New Nurse..just wondering....

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Dec 5, 2007

Probably doesn't hurt to put in some applications, but also look into renewing your CPR right away so that you have everything in place if you get an interview and/or job offer. CPR courses are pretty easy for most people to access these days. Check out this link for courses in your area:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3012360

AprilRNhere · Dec 5, 2007

I'd put out resume's and wait to get recertified. I paid for my recert...and planned to take the class my second day of orientation at my new (current) job. HR was shocked...told me to cancel it...as not only did they charge half as much for the class for outsiders...but they covered full expense for employees. I was orienting with 5 other nurses..and I was the only one current with CPR. They sent all 6 of us to class.

kaydrian · Dec 5, 2007

Thank you for your input. So I could work even though my license hasn't arrived in the mail yet. I just sent to money and the papers.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2007

All of my past and present workplaces have offered the CPR class for free, or at a deep discount. My full time job offered it for $5 last year, and my part-time job offered it for free while paying me for the day. Of course, I opted to take the CPR class at the place of employment that held it for free.

Many workplaces will invest the time and money into getting you CPR-certified.

Fiona59 · Dec 5, 2007

It might depend on where you live. I know that if our CPR cert is out of date by more than 90 days we have to redo the whole course, not just take the refresher. I've known a nurse who had his shifts cancelled because he kept putting off the class.

Our human resources crew won't hire you if it's out of date. They will give you the course for free every year irregardless of your hire date. So, if you got hired today and your one year was up next month, you'd be on the course first available chance.

LPN4U · Dec 6, 2007

My job required me to have my BCLS in place of the normal CPR class. They paid for the class and I got paid to be there. On top of that we had a christmas give-away today, were the provided free lunch a complete entre and cake LOL can't beat that.

karen2 · Dec 6, 2007

It might depend on where you live. I know that if our CPR cert is out of date by more than 90 days we have to redo the whole course, not just take the refresher. I've known a nurse who had his shifts cancelled because he kept putting off the class.
Our human resources crew won't hire you if it's out of date. They will give you the course for free every year irregardless of your hire date. So, if you got hired today and your one year was up next month, you'd be on the course first available chance.

I agree that it depends on where you live. Most job ads where I live are asking for current CPR certification as well as pharm and infusion certifications.