NRP?

[Tinker Bell RN]

Just curious what the veteran L&D RNs and/or managers think about getting NRP certification (or any other certifications really) before you actually work in the speciality. Is it necessary? Helpful? Does it make you stand out? I vaguely remember someone saying it's not as helpful until you're actually working in the field, or something along those lines, I can't remember. Would love to know your thoughts!

[klone, MSN, RN]

IMO, it's not helpful or necessary. First, unless you can actually USE it, you will lose it. Which is why they require recert q 2 years as well as mock codes. Needing to send their nurses to NRP class/recert is something that is expected by the managers for all staff, so there are usually annual classes offered - so a nurse manager is already expecting that they will have to send you to class at some point. They will not expect you to have the certification already, and I would say that it is not really going to give you a leg up. Better would be if you interview well and have good experience elsewhere.

[RNMSN51]

If you want to work in ob, many places ARE requiring that you have NRP along with BLS before you are hired. They now treat it the same as requiring BLS before you are allowed to work on your own time and expense.

[Tinker Bell RN]

Thank you to both. Klone I agree with you but wasn't sure if I was thinking on the right track or not.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

That's interesting. None of the hospitals here are requiring it. It is part of orientation.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Where I am they give you a certain amount of time in which to get your NRP cert. They don't expect you to have it when you're interviewing unless you've already worked in the specialty (which you have not according to your post).

Klone is right....if you don't use it you will lose it. And honestly, if I had taken it before working in OB - even being a nurse - it would have made almost no sense anyway because I'd have had no frame of reference. If I were you I would wait.