DanMacRN

TNCC is an interesting course and is required to work trauma in many hospitals. It is a bit strange because in theTNCC course you have to think like a doctor, not a nurse. It is sort of a fish-out-of-water experience, but it is interesting and, as I said, increasingly required. If it is required your employer will pay for it. CEN is another thing entirely. Very comprehensive and all of the information is important to know for a professional Emergency Nurse. Most employers do not require CEN so you will have to pay for it and it can be pretty expensive. Preparation is also time consuming and you have to recertify--take the test--every four years to keep it. Is it worth it? I think so, but I know many CENs who don't think so. At any rate it is important to keep learning and improving your skills as a nurse throughout your career if you want to ba a true professional. Good Luck.

I have been an Emergency Nurse for 6 years and I have seen every one of the conditions described by mwboswell and then some working in Level I Trauma centers. Sorry, mw. I took TNCC last year and found the course to be interesting, but somewhat unrealistic. For one thing the course puts the nurse in the doctor's chair, the RN has to think and function as a doctor in the skills stations. Strange, but interesting. As far as costs, your hospital pays for TNCC if they require it as many do. CEN is another animal completely. Very in-depth and ALL nursing. It is very challenging and time consuming--if that would be a concern for you--and you have to do it all over again every four years to keep it. Worth it? Absolutely. You can never afford to stop learning or improving your skills as a nurse. Good luck.

I have a Question. According to the Hyperbaric nurse Association guidelines you have to be practicing hyperbaric nursing before you can become certified in it. Isn't that a catch-22? I want to become certified as a hyperbaric nurse but I do not currently work as a hyperbaric nurse. What do I do?