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! :)

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

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

The unit where I work will also sponsor a few nurses every year for the RNC review course. It's not a consistent number, but most people who want to get in can.

[BeccaznRN, RN]

I'm unsure if they pay for the initial cert since I already had the RNC when I was hired to my current unit, but I get an extra $1.35 per hour for having it.

[BNE103]

Our health system reimburses for the exam fee once you pass, sponsors nurses to attend a review course, and there's an annual celebration dinner for all certified nurses. On our unit, our manager offers a one-month "no float pass" for all RNs newly certified and who renew their certifications - you pick a month where you are not allowed to be floated to work on another unit. :)

[jdubs99]

Thank you all for the responses so far.

My follow-up question is, aside from what your unit may offer you, what made/makes you want to get your certification? I got mine after 3 years of NICU nursing because that was my goal when I became a new grad; I wanted to prove to myself that I was competent in my discipline and I wanted to commit to the specialty. What about you?

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Thank you all for the responses so far.

My follow-up question is, aside from what your unit may offer you, what made/makes you want to get your certification? I got mine after 3 years of NICU nursing because that was my goal when I became a new grad; I wanted to prove to myself that I was competent in my discipline and I wanted to commit to the specialty. What about you?

I was getting my BSN and my college at the time (Excelsior) and I needed at least 3 credits of an elective. One of the options was to get my professional certification. Considering that regular courses cost $300+ per credit hour (so $900 to take a 3 credit course), paying only $300 all total was a bargain and I came away with my certification.

[allstressedout1]

They don't. We pay for the continuing education. We pay for the maintenance, we do it on our time. We used to get critical care pay, later a yearly bonus instead, then nothing. We are advised to let patients know how much experience we have and if we are certified.

[Our.Inn]

Our managers really want more people to take the test, but the only incentive offered is to reimburse the exam fee, and they will only do that if you pass. At most we have 10 people out of 140 who are certified. I think part of the problem is the way the managers try to encourage people to take the test. They seem much more interested in being able to advertise numbers vs. wanting each of us to challenge and educate ourselves.

[BeccaznRN, RN]

Thank you all for the responses so far.

My follow-up question is, aside from what your unit may offer you, what made/makes you want to get your certification? I got mine after 3 years of NICU nursing because that was my goal when I became a new grad; I wanted to prove to myself that I was competent in my discipline and I wanted to commit to the specialty. What about you?

I also had the certification as a professional goal. I enjoy staying current in NICU nursing practice and the certification ensures that I do just that through required CEUs. I regularly attend educational conferences for the same reasons. The extra $1.35/hr. (an extra $2500 per year for my full-time hours) more than pays for my continuing education.

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

I am an agency nurse working NICU but the facility I previously worked at as a staff nurse gave you a bonus each year for maintaining your certifications.