Are too many certifications a bad thing?

Nurses Professionalism

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As a new RN grad I've been working hard at attaining all kinds of certifications and course completions. ACLS, PALS, ATLS, Rapid STEMI identification, Stroke assessment, with NRP, TNCC, and CCRN coming up soon. Thankfully as an echocardiographer I've convinced the hospital I work at to send me to all these classes on thier dime. But I'm not a staff RN here yet.

Does a med/surg hiring manager look at that and think "he'll jump ship and go to speciality critical care as soon as he can." Does that reduce my chances for a job?

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I would always hire the super smart rock star that I know will move on in two years over the mediocre nurse who will stay for 10+.

My first instinct was to "like" this post because part of me agrees with it. I am attracted to brilliance. However, don't understimate the value of dependability, constancy, loyalty, and staying power. "

Mediocre" is a wide range. If someone is really on the low end of mediocrity and has trouble learning, then I agree with you. I don't want to hire a "problem employee" no matter how long he/she might stay.

However ... someone who is "merely average," but who is capable of improving and planning to stay -- now that is someone I am interested in. We can teach the average person the skills they need to do a good job -- and if they are likely to stay in the job for a long time, they will turn out to be well-worth that investment in the long run. The superstar who doesn't stay is not worth the investment of his/her orientation. No matter how brilliant their potential, it does you little good when they have moved on to something else. You can't keep a unit staffed and open with a bunch of short-term superstars. You need the long-term average folks to serve as the foundation of your staff.

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Specializes in General Surgery.
My first instinct was to "like" this post because part of me agrees with it. I am attracted to brilliance. However, don't understimate the value of dependability, constancy, loyalty, and staying power. "

Mediocre" is a wide range. If someone is really on the low end of mediocrity and has trouble learning, then I agree with you. I don't want to hire a "problem employee" no matter how long he/she might stay.

However ... someone who is "merely average," but who is capable of improving and planning to stay -- now that is someone I am interested in. We can teach the average person the skills they need to do a good job -- and if they are likely to stay in the job for a long time, they will turn out to be well-worth that investment in the long run. The superstar who doesn't stay is not worth the investment of his/her orientation. No matter how brilliant their potential, it does you little good when they have moved on to something else. You can't keep a unit staffed and open with a bunch of short-term superstars. You need the long-term average folks to serve as the foundation of your staff.

Agreeable points.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Alright, maybe not sub-par. They did pass the NCLEX. I know I (and others) were better candidates. Their grades throughout the program indicated it. Also their coworkers who I know as well (as they were part of the "group") tell me they are not impressed with their progress. Hence, sub-exceptional.

No glorification on my part. I make it a point to be humble. I've made that mistake before.

You're not doing a very good job of it. Your posts remind me of the country song that goes, "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way..." Perhaps in interviews managers have picked up on your attitude.

Try to dial that back. You're going to work with people who are less skilled than you, but you're also going to be working with others who are far and away more knowledgeable and skilled than you.

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I'm going to have to disagree OCNRN. I haven't bragged about anything or said how great I was.

I look forward to making mistakes and learning from them. I look forward to not being the most skilled and educated person in the room. I also look forward to teaching others what I can.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

My reaction when you said m/s was too slow for you... :facepalm: and "I really hope that came out wrong." Don't ever, ever say that in an interview. NMs will not be as impressed as you are with yourself.

Then I read...

I hear you on the ICU. That's not a desire of mine either. Again, to slow. However it would be good experience for the ED.

And I come to the conclusion that you just have no clue what you don't know. You do realize that the ED is mostly not traumas and MIs, right? That people come to the ED for the runs? For coughs? Even saw a family come in w/ head lice?

My hospita's ED has five or six sections, plus psych. The big, TV-worthy, high-adrenaline stuff is sent to one specific section. Those nurses have to earn a place on that roster. No nurses who are brand new and excessively impressed with themselves.

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Specializes in CVICU.
CCRN actually requires only one year of acute care experience, not specifically critical care. So technically someone with only one year of med-surg would qualify.

It is the amount of hours…not years…of bedside care. The year criteria is so that you can show you are actively working as a bedside nurse.

And good luck explaining being a med/surg nurse if you are audited by the ACCN.

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Yes I am aware of what comes into the ED "Here I Stand". I spent two years triaging patients that walked in the door including slivers and runny noses.:facepalm:

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Yes I am aware of what comes into the ED "Here I Stand". I spent two years triaging patients that walked in the door including slivers and runny noses.:facepalm:

In your OP you said you are a new grad RN and are employed in a hospital, but not as an RN. Are you saying that you triaged patients in the ED as an EMT (which you say you are)?

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

CCRN and PCCN require experience. I believe PCCN is one year of tele and CCRN is two years ICU.

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HI, I have 1 semester left of nursing school and preparing to take the NCLEX soon thereafter (January-February 2016). Can you pass along any advice? It sounds like you are getting a good start with the certifications. Have you identified a mentor(s) yet who can offer advice based on their personal relationship with you? All the Best...MsPrettylocs

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In your OP you said you are a new grad RN and are employed in a hospital, but not as an RN. Are you saying that you triaged patients in the ED as an EMT (which you say you are)?

Yes, up here they hire EMT-B as ER Techs. An ER Tech does triage, CNA type stuff, CPR (compressors), assist with procedures, etc. It's an outstanding opportunity to assist in procedures and witness many clinical scenarios.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Gyn, Pospartum & Psych.

I have a friend from nursing school ... magna cum laude grad ... masters degree in finance and math along with many years in corporate world before he decided to become a nurse because it is something he had always wanted to be.

Anyway, he started his orientation to a oncology/med/surg floor. After 5 weeks, he was told "sorry, this just isn't working out...you are smart but don't work fast enough". I was surprised because most floors I know will invest a little more time to someone because at that point, the hospital has invested quite a bit of money into the training. Then I talked to people at a place we both work as contingents. These people didn't realize we were friends so I got the unedited version of their appraisal of him. He is known to be "arrogant" and "doesn't even know when he doesn't know anything". They even doubted the true things about his life. I know that when I have shared things like I also work as a contingent psych nurse while my main job is med/surg...people treat me funny. I haven't quite figure it out but I have learned to not talk about myself at work.

All that to suggest that you tone down your high opinion of yourself. You are a nurse with zero actual RN experience no matter how much experience you have in any other capacity. Be humble and take time to learn from those around you. Your certifications don't mean jack until you prove yourself on the floor as a nurse. The true test is can you treat the poor homeless patient with boring cellulitus, non-compliant diabetes management, and a non-diagnosed psychiatric issue with the same importance and respect as the "cool" automotive accident. Sometimes the most important activity a nurse does in look a patient in the eyes and says "I'm sorry that you feel so bad".

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