With the evolving demands of healthcare, having additional credentials enhances your résumé and expands your knowledge and skills. We will share the best certifications to get now while in nursing school and why they are essential for your nursing career.
Why Certifications Matter
Certifications can affect where you end up working after graduation. Obtaining a specialized credential can give you an edge in various healthcare settings, like mental health clinics, hospitals, assisted living facilities, emergency rooms, college campuses, and nursing homes. For example, obtaining a certification in advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) can make you a more attractive candidate for emergency room positions, while a pediatric advanced life support (PALS) certification is crucial for working with children.
Certifications To Consider
Here are some of the most valuable certifications nursing students should consider:
Basic Life Support (BLS)
A BLS certification is foundational for all healthcare providers. BLS covers adult, child, and infant CPR. As you navigate the trenches of BLS, know what to expect from BLS skills session testing. Learning the outlook will prepare you for receiving your certification.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
If you want to work in critical care or emergency settings, this certification provides advanced skills in managing cardiac emergencies.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
This program focuses on emergency interventions for infants and children, which is essential for working in pediatric healthcare settings.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
While similar to BLS, this certification can be a standalone credential that ensures you are proficient in life-saving techniques.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale
If you aim for a career in neurology or stroke units, this certification helps you assess and manage stroke patients.
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) & Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
These advanced certifications are ideal if you want to work in an intensive care unit (ICU) or trauma center. These certifications demonstrate your expertise in handling critically ill patients.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Even though it’s not exclusively a nursing certification, having EMT training can be beneficial if you’re interested in pre-hospital and emergency care.
Wound Care Certification (WCC)
A wound care certification (WCC) is beneficial in any setting, but most critical in home healthcare, nursing homes, and hospitals. The WCC credential provides a certifier with knowledge in wound prevention, assessment, treatment, and management.
Choosing the Right Certifications
The certifications you pursue should align with your career goals and the healthcare settings you are interested in. For instance, if you’re interested in working in an emergency room, having an EMT or ACLS certification can help. On the other hand, working in care centers would require something like CPR or BLS.
Earning certifications during your time in nursing school strengthens your résumé and prepares you for the diverse challenges you’ll face. These certifications can provide valuable skills directly applicable to your future role. Investing time and effort in obtaining these certifications now prepares you for the next stepping stone in your medical career.
Image Credit: Image Credentials: By Tyler Olson, File: 58227924
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