NCC-LRN and new NCC-NIC. Do I let my LRN certification go?

[WifeMotherNurse]

I have had my NCC-LRN for over 10 years. I just found out I passed my NCC-NIC.  So my question is: Do I let my low risk certification go and just upkeep the more advanced NIC ?   I like the fact that I hold both certifications but I am not sure if it will do anything for me professionally.  My place of employment doesn't acknowledge either. I can be scheduled to work newborn nursery while a new grad with only an associates degree is scheduled NICU for the day.  That is all a whole other thread !

Also if I keep both certifications how do I write credentials when needed? I have a BSN the LRN as well as the NIC and I am a certified school nurse licensed by the Ohio dept of education as a CSN.               BSN,RN,RNC-NIC,RNC-LRN,CSN ??

That just seems like alot

[babyNP., APRN]

The upkeep probably isn't too bad since a lot of it will cross over, but can your employer pay for the certifications? You don't have to list all your titles out when signing your name. But if you want to keep just one, I would keep the RNC-NIC

[WifeMotherNurse]

I wasn’t sure if CEUs can be used for both certifications or if I have to earn separate for each.  My facility will pay for certification test and renewals but you must sign a 2 yr. commitment every time they reimburse for test or maintenance of certifications.

[babyNP., APRN]

that's a big commitment for a couple hundred dollars or less!

No, you can "earn" CEU that counts for both. I do that for my RNC-NIC and NNP-BC titles

[WifeMotherNurse]

I totally agree. I’m not committing just to have renewal fees Paid.   Using CEUs  for both was my main concern. And you answered that !   Thanks so much ?!

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

On 5/2/2021 at 11:19 PM, babyNP. said:

that's a big commitment for a couple hundred dollars or less!

No, you can "earn" CEU that counts for both. I do that for my RNC-NIC and NNP-BC titles

What makes you keep both? I wasn’t planning on renewing the RNC-NIC since it expires after I’ll obtain the NNP-BC. I figured that if I maintain the NNP-BC forever, even if I for some reason work as an RN, it’s still a magnet certification in itself. 

[WifeMotherNurse]

I’m not sure why I wanted keep both other than the dedication I gave to achieve both. But that was a question: Should I keep both?  Is it worth it? Does it mean anything to have both or does the RNC-NIC triumph the LRN ?. 

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

4 hours ago, WifeMotherNurse said:

I’m not sure why I wanted keep both other than the dedication I gave to achieve both. But that was a question: Should I keep both?  Is it worth it? Does it mean anything to have both or does the RNC-NIC triumph the LRN ?. 

I’m not familiar enough with LRN to answer. It may be preferred in a lower risk nursery IDK. 
 

I really was interested in babyNP’s decision because NNP-BC really does encompass RNC-NIC. 

[babyNP., APRN]

 

On 5/5/2021 at 2:39 PM, NICUmiiki said:

I’m not familiar enough with LRN to answer. It may be preferred in a lower risk nursery IDK. 
 

I really was interested in babyNP’s decision because NNP-BC really does encompass RNC-NIC. 

Sorry for the late response. I almost RNC-NIC go but then decided to give it one more 3 year cycle and since then my employer has paid for it as part of our CME $$ we get so I figured why not keep it? The maintenance is almost identical. I keep it now also since I run a small online business that helps nurses review for the RNC-NIC, LRN (low risk), ELBW, NNIC (neuro), and NNP exams. If I didn't have either factor going on and had to pay, I might consider dropping it. If you're unsure, I would recommend keeping it one more cycle and then considering when you get to it again in 3 years. 

But if you have LRN and NIC I would probably drop the LRN one.