PHRN certifican valuable in the ED

happyinillinois · Mar 22, 2013

I currently work in the ED and have been there for 2 years. I am about to sit for my CEN. I see the value in having that certification behind your name. Both in the increased clinical knowledge from studying on your weak points and also the respect it brings on a resume.
My question is a next step I was considering. I am in Pennsylvania currently and Pa offers the Pre-Hospital RN certification. For those unfamiliar it is essentially a bridge course that covers all the things in a Paramedic certification but cuts out the things you already focused on in nursing school. It is a 6 month course with 250hrs of clinical time before you sit for a state certification exam.
Here it is mandatory if you want to fly. Currently I do not aspire to do so. My question is do you think having PHRN certification will bring value like a CEN? Obviously the knowledge is great as you can never be too educated. But will it help climb the clinical ladder or bring value to a resume? Especially since not all states have the certification.

No, I don't think it will do anything for you, unless you are a flight nurse. To answer the radio and give pre-hospital orders, you need ECRN and a license (probably varies by state, but definately in Illinois). If it is for personal satisfaction, I'd say go for it, but if it is to secure a job or make more money, it won't do anything for you. By the way, my facility pays $.50/hour more for CEN. There is no designation or anything on your badge that you are a CEN.

Avenger1 · Mar 22, 2013

Pretty much what I was thinking but wanted another opinion. We get designation as a CEN on our badge which is nice and it is worth quite bit of points when challenging for RN III on the Clincal Ladder and required for RN IV. Each step is 5% plus annual evals it counts quite a bit for which range from 1-4% increases based on eval score.

I see the CEN as a big resume/career/personal satisfaction boost as it helps qualify you as an expert in your field. We have some PHRN's who loved the program and found it valuable however they all want to work pre-hospital as well. I was unsure if it transferred over to the in hospital side of things aside from some increased knowledge.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 22, 2013

Im a PHRN in IL and have been on my volunteer fire dept for 4 years. Im also a CEN and keep up all my certs. However, my full timme job is as an APN in nephrology.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2013

Everything helps.....I feel it is good to know all aspect of care including pre-hospital. Even if you do not fly you can do critical care ground transport. Check out your local flight crews for requirements. Some academic based crews are now requiring a masters degree. I had CEN, CCRN, CFRN......etc

Will PHRN transfer to in hospital? Probably not....but I feel in the ED setting it would be helpful.

XmasShopperRN, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2013

Will PHRN transfer to in hospital? Probably not....but I feel in the ED setting it would be helpful.

Not to mention the doors that the pre-hospital certification would open for you in terms of marketability for hospital systems that operate their own transport companies. A nurse who has demonstrated competency in more than one emergency environment is definitely going to be sitting much prettier than a nurse whose training isn't as versatile.

Avenger1 · Mar 23, 2013

Not to mention the doors that the pre-hospital certification would open for you in terms of marketability for hospital systems that operate their own transport companies. A nurse who has demonstrated competency in more than one emergency environment is definitely going to be sitting much prettier than a nurse whose training isn't as versatile.

Really? This is was at the root of me asking. I thought this at first too but then wasn't sure if hospitals/human resources/recruiters thought the same way.

I want to make myself the best nurse possible but I also want to do things that will make me as marketable and desired as possible. The cost, length of training and time commitment for the PHRN just made me question whether it was worth it or if I should find another way to increase marketability.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2013

If you intend to pursue employment in the prehospital setting, the PHRN will be valuable, if not outright necessary. If you do not intend to work outside of a hospital setting ... education is never wasted, but it may not bring you any specific career benefits.

XmasShopperRN, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2013

Really? This is was at the root of me asking. I thought this at first too but then wasn't sure if hospitals/human resources/recruiters thought the same way.
I want to make myself the best nurse possible but I also want to do things that will make me as marketable and desired as possible. The cost, length of training and time commitment for the PHRN just made me question whether it was worth it or if I should find another way to increase marketability.

Case in point, University of Maryland operates Express Care, their transport company that other hospitals also use for patient transport. I've spoken to several of the EC transport nurses who've picked up my patients about what they did prior to EC, and at least half indicated that they either previously or currently work for UofMD emergency department or Shock Trauma.