Questions about ENPC?

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Those of you who have taken ENPC, did you find it helpful? Would you find it helpful for a new grad in a peds only emergency department?

There's a local class coming up soon but I would have to pay for it myself. I am thinking the framework would be helpful, since most of my training has been with a preceptor so far, with no class work aimed at new grads. I'm someone who likes to see it on paper before jumping in to do things. I've been working about 4 months now and have good days and then days where I feel like I have no clue whats happening around me.

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Why isn't the hospital paying for it?

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They would, eventually, but not for the one upcoming and I would need to wait for the folks ahead of me to take it first. I'm not sure how much of a wait that is exactly, but if its something that would be helpful I'd rather pay myself and take it sooner on my schedule.

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They would, eventually, but not for the one upcoming and I would need to wait for the folks ahead of me to take it first. I'm not sure how much of a wait that is exactly, but if its something that would be helpful I'd rather pay myself and take it sooner on my schedule.

I guess I'd have to know your patient population, how well your preceptor is training you, and if you have experienced nurses to turn to for a resource with your peds patients to really say, and only you can know that. Personally, I don't think it made that much difference to take on the cost of a few hundred dollars myself, given the kinds of peds patients that I typically see.

You might be in a different situation, though. I would ask the nurses that you work with. They should be able to give you a much better idea.

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What kind of peds patients do you see, and did you take the class as a new nurse or an experienced nurse?

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.

"IF" you can afford it, I'd say give it a shot. I would absolutely try to get in touch with the course director and get your book at least 30 days in advance.

Most experienced RNs who take it, don't read the book cover to cover, as all the "required" material is taught in class - however, in your case, being a new grad and not experienced in peds ED, I'd recommend you need to be able to go through the whole book to get the most out of the class. Some course directors don't get you the book until about a week or so before the class; which is not enough time to go over all the material.

Unfortunately you only have limited opportunities in the class to retest should you not pass on the first go round - so any time you could spend ahead of class would be well worth it.

Even if you didn't "pass" the class; the knowledge you'd get would be most helpful in your situation AND when you did get to take it again when the hospital pays for it; it might make it easier.

So that being said, "if" your money was tight, and "if" you talked to the course director and they could NOT promise to get you the book about a month prior - then I'd say just wait.

Another thought, if you'd like to just get the book and have it to look over and study from now, to be better prepared when the hospital does pay for it, you can ask that course dirctor to order you a book even if you don't attend the course. You'd still have to pay the $40 for the book though.

If I can do anything else to answer questions on this for you, let me know. I'm ENPC national faculty (I train instructors and directors).

Best of luck!

-MB

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We don't have a peds inpatient unit, so we see mostly stuff that we treat with tylenol, motrin, zofran, or a dose of antibiotics and send home. Occassionally we'll get something bad enough to transfer.

I think I had about 2 years under my belt when I took it, but I was fairly new to the ED with no peds experience.

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I work in an ER. I have ACLS PALS ENPC TNCC. Only ACLS was required in our small town hospital but I believe in taking all the courses that I am able. If I pick up one piece of information that saves the life of your family member it is worth it....and they have all been worth it.

Never stop caring, learning, improving your skills and growing as a nurse. The day your family member rolls thru the door the training will kick in and you will know what to do. You will never regret knowing too much.

Best wishes in your nursing career.

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I work in an ER. I have ACLS PALS ENPC TNCC. Only ACLS was required in our small town hospital but I believe in taking all the courses that I am able. If I pick up one piece of information that saves the life of your family member it is worth it....and they have all been worth it.

Never stop caring, learning, improving your skills and growing as a nurse. The day your family member rolls thru the door the training will kick in and you will know what to do. You will never regret knowing too much.

Best wishes in your nursing career.

The part in bold is the key to your answer. No one said she shouldn't take the class. The only question is whether or not she should pay for it herself, or wait for her employer to pay. Those classes are not inexpensive and represent a significant investment if the OP has to cough up the dough on her own.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
They would, eventually, but not for the one upcoming and I would need to wait for the folks ahead of me to take it first. I'm not sure how much of a wait that is exactly, but if its something that would be helpful I'd rather pay myself and take it sooner on my schedule.

I think it would be emensely helpful in the care of little ones.....worht it's weight in gold!.....well worth the expense......you'll be able to count the CEUs too.....good luck

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The part in bold is the key to your answer. No one said she shouldn't take the class. The only question is whether or not she should pay for it herself, or wait for her employer to pay. Those classes are not inexpensive and represent a significant investment if the OP has to cough up the dough on her own.

Response to GM2rn:

Actually, she said she was willing to pay for it herself, if it was worth the investment. I feel that it is worth the investment and did pay for mine, our hospital pays for little to no training. They will pay for our BLS and ACLS but nothing else.

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Thanks for the advice everyone! I realize the classes aren't cheap, but I figure I just spent money on nursing school so spending money to give me the tools to be an even better nurse doesn't seem like a huge leap (and now that I'm working money is much less tight than it was as a student!). My main concern is that I want to take this class when it will benefit me the most.

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