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What Types of Nursing Certifications Are There?
Nursing certifications provide nurses with the qualifications that they need to operate within a certain role and at a specific level. If you have these certifications behind you, it could give you access to higher-paying roles, allowing you to advance your career in the nursing profession.
What Are Nursing Certifications?
A certification is a recognition of skill. It’s proof that an individual is ready for a specific role and has the skillset needed to adequately perform that role. The requirements for the certification, as well as the costs involved, the length of time that it takes to complete, and the difficulty level, can vary from certification to certification.
Why Are They Important?
You can have all of the skills and knowledge in the world, but without the right certification, you can’t prove it. That’s why certifications are important.
The right certification can get your foot in the door, allowing you to work within your chosen specialty and helping you to build a career in caring. They can be difficult to obtain and there are many different ones to choose from, but you will learn a lot on the way and those skills will prepare you for a long and promising career.
How To Get Certified
To get certified, you first need to know which certification suits you. From there, you can research the certification, learning about exam eligibility, costs, and study materials. Once you have ticked all of those boxes, you can move on to your study and complete the examination.
Take a look at the list at the bottom of this guide to learn about the types of certifications available to nurses in the United States.
What Are The Most Important Nursing Certifications For New Grads?
Certifications make you a more enticing prospect for employers, which is a key requirement for new graduates.
If you’ve just graduated, you’ll have minimal work experience, and you may feel like you’re trapped in a Catch-22—you need experience to get work, but you can’t get work if you don’t have experience. A certification can make all of the difference, and, in many cases, it will be required.
Some of the most popular choices for new grads include:
Oncology
The field of oncology is becoming increasingly important as the US population grows and gets older. Cancer is primarily a disease that affects older people (although it can strike at any age) and as life expectancy rates climb, there will be more and more cases.
Treatments are also getting more effective and that could create a lot of possibilities for nurses in Oncology. What’s more, healthcare workers in this profession get to be part of potentially exciting innovations in cancer care, ones that could save millions of lives.
Nurse-Midwife
Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a great option for anyone who cares about the health of women and their babies and wants to support pregnant women on their journeys. It is a demanding profession but it’s also one that’s experiencing a lot of growth.
Diabetes Care
There are several certifications that deal with diabetes care and a number of possible careers relating to the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Diabetes is one of the biggest killers in the United States, and it also contributes to a host of other illnesses.
Millions of Americans are fighting this disease and if you specialize in diabetes care, you can help them to manage their symptoms and improve their prognosis.
What Types of Nursing Certifications Are There?
We have listed the most popular nursing certifications below, along with links to the websites of the organizations that offer them.
A-GNP
- Certification Name: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Organization: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
AACRN
- Certification Name: Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse
- Organization: HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board
ACCNS-AG
- Certification Name: Clinical Nurse Specialist; Wellness through Acute Care Adult-Gerontology)
- Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
ACCNS-N
• Certification Name: Clinical Nurse Specialist; Wellness through Acute Care (Neonatal)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
ACCNS-P
• Certification Name: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Wellness through Acute Care (Pediatric)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
ACHPN
• Certification Name: Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
• Organization: Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
ACNP-BC
• Certification Name: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
ACNPC-AG
• Certification Name: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerontology)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
ACNS-BC
• Certification Name: Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
ACRN
• Certification Name: HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse
• Organization: Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
ADM-BC
• Certification Name: Advanced Diabetes Management (specialty certification, retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
ADM-BC
• Certification Name: Advanced Diabetes Management
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
AE-C
• Certification Name: Certified Asthma Educator
• Organization: The National Asthma Educator Certification Board
AFN-BC
• Certification Name: Advanced Forensic Nursing
• Organization: International Association of Forensic Nurses
AGACNP-BC
• Certification Name: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
AGCNS-BC
• Certification Name: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
AGN-BC
• Certification Name: Genetics Nursing, Advanced
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
AGPCNP-BC
• Certification Name: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
AHN-BC
• Certification Name: Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified
• Organization: American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
ANP-BC
• Certification Name: Adult Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
ACNPC
• Certification Name: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
AOCN
• Certification Name: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
AOCNP
• Certification Name: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
AOCNS
• Certification Name: Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
APHN-BC
• Certification Name: Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse
• Organization: American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
BC-ADM
• Certification Name: Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management
• Organization: Education and CE Opportunities
BMTCN
• Certification Name: Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
C-EFM
• Certification Name: Electronic Fetal Monitoring
• Organization: National Certification Corporation
C-NPT
• Certification Name: Neonatal Pediatric Transport
• Organization: National Certification Corporation
CANS
• Certification Name: Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist
• Organization: Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board
CAPA
• Certification Name: Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse
• Organization: American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc
