New grad being asked for Specialty Certifications

[ilovenursing2009]

Hello!

I am a new grad applying to UCSD Medical center for their new grad program. They are having me fill out a questionnaire and want to know what specialty certifications I have.

What exactly are they wanting?

I never even heard of such a thing for a new grad; I feel like an idiot. To get a job here you really have to have something extra because the competition is so brutal. I hope that this doesn't get my application thrown in the garbage!!

Thanks! :typing

[GuatericanNurse]

i have never heard of something like that...maybe its because of the location you are in. I am in Boston, so I don't know if it differs depending on which region you are in. Maybe they want to know if you are....CPR certified? Or maybe they want to know if you have like PALS certification. I am certified giving Small Pox certification (yes, random, I know...lol) But yeah...thats all I can think of. GOOD LUCK!

[Diaper, RN]

I think it'd be a good idea to get PALS and ACLS. When I was a volunteer at the American Red Cross, I took a class in the CPR instructor training course and the hospital considers it as a specialty certification.

If I were you, I'll take ACLS and PALS so it can make urself more competitive :)

[ilovenursing2009]

I think it'd be a good idea to get PALS and ACLS. When I was a volunteer at the American Red Cross, I took a class in the CPR instructor training course and the hospital considers it as a specialty certification.

If I were you, I'll take ACLS and PALS so it can make urself more competitive :)

Good idea! I am going to look into that!

Thanks

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I agree with all the above, and also think it's possible they just adapted an application they have for all nurses seeking employment, maybe even using cut and paste to put "New Grad Application" at the top. Such a thing would ask for certifications.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

A speciality certification is one in which you can be ceritified in a certain area of nursing..and you must meet all the qualifications of the credential. and can not use the credential unless you meet the qualifications..for example I am a CRNI.....which stands for certified nurse intravenous...there are many......CEN is certified emergency nurse.....CCRN is certified critical care nurse......OCN is oncolocy certified nurse.....there are several different credentialing agencies...but most function in similar ways.....take a really hard test...pass...re-certify every 3 yrs..by test or by special CEUs...and it can be a bit expensive...my test costs me about 500.00 dollars .....Also to even sit for most tests you have to have validation that you have worked so many hours in that speciality area.....so as a new grad...that is unrealistic......the certification denotes expertise in your speciality....so you see how can you be an "expert" without the actual practice part.

[Trishalishus, PhD, CNS]

I come from another country, so this might be rubbish, but, given what the USAmerican nurses have said so far, what about other qualifications you might have - e/g black belt in karate (might come in handy in ED or Psych wards to protect yourself/co-workers etc?? Just a thought...

[Diaper, RN]

In addition to what I said earlier, I know that many new grads program categorize the potential applicants based on their scores. So if you have more certificates such as ACLS, PALS, higher education such as BSN, MSN and volunteer experiences, you'll receive higher scores.

After they picked you as a potential applicants, the Human Resource might call you to give you a phone interview. (The HR lady called me when I was shopping in a mall). After the phone interview, they'll submit the applications to the unit manager and they'll call you for another round of interview.

If you want further information about interview tips and questions, plys do not hesistate to email me. (I think there's an email icon at the message).

Good Luck