Are you considering the nursing field and researching your options? Are you currently in nursing school and are exploring specialties you can work in? Are you a seasoned RN thinking about ways to advance in your career? Wherever you are on your journey, earning a nursing certification may help you reach your goals.
Nursing certifications are underutilized tools that RNs have to stand out from their peers and to promote their professional development. A nursing certification is issued by a board and indicates that a nurse has an advanced level of competency in a specific area of healthcare.
Determining the best nursing certification is different for each individual nurse, so you should choose one based on your goals and interests. Continue reading to find certifications that can help you boost your access to career opportunities, as well as earning potential.
Progressive Care Nursing (Adult)
The Progressive Care Nursing (Adult) certification, or PCCN, is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for nurses who directly care for acutely ill adults. These nurses may provide a variety of services, including intermediate care, telemetry, transitional care, or direct observation. To be eligible for this credential, you will be required to have an unencumbered RN or ARPN license as well as a certain number of direct care practice hours with acutely ill adults. If you choose the two-year option, you should have accrued 1,750 hours in the two years before putting in an application. Under the five-year option, AACN expects at least 2,000 hours accrued in the five years prior to your application date.
Certified Nurse Manager & Leader (CNML)
The Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) credential is for those who want to demonstrate a high level of clinical knowledge and experience in nursing leadership. To earn this certification, which is provided by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), you must pass a 115-question exam that demonstrates your knowledge on the core leadership principles of human resource management, strategic management and technology, performance improvement, and financial management.
To sit for the CNML exam, the AONL requires that RNs have an unrestricted license and at least a bachelor’s degree. Also, RNs must have at least 2,080 hours of work experience in a primary leadership role or 4,160 hours minimum in a supporting leadership position. CNMLs must be recertified every three years, which entails completing at least 45 continuing education hours or retaking the certification exam.
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
The CCRN certification is a professional credential offered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) for nurses who provide direct care for critically-ill adult patients. To be eligible for this certification, you must have an unencumbered RN or APRN license and at least 1,750 hours of work experience in critical care. Applicants who meet these standards can sit for the certification exam, which is made up of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in three hours. The credential costs $255 for AACN members and $370 for nonmembers. You must renew a CCRN every three years by either completing 100 hours of continuing education coursework or passing the certification exam again.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
The Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credential, provided by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), is for nurses with a high level of clinical knowledge and experience in emergency nursing. Those who apply for a CEN must have a current, unrestricted nursing license. Although there is no minimum work experience requirement, the BCEN does suggest that applicants have at least two years of experience in their nursing specialty. Prospective CENs must also pass a certification exam, which can be taken in person at a testing center or remotely with a live online proctor. You will be charged $380 for the initial exam and $200 if you need to retake the test. However, the BCEN does offer test assurance for $450, meaning the upfront price covers two attempts.
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) designation is considered the gold standard for RNs who have dedicated their career to working with children. This is because when you earn this certification, you demonstrate to employers that you have a mastery of pediatric nursing skills, such as health promotion; physical, family, and psychosocial assessments; and illness management. To become a CPN, RNs should have a current license, complete a minimum of 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience, and pass a certification exam. To help support nurses who want to earn this credential, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), which issues the certification, has a No Pass, No Pay policy. This mean that you are not charged for two attempts of the test per year, so there is no risk if you do not successfully complete the exam.
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
The Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) credential is provided by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). To be eligible for this certification, you must successfully complete an exam, as well as have a minimum of two years of RN experience, and at least 2,000 hours of adult oncology practice within the last four years. Also, at least ten contact hours of continuing nursing education is required. Those who have met the eligibility requirements must pass a 165 multiple-choice test that takes three hours to complete. Exam content covers the science of oncology nursing practice and the care continuum. Specific areas you are expected to know include epidemiology, survivorship, and end-of-life care.
Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
Nurse educators are charged with training the next generation of professionals, and by earning Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification from the National League for Nursing (NLN), they’re able to demonstrate high-level teaching skills and pedagogical knowledge. The NLN requires that you pass an examination that tests your knowledge of areas such as assessment and evaluation strategies; learner development and socialization; continuous quality improvement; and engaging in scholarship. The examination costs $425 for members of the NLN, while non-members pay $525.
A CNE remains current for five years. In order to renew the certification, you will be expected to demonstrate that you’ve maintained a high level of skills and knowledge. This can be done by either submitting a portfolio or taking the certification test.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
The Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) designation, which is provided by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), is earned by nurses who work in various settings, including hospitals, birth centers, nursing homes, and doctor’s offices. To receive this credential, you should have a graduate degree with a nurse midwife specialization and an active license. Also, you will be expected to pass an examination to demonstrate your grasp of the knowledge and skills nurse midwifes should have when providing pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Some of these skills include conducting physical examinations; taking diagnostic tests and interpreting the results; prescribing medications; and admitting, managing, and discharging patients.
Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
The Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) provided by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) is for advanced-practice nurses who specialize in ensuring that patients experience pain-free medical procedures and surgeries. In order to earn this certification, you will be required to have at least a nurse anesthesia master’s degree from a program been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), an unencumbered RN license, and at least one year of full-time critical care work experience. Additionally, you must pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
The Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) designation from the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) is for those who want to dedicate their nursing practice to treating people with acute and chronic wounds. These RNs can be found in long-term care facilities, urgent care clinics, emergency departments, and home health organizations. To earn this certification, you must have an unencumbered nursing license and graduate from an accredited wound care education program. The program should provide at least 100 hours of training. After completing this training, you will be expected to complete 1,500 hours of wound care clinical practice and 50 continuing education hours.