CARN
• Certification Name: Certified Addictions Registered Nurse
• Organization: Center For Nursing Education and Testing
CARN-AP
• Certification Name: Certified Addictions Registered Nurse - Advanced Practice
• Organization: Center For Nursing Education and Testing
CBC
• Certification Name: Certified Breast Feeding Counselor
• Organization: Prepared Childbirth Educators, Inc
CBCN
• Certification Name: Certified Breast Care Nurse
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
CBHC
• Certification Name: Correctional Behavioral Health Certification
• Organization: Raising Careers
CCCN
• Certification Name: Certified Continence Care Nurse
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CCCN-AP
• Certification Name: Certified Continence Care Nurse-Advanced Practice
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CCE
• Certification Name: Certified Childbirth Educator
• Organization: Prepared Childbirth Educators, Inc
CCHP-A
• Certification Name: Certified Correctional Health Professional-Advanced
• Organization: National Commission On Correctional Health Care
CCHP-RN
• Certification Name: Certified Correctional Health Professional-RN
• Organization: National Commission On Correctional Health Care
CCHT
• Certification Name: Certified Clinical Haemodialysis Technician
• Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
CCHTA
• Certification Name: Certified Clinical Haemodialysis Technician-Advanced
• Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
CCNS
• Certification Name: Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult, Pediatric & Neonatal)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
CCRA
• Certification Name: Certified Clinical Research Associate
• Organization: The Association of Clinical Research Professional
CCRC
• Certification Name: Certified Clinical Research Associate
• Organization: The Association of Clinical Research Professional
CCRN
• Certification Name: Acute/Critical Care Nursing (Adult, Pediatric & Neonatal)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
CCRN-E
• Certification Name: Tele-ICU Acute/Critical Care Nursing (Adult)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
CCRN-K
• Certification Name: Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (Adult, Pediatric & Neonatal)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
CCRP
• Certification Name: Certified Clinical Research Professional
• Organization: Society of Clinical Research Associates
CCTM
• Certification Name: Certified in Care Coordination and Transition Management
• Organization: Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board
CD-LPN
• Certification Name: Certified Dialysis Licensed Practical Nurse
• Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
CD-LVN
• Certification Name: Certified Dialysis Licensed Vocational Nurse
• Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
CDE
• Certification Name: Certified Diabetes Educator
• Organization: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
CDN
• Certification Name: Certified Dialysis Nurse
• Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
CEN
• Certification Name: Certified Emergency Nurse
• Organization: Board of Certification For Emergency Nursing
CENP
• Certification Name: Certified in Executive Nursing Practice
• Organization: American Organization for Nursing Leadership
CFCN
• Certification Name: Certified Foot Care Nurse
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CFRN
• Certification Name: Certified Flight Registered Nurse
• Organization: Board of Certification For Emergency Nursing
CGRN
• Certification Name: Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse
• Organization: American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses
CHFN
• Certification Name: Certified Heart Failure Nurse
• Organization: American Association of Heart Failure Nurses
CHFN-K
• Certification Name: Non-Clinical Heart Failure Nurse
• Organization: American Association of Heart Failure Nurses
CHPCA
• Certification Name: Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator
• Organization: Advancing Expert Care
CHPLN
• Certification Name: Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse
• Organization: Advancing Expert Care
CHPN
• Certification Name: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
• Organization: Advancing Expert Care
CHPNA
• Certification Name: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant
• Organization: Advancing Expert Care
CHPPN
• Certification Name: Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse
• Organization: Advancing Expert Care
CHSA
• Certification Name: Certified Health Service Administrator
• Organization: Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association
CLC
• Certification Name: Certified Lactation Counsellor
• Organization: Centre for Breastfeeding
CIC
• Certification Name: Certified in Infection Control
• Organization: Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc
CM
• Certification Name: Occupational Health Nursing Case Management
• Organization: American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc
CMC
• Certification Name: Cardiac Medicine (Adult)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
CMCN
• Certification Name: Certification in Managed Care Nursing
• Organization American Board of Managed Care Nursing
CMSRN
• Certification Name: Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse
• Organization: Medical Surgical Nursing Certification Board
CNAMB
• Certification Name: Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse
• Organization: Competency and Credentialing Institute
CNE
• Certification Name: Certified Nurse Educator
• Organization: National League for Nursing
CNE-cl
• Certification Name: Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator
• Organization: National League for Nursing
CNL
• Certification Name: Clinical Nurse Leader
• Organization: American Association of Colleges of Nursing
CNML
• Certification Name: Nurse Manager and Leader
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
CNML
• Certification Name: Certified Nurse Manager and Leader
• Organization: American Organization for Nursing Leadership
CNN
• Certification Name: Certified Corrections Nurse
• Organization: Raising Careers
CNN
• Certification Name:
• Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
CNN-NP
• Certification Name:
• Organization: Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
CNN/M
• Certification Name: Certified Corrections Nurse/Manager
• Organization: Raising Careers
CNOR
• Certification Name: Certified Perioperative Nurse
• Organization: Competency and Credentialing Institute
CNS-BC
• Certification Name: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Core
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
CNS-CP
• Certification Name: Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative
• Organization: Competency and Credentialing Institute
COCN
• Certification Name: Certified Ostomy Care Nurse
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
COCN-AP
• Certification Name: Certified Ostomy Care Nurse-Advanced Practice
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
COHN
• Certification Name: Certified Occupational Health Nurse
• Organization: American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc
COHN-S
• Certification Name: Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist
