Job hunting tough as new grad. Med surg certification?

dienne · Oct 22, 2011

I think you need to have 1 or 2 years of work experience before you can take any kind of certification. I just started on a telemetry unit 2 months ago as a new grad and they told me that I can take the certification in about 2 years. My understanding is that the test is based on clinical experience that's why you need to be a working RN.....

slowrunner · Oct 23, 2011

I agree with dienne. how can one be certified in something that they have no experience in? Keep you head up and be persistent. I was applying for 1 1/2 years before I got an offer for a new grad position.

0402 · Oct 23, 2011

Medical-Surgical Nursing Eligibility Criteria

This is a Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Credential Awarded: RN-BC (Registered Nurse—Board Certified)

Eligibility Criteria

All requirements must be completed prior to application for the examination.

Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country

Have practiced the equivalent of two years full time as a registered nurse

Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the specialty area of medical-surgical nursing within the last three years

Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in medical-surgical nursing within the last three years

This is from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/MedSurg-Eligibility.aspx.

You're not eligible.