Opinions on renewing CCRN for NPs

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hey all!

I am currently in school for my ACNP and will graduate in August (hopefully!). My CCRN is due to be renewed in July and I was wondering if you all thought I should renew. I have the hours and CEUs to renew but I don't know if it is worth the time and money to pull all this stuff together. So I guess what I am asking is....Do you think a CCRN is helpful when looking for an NP position? Do potential employers look at this when you are an NP?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I have been renewing my CCRN even now that I'm an ACNP. It's not necessary or required but I've seen some job postings for critical care NP's where CCRN is a preferred qualification. On the other hand, there are many other jobs that ACNP's can do and these ones do not indicate a preference for CCRN.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks for the reply. I have mixed feelings. I am proud of my CCRN and hate to let it expire but I don't want to keep paying for it if it isn't doing me any good, if you know what I mean. I think I will renew this year and see what happens. I hope to work in the ICU so I don't think it can hurt to keep it up to date. I just wasn't sure if the hiring team for NP was even aware of what a CCRN meant.

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Good question. I keep my CNOR since some facilities require this for NPs to first assisst.

If you are working in a specilty area having certification in that area as a RN can not hurt, except for CE requirements and the $$$. My bias would be to keep it since holding onto it is harder than taking the exam again. I did let my CRN lapse and I keep thinking about retaking that exam. But I hate alphabet soup after a nurses name and never list all my credentials.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I was an ER RN before becoming a nephrology APN. I keep: BLS/ACLS instructor, ENPC instructor, ITLS (trauma cert), TNS (trauma nurse specialist - IL only), CEN all current.

You just never know.

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Specializes in FNP.

I'm glad you asked this. I am a new grad FNP, hoping for a hospitalist situation some day when I have enough experience. I have had a CCRN for 15 years, and it is time to renew. I have been torn. So I repeat the OPs question, only this time for a FNP. My real problem is going to be that I won't have the ICU practice hours to renew next time!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I just wasn't sure if the hiring team for NP was even aware of what a CCRN meant.

I've seen some physicians who recognize the letters and some who do not during an interview. The younger intensivists seem to be the ones who don't know what the letters mean. The jobs I've had are with a team of critical care NP's and the hiring process always involved an interview with the critical care NP group to see if I'm a good fit with the personalities in the group so naturally the CCRN issue is brought up, however, I actually don't use the letters at work (i.e., don't have it on my lab coat, don't write it on my signature) but I have it on my CV.

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