From EP Lab Digest’s LinkedIn Group Page: Have you or do you plan to receive your RCES credential? Why or why not?

I am taking the IBHRE CEPS exam instead as I consider it a much more meaningful credential. If I fail to pass the CEPS, I probably will take the RCES exam! — Paul Haidri, RN, BSN I have taken and passed the RCES exam and both of the IBHRE exams. While the CEPS and the CCDS are advanced knowledge exams, the RCES is a meaningful credential that confirms the basic knowledge of EP. The RCES is also becoming a valuable credential to have in order to be hired by industry and hospitals. — Lisha Esbenshade-Smith, RCES I have both RCES and CEPS (HRS EP exam). Obtaining both is a personal and professional goal that will open opportunities for you. I believe certification in your field should be required. We want our physicians to be certified and qualified – why not your staff? Know EP? Prove it, get certified. The time is coming when this will be required. I agree RCES is basic but a good step. — Bonnie McDonald, RN, CEPS, RCES I have taken and passed the RCES exam and both the IBHRE exams. The RCES exam tests the fundamentals and will most likely be required for employment at some point. The exam was created with HRS and IBHRE support. It is also much less expensive than the IBHRE exam, making it much more feasible financially for those who cannot afford $1300 to take an exam (and potentially not get reimbursed for it). The IBHRE exams are very expensive and test extremely advanced knowledge (the pacing exam is the hardest exam I have ever taken). I agree that the two exams are complementary, not competitive. The RCES exam is a great first step for people with 2-3 years of experience in the lab, and gives them a chance to prove what they know with a nationally recognized credential. I think it would be good for anyone to take prior to taking the IBHRE exam – it's a good way to assess your strengths and weaknesses and build some confidence. — Sue Deck, BS, RN, RCES In the job description here, EP staff are to get the RCES by Sept. 2011, and the physicians want us to get the IBHRE certification at some point in time. The cath lab techs are to get the RCIS, and the RNs want to get the CCRN in place of the RCIS. I believe this is an issue being discussed with the RNs. The original plan was to have all staff in the lab have an RCIS or RCES. — David Espinosa, EP nurse We have some incredibly driven transplanted CVL staff as EP staff in our two-year-old EP lab. One takes the IBHRE exam tomorrow and another will be taking the RCES exam soon. My institution does not pay a differential for working in EP or for CVL/EP techs with any kind of certification. Personally, I believe this is a huge mistake and opens the door for our expert techs to find work at another institution that does pay more, of which there are several right here in Portland. Our certified nurses, in any field, are entitled to a differential and we have a clinical ladder for RNs and LPNs at PPMC. There are presently no mandates for RN or tech certification in either the CVL or EP. — Donna-Lee Moore-Stout, RN, CCRN I haved taken and passed the RCES exam and currently am preparing for the RCIS this summer and IBRHE for next year. I agree with previous commentators about the RCES being complementary and not competitive to the IBHRE; the RCES tests the basic to moderate EP knowledge, where the IBHRE is more advanced and proves the person's expertise. Also, the RCES is more affordable and easily accessed throughout the year. I think the hardest element is gathering the proper educational materials to build a study plan – there are so many textbooks and papers, it is very overwhelming at times – but the upside is that it pushes the individual to learn more and widen the knowledge base. — Sofiane Benali, CCT, RCES, EP Tech To see more of this discussion, please join our LinkedIn group! For more information, please visit: https://linkedin.com/in/eplabdigest