new graduate nurse taking TNCC ?

Published

Hi guys,

I just passed NCLEX and right now I cannot get a job since my visa was delayed due to the gov. shut down... so I am thinking of doing TNCC. I'm new to this area (finally moved from NCLEX discussion forum) and hopefully I can get some help here.

I'm a new graduate nurse with no experience.. (I've got ACLS, PALS) Will I be eligible to take TNCC? (I know most of them require 6 mo experience in ER/ICU). Also, is CEN something I can study as well or critical care experience is a must? Thank you! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would look into joining the ENA, emergency nurses association, They have some study resources,

and their ENA journal has practive CEN questions.

I have taken the CEN twice, the first time i did not study for it and barely passed it,

Second time around I studied for 3 months and did much better high 80's,

I would focus on on Respiratory and Cardio systems heavily,

I can go over the tox section questions if you like.

on a side note, some questions come from the book, but some questions

are answered from experience, i beileve their is a 2yr requirement before

taking the CEN. Not sure about TNCC.

hope this helps some.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Although the BCEN recommends two years nursing experience in the emergency department prior to sitting for the CEN, the only requirement is to hold a current unrestricted RN license.

The ENA recommends six months nursing experience in the emergency department, this is a recommendation only.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

TNCC would probably be more beneficial at this point. CEN certification without working in an ED doesn't carry much weight, in my opinion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you guys for your input! I will look into that. Question on ENA: I am an NSNA member still, and I don't know if I can still join the ENA with the special NSNA member rate, or I need to pay $100 since I am an RN now,.. no longer a nursing student. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

In my opinion there is no point to having a CEN without any actual ER nursing experience. But heck you don't have to impress me to get a job anyway.

TNCC, however, is not a bad idea to have. Once you get hired though most places will pay for you to obtain that certification. Those things aren't that cheap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

You can definitely handle TNCC as a new grad. I took TNCC during my final semester of nursing school. You can't certify officially until you've passed boards, so I "audited" the class, but I took both the written and practical tests, and passed both easily. It's a totally doable class, and was REALLY enjoyable. In fact, it was one of the things that got me through that final semester. I was SO bogged down by all the stuff in school that I really couldn't care less about. I had lost the JOY of learning. Learning something I was passionate about reminded me how much fun learning really is.

As far as CEN goes, definitely don't do that one yet. I took a CEN Review course in Vegas during my final semester of school as well, just because it sounded interesting. I had worked as an EMT in a busy trauma center for over a year when I took the course and figured that would be good enough, it'd be easy. It wasn't easy! The course was fabulous, and I learned a TON, but mostly, I learned that I didn't know enough! I haven't taken the actual exam yet, but I can definitely say it was a lot more involved than TNCC.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you guys for your input! I will look into that. Question on ENA: I am an NSNA member still, and I don't know if I can still join the ENA with the special NSNA member rate, or I need to pay $100 since I am an RN now,.. no longer a nursing student. Thanks!

I joined as an RN with my NSNA membership number. I think the membership is only good for 1 year though and you might not be eligible for discounts on TNCC/ENPC or CEN since it's a "student" membership.

I went with the student option for now, and then will pay the RN fee in another year when my membership is due for renewal because that's when I'm going to be looking to take those courses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, Pusheen. I am a new grad RN as well and recently took TNCC six months after passing the NCLEX. I thought TNCC was an excellent course and would recommend taking it if you plan on working in the ED. I was a little nervous on day one when I found out I was only one in the class taking TNCC for the first time and the other fifteen people were there to renew TNCC! lol. It's very basic and general knowledge we should all know. Best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

TNCC is a great class, as a new grad I think it's a fantastic idea to take. It will give you a process and some rationale to put behind your practice in the ED with trauma patients. The book that is used for the course is more than sufficient enough to use as study material. I found it to be pretty through.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I graduated in May, started in the ER in August, and just took TNCC last week. It was WONDERFUL! And, since I just had disaster nursing my last semester of nursing school, all of the information was still fresh and I did better than nurses who had been nurses for a decade! That made me feel good!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

can anyone take the TNCC class? or do we need ED/ICU experience?

also, how much is it usually?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion