Specialty Certifications Worth it?

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Hi everyone! I'm doing a presentation on the advantages and disadvantages of going back to school for specialty certifications. Some states don't offer their nurses extra pay for being certified in certain areas, while others do.

What do you think? And do you have any interesting articles to share?

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Specializes in Case Management, Corrections, Home Care.

I worked on Cape Cod and got certified in Gerontological nursing (RN,C)and they paid me $1.50/hr more. I got certified in Las Vegas for Correctional Nursing (CCHP) and I got nothing more. I don't regret any of it and would do both again.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I, too, just did a presentation on nursing certifications for my leadership and management class. I had to do a research paper and an oral presentation that I thought was very interesting (the paper, not the presentation. The presentation was yawn-inducing...!). I got some base information from the 2008 AJN career guide, and from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/ They, too, had some good links. Check it out. Excellent information.

Good luck!

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Specializes in US Army.

My CNOR certification gives me a $20,000 bonus pr. yr for the next 4 years. Can't argue with that.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

My CNOR cert is built in to my career ladders. I am at the highest,CNIII, and that pays me about $2 more an hour. Without my cert I would only be able to attain a II level. So in a year it would give me $3600 base pay, not including OT and such which would increase it greatly. I would say yes that cert does pay for itself in the long run.

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Usually you don't have to go back to school for specialty certs. Most certifying agencies publish an examination guide with a list of suggested resources for independent study.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

It's uaually the hospital that gives you the differential, not the state. I worked @ a hosp that gave you $100/mo extra, prorated if you were part time.

It's still a very good idea.

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Specializes in Oncology, Research.

I earn an extra $2500/yr for my cert. Once I get my OCN, that will probably add another $500/yr.

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