ConureDelSol

I ask if you need a certification based on the fact that my mom is an associate's degree RN working at an orthopaedic center. When I told her the other day that I had decided that I'd like to eventually specialize in orthopaedics she told me that a certification really doesn't help land you a job or get you higher pay. She has never been asked by her job to go back to school or to get a certification. So I guess the gist of what I'm asking is do you really need to go and get a certification to "specialize" as an orthopaedic RN? Or can you just go and work in an orthopaedic setting and call yourself the same thing? Does a certification tend to help at all in the hiring process?

Hi there, I actually decided to enter the health field after my own health issues managed to get me kicked out of boot camp for the Marines. Honestly, before that I think I would've rather rubbed sand in my eyes than even consider nursing. I know that in the long run, I want to be an Orthopedic Nurse. However, I also kinda want to go the Paramedic route. The general plan has been EMT-B>Paramedic (thru local community college)>Paramedic to RN Associate's Degree Program>Orthopedic Nursing Certification>(maybe) BSN I'm almost about to take the EMT-B exam and I am a Certified Pharmacy Technician although I never had the opportunity to be hired and use those skills. So throughout my EMT class I admit I got excited over the prospect of becoming a paramedic and going into emergency medicine. I figured that if I get into the program and complete it, it will be that much easier to get into the nursing program at my community college which is apparently difficult to get into. The more I think about this path though, the more I wonder if it would be better if I just go for nursing first and try out emergency medicine. That way, if I decide that it's not for me, I can always change venues or whatever after getting the experience that I need. The major reason I've been doubting the paramedic route is that I've recently been diagnosed with Behcet's Disease and flares can occur at any random time and can take me out of work for awhile. I'm not so sure that working as a paramedic would mean that I would have an understanding employer who would be okay with me being out for a month due to a flare-up. I'm not so sure a paramedic salary would allow me to do that either way. Also, I understand that paramedic jobs can be very competitive. Not that nursing isn't, but I always hear people saying we need nurses, not so much for paramedics. It's because of having Behcet's also that I want to go into orthopedic nursing and while I know there are orthopedic nurses in the emergency department, I'm more looking towards being able to treat and aid in managing the pain from the more musculoskeletal aspects of autoimmune disorders, injuries, and joint conditions. I may even consider delving a tiny bit into sports medicine. I feel as though the experience as a paramedic might be beneficial, but that going that route might be a waste of time or unrealistic. I have some time to think about it since I wouldn't even be able to apply for the paramedic program until January, but I do feel I need to figure out my career path soon. I'm already 20 and am not even close to obtaining any degree yet. Most of my friends who graduated high school at the same time are already halfway to their goals.