What other certifications can I get before graduating?

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1st semester Nursing student here! I am 20 years old and am certified as a CNA and about to finish my EMT classes and get certified is that! Is there anything else I can do or be certified as? I just like to keep busy and every bit of knowledge I've gotten from my EMT classes has really helped me in Pre-Nursing!! Anyways what else can I do, I'm out of ideas!

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Specializes in ER.

Sometimes you can find a training center that will allow you to take PALS and ACLS, but I would wait till it is closer to your graduation date otherwise you'll have to renew before then. Also after you have taken basic EKG classes. EKG skill stat is soooo useful for learning rhythms. Seriously.

There is BTLS that I don't remember if basics can do. I did ITLS which was kind of useless.

If you can become affiliated with a training center, you can become a CPR instructor. Very useful!

Work part-time on a squad and it looks really good. The ER hired me based on my pre-hospital 911 experience.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I would also suggest waiting until you're closer to graduation, just so that everything doesn't expire right as you're graduating. You want it fairly fresh in your mind when you are applying for jobs.

When that time comes, ACLS, PALS, and NRP are good, an EKG class can be good... Those are the biggest ones. Do you know what area you want to get into?

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I would also suggest waiting until you're closer to graduation, just so that everything doesn't expire right as you're graduating. You want it fairly fresh in your mind when you are applying for jobs.

When that time comes, ACLS, PALS, and NRP are good, an EKG class can be good... Those are the biggest ones. Do you know what area you want to get into?

I'm not sure yet, I'm just in Level 1 of clinicals, so we're just doing health assessment and nursing fundamentals, I feel like I'll figure out what I want to do when we do our med/surg rotation and pediatrics and stuff. I really appreciate you guys tips though!!! Maybe ER since I'm about to be EMT certified, but who knows!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

You'll definitely get a better idea as you go along what you (and DON'T) want to do. You'll see all kinds of stuff. ED is one option, but certainly not the only one. ACLS I would recommend for pretty much anyone. The others may not be necessary, depending on what unit you end up on, but on almost any unit, you'll see at least SOMEONE with cardiac issues or the occasional code.

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