I am a newer nurse with about a year of experience in ICU. I am looking for ways to increase my worth over time by investing in myself with certifications and experience. I am not interested in a BSN because the dollar return is minimal and it appears to be more about theory which doesn't help me excel in an ICU setting although I would look into this as a stepping stone to get to a higher degree. What I am wondering is, has anyone here gone for AHA provider training and was it something you could leverage for a raise in addition to other certifications? If so, was it enough that you would recommend it? I love to teach anyway and would love to have an instructor card regardless. But if I brought it up to HR, what should I expect? On that note, what did CCRN/CEN/TNCC/other certifications earn in addition per hour? I do recognize this can vary by state, I am just looking to average out numbers. Are there other strategies that any of you know of that could help me be more knowledgeable in the ICU (or PHRN as this is an eventual goal of mine as well) specialty and also give me more to leverage with HR over time?
Our AHA providers where I work are our educators so staff getting it wouldn't get anything.
I got $1 and hour for my certification (many years ago, not sure what it is now) and $1 an hour for the BSN. Not much return, but it looks good on the resume.
I will also echo the advice of getting the BSN out of the way. While it certainly won't help you clinically as ICU nurse, like it or not it is the standard for more advanced positions and it looks real good on the resume. For example, since you like to teach you maybe one day want to take on a clinical group (even part time), or become a floor educator, or any number of other BSN required positions.
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,247 Posts
Our AHA providers where I work are our educators so staff getting it wouldn't get anything.
I got $1 and hour for my certification (many years ago, not sure what it is now) and $1 an hour for the BSN. Not much return, but it looks good on the resume.
I will also echo the advice of getting the BSN out of the way. While it certainly won't help you clinically as ICU nurse, like it or not it is the standard for more advanced positions and it looks real good on the resume. For example, since you like to teach you maybe one day want to take on a clinical group (even part time), or become a floor educator, or any number of other BSN required positions.
Good luck!