month--they paid us biweekly.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Our unit reimburses you for the testing fee then gives you a $500 bonus (with tax taken out). When you renew every 3 years, they give you a $250 bonus which kind of covers all the CE you have to pay for. We use RNC-NIC through NCC. As some may know, they "require" 50 CE every 3 years but give you credit for 5 when you take your knowledge assessment. Then depending on how you score, you may only need to get another 15 CE so $250 has generally covered all the CE I've needed to get on renewal. Sadly we don't get an hourly bonus. When I worked in the adult world at my first hospital (1993-1998) they would give you 25 cents/hour.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Once upon a time we were told we had a year to do it ,no extra pay or exam fees offered.Over the years through contract negotiations via our union and studies backing us up saying this was a good thing, they now pay 2200 extra/year,pay for exam fee if you pass.

[champagnesupeRNova]

$350 one-time bonus. Exam fees and certification review class paid for.