I currently work critical care float pool (ER, ICU, Tele, Onc, MS) and plan to go into travel nursing in a couple of years when my youngest goes off to college. I currently have TNCC, ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications. Are there any other certifications that you would recommend?
Hello & welcome!! I work adult ICU, including CCU, CVICU, MICU, & SICU. About 4 yrs ago I finally got enough courage to take the CCRN test. Best thing that I could have done! When interviewing with nurse managers, the subject comes up & I know that I have landed a few assignments because of this. With everything else being equal on profiles submitted, the one with the certification will almost always be chosen over the others.
Because I work the other floors (onc/med surg/tele), I don't think I'll qualify with enough hours. Don't you have to be full time ICU for a year to go for the CCRN?
I would have to check on the AACN website, but I believe that somewhere about 300 hrs of critical care (which includes ER) is needed within a couple of years of taking the exam. If you work Tele/stepdown, you may want to consider the PCCN exam (progressive care certification).
The only other recommendation relates to the oncology portion; a chemo certification, like the ONS chemo certification, might come in handy in this case as well.
You're really quite well-prepared with CPR, ACLS, PALS and TNCC for most of the job orders we see come through at Clinical One in those specialities. It's always good to keep in mind that, for CPR, ACLS and PALS, that American Heart Association certifications are the safest bet as far as acceptance.
Best of luck!
Jennifer Wackerle
Senior Documentation Specialist
Clinical One
