I'm a new ACNP practicing in neurocritical care. I've got a CCRN, CSC (cardiac surgery certification) and CEN (certified emergency nurse) as well. My CSC is up for renewal at the end of this year. Is it worth maintaining these certifications (I'm still eligible for all of them) now that I'm an NP? I don't currently practice in emergency or cardiac surgery, but I have interests in both those areas and would consider going back to them in the future. I easily qualify for renewal with my CEs, but just don't know if it's worth the cost. Thanks,bryan
Trauma Columnist traumaRUs, MSN, APRN 165 Articles; 21,214 Posts Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU. Has 31 years experience. Oct 3, 2016 Hmm...I've kept all my certs up even though I'm 10 years down the road in nephrology. I still keep my CEN, ACLS, PALS, etc...
Salter444 64 Posts Oct 3, 2016 I have kept mine and every time i renew i wonder why the heck am I keeping them. I let my PALS expire but nothing else...
NeuroNP 352 Posts Has 10 years experience. Oct 3, 2016 I'll keep my ACLS, PALS went by the wayside a few years ago, I don't see kids. Do you still practice Emergency? (traumaRUs...) the certifications I'm talking about are in areas where I'm not currently practicing. I was wondering if keeping them was worth the cost just to look good on a CV in case I go back to those areas at some point.
PG2018 1,413 Posts Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry. Oct 3, 2016 Why?Those are for RNs. You're a NP now. Step up.
allnurses Guide llg, PhD, RN 13,469 Posts Specializes in Nursing Professional Development. Has 46 years experience. Oct 3, 2016 Don't those certs require that you work a certain number of hours in the specialty for renewal? They should.
NeuroNP 352 Posts Has 10 years experience. Oct 3, 2016 They require a certain number within the past x years, which I meet because I'm a new NP.
babyNP., APRN 1,921 Posts Specializes in NICU. Has 15 years experience. Oct 4, 2016 I renewed my RNC when I just got my NNP certification (the equivalent of CCRN) but think I'll let it expire next time around. I have no desire to work as a NICU nurse again having worked as a NNP and I don't see the point of having it- my board certification and RNC come from the same organization and clearly the NNP one is higher. I think I actually posted a thread about this a long time ago and the general consensus was that many people liked to keep it "just in case." Dunno what the "in case" was for edit: Here's the thread: https://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/did-you-keep-962929.html
Trauma Columnist traumaRUs, MSN, APRN 165 Articles; 21,214 Posts Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU. Has 31 years experience. Oct 4, 2016 Yeah I volunteer as a pre-hospital RN on my rural fire dept so CEN, TNS (Trauma Nurse Specialist (IL-specific cert), etc., are all required. However, I want to keep my options open too....even after 10 years (and I'm 10 years older) I still miss the ER. I have this bizarre thought that I might return to the ER...not probable but still can't quite give up the dream either....
