RN looking for info. on hyperbaric certification

Hi, I'm an RN with six years of experience, primarily in ICU and telemetry. I am interested in becoming certified in hyperbaric nursing. Any information would be appreciated. TNx!

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wherever you go, there you are.

You can contact

National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology

1816 Industrial Blvd.

Harvey, LA 70058

or

Baromedical Nurses Assoc. at www.hyperbaricnurses.org

The top one is the group that actually does the testing and cert.

I am currently studying to take the exam myself. Good luck to you

Kim

You can contact

National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology

1816 Industrial Blvd.

Harvey, LA 70058

or

Baromedical Nurses Assoc. at www.hyperbaricnurses.org

The top one is the group that actually does the testing and cert.

I am currently studying to take the exam myself. Good luck to you

Kim

National Barometric Service, Mr Dick Clark. Runs an excellent course in Primary Hyperbaric Medicine, can't remember the name of the hospital but it's in South Carolina.

Regards

Ian

CHT

Hi, I'm an RN with six years of experience, primarily in ICU and telemetry. I am interested in becoming certified in hyperbaric nursing. Any information would be appreciated. TNx!

------------------

wherever you go, there you are.

There are 2 certifications available for Hyperbaric Medicine. The first is Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) and cna contact the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology.

The second is Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN) from the Baromedical Nursine Association. There is basic, advanced and one for nurses with MSN and above.

National Barometric Service, Mr Dick Clark. Runs an excellent course in Primary Hyperbaric Medicine, can't remember the name of the hospital but it's in South Carolina.

Regards

Ian

CHT

Richland Memorial or Columbia, South Carolina

I work the ED now I did a 24 hour class at Shands Hospital in Gainsville, Fl. in 1996. Would love to work hyperbaric's but never see jobs for that?

Lee

I am a CHT presently going through a BSN program. I used to run a hyperbaric department with a multiplace chamber. I am going to give you my two cents.

you may want to check out the baromedical nursing association not real good source for certification information but if you are going to persue your ACHRN or CHRN you are probably going to want to know about and join this association. The RN and tech's will be coming to blows in the future! Lots of chambers are looking to cut expenses/downsize and if you can get one person who can do it all. Techs are good for the "tech' stuff but usually don't have the certs to perform in hospital care. If you are an RN that can drive a chamber you are a hot commodity. MY GOAL!

the NBDHMT has just updated its site to include study material you can download to help with your certification. i think it is nbdhmt.org. or just google it.

Dick Clark is the man! he deals with monoplace chambers only. He has a great library of hyperbaric research. You may notice lots of docs and techs publishing but none too many RNs.

you may also want to check out the UHMS.org site for some links to other chambers and study material.

Best publishing is another source for hyperbaric books.

Give you an earfull?

Best of luck to you!

Viva

That was an earful viva, but the original poster waited six years for your answer, so why not give lots of details?

I'm teasing you here, but in all seriousness, your info will certainly help the next potential hyperbaric nurse who visits these threads.

Thanks, Eric! I love hyperbarics and the more nurses (competent) that we can get into the field, the better!

Enjoy and appreciate the ribbing! In this life if you got no sense of humor you might as well go into managment. Uh. . . . yeah...

Viva!

Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA has a course for multiplace chamber training. After the course (5 days) you are eligible to write the exam (from the NBDHMT in Louisiana) to obtain your CHT or CHRN certification.

I've enjoyed reading your posts...I love the idea of being certified in you specialty! Since most of you that have posted are already experienced in this field, I'd like to ask a question...

I am considering applying for a job in a hyperbaric outpatient facility. I've been at my current job in perioperative nursing for 11 years now so I'm really trying to do some research before making a move to a new specialty (& well, leaving a company I've been with for 11 years).

I keep reading questions and comments of hyperbaric nursing being physically demanding. Why is that?

Any other general info would be appreciated as well. Thanks

According to the UHMS (undersea hyperbaric medical society) a nurse must work 1 year/480 hours in a hyperbaric unit either mono or multiplace. This is after attending a Primary training either in Texas or South Carolina. Look on the UHMS website and you will find the info. Then after the year you have an exam that is fairly intense. If you read the hyperbaric medicine practice book, this will help you through the nursing exam for CHRN

What do you know about Navy trained hyperbaric RN's. I am a new BSN and application is in for Navy. Is this a good opportunity to get hyperbaric cert'd? With so few chambers out there, are there enough jobs and is the pay good if I get out?

Chris