• Organization: American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc
CORLN
• Certification Name: Certified Otorhinolaryngology Nurse
• Organization: Society of Otorhinolaryngology
CPAN
• Certification Name: Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
• Organization: American Board of Paranaesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc
CPEN
• Certification Name: Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse
• Organization: Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing
CPHON
• Certification Name: Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
CPHQ
• Certification Name: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
• Organization: National Association for Healthcare Quality
CPHRM
• Certification Name: Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management
• Organization: American Hospital Association
CPLC
• Certification Name: Certified in Perinatal Loss Care
• Organization: Advancing Expert Care
CPN
• Certification Name: Certified Pediatric Nurse
• Organization: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
CPNP-PC
• Certification Name: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care
• Organization: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
CPON
• Certification Name: Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
CPP-AC
• Certification Name: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care
• Organization: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
CPSN
• Certification Name: Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse
• Organization: Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board
CRN
• Certification Name: Certified Radiologic Nurse
• Organization: Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing
CRNFA
• Certification Name: Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant
• Organization: National Assistant at Surgery Certification
CRNI
• Certification Name: Certified Registered Nurse Infusion
• Organization: INS
CRNO
• Certification Name: Certification for Registered Nurses of Ophthalmology
• Organization: American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses
CRRN
• Certification Name: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse
• Organization: Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
CSC
• Certification Name: Cardiac Surgery (Adult)
• Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
CSSM
• Certification Name: Certified Surgical Services Manager
• Organization: Competency and Credential Institute
CTRN
• Certification Name: Certified Transport Registered Nurse
• Organization: Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing
CUA
• Certification Name: Urologic Associate
• Organization: Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates
CUNP
• Certification Name: Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates
CURN
• Certification Name: Certified Urologic Registered Nurse
• Organization: Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates
CWCN
• Certification Name: Certified Wound Care Nurse
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CWCN-AP
• Certification Name: Certified Wound Care Nurse-Advanced Practice
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CWOCN
• Certification Name: Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CWOCN-AP
• Certification Name: Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse-Advanced Practice
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CWON
• Certification Name: Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
CWON-AP
• Certification Name: Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse-Advanced Practice
• Organization: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
DCNP
• Certification Name: Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: Dermatology Nurses Association
DNC
• Certification Name: Dermatology Nurse Certified
• Organization: Dermatology Nurses Association
ENP-BC
• Certification Name: Emergency Nurse Practitioner (specialty certification)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
FNP-BC
• Certification Name: Family Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
FNP-C
• Certification Name: Family Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
GNP-BC
• Certification Name: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
HN-BC
• Certification Name: Holistic Nurse, Board Certified
• Organization: American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
HNB-BC
• Certification Name: Holistic Baccalaureate Nurse, Board Certified
• Organization: American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
HWNC-BC
• Certification Name: Health and Wellness Nurse Coach, Board Certified
• Organization: American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
IBCLC
• Certification Name: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
• Organization: International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
LNCC
• Certification Name: Legal Nurse Consultant Certified
• Organization: American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board
NC-BC
• Certification Name: Nurse Coach, Board Certified
• Organization: American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
NE-BC
• Certification Name: Nurse Executive
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
NEA-BC
• Certification Name: Nurse Executive, Advanced
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
NNP-BC
• Certification Name: NNP-BC - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: National Certification Corporation
NP-C
• Certification Name: Adult Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
OCN
• Certification Name: Oncology Certified Nurse
• Organization: Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
OCNS-C
• Certification Name: Orthopedic Clinical Nurse Specialist - Certified
• Organization: Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board
ONC
• Certification Name: Orthopedic Nurse Certified
• Organization: Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board
ONP-C
• Certification Name: Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner-Certified
• Organization: Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board
PCCN
• Certification Name: Progressive Care Nursing (Adult)
• Organization: American Association or Critical-Care Nurses
PCCN-K
• Certification Name: Progressive Care Knowledge Professional (Adult)
• Organization: American Association or Critical-Care Nurses
PCNS-BC
• Certification Name: Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PHCNS-BC
• Certification Name: Public/Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PHMS
• Certification Name: Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PHNA-BC
• Certification Name: Public Health Nursing, Advanced
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PMHCNS-BC
• Certification Name: Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PMHCNS-BC
• Certification Name: Child/Adolescent Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PMHNP-BC
• Certification Name: Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PMHNP-BC
• Certification Name: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the life span)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
PPCNP-BC
• Certification Name: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Ambulatory Care Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Cardiac-Vascular Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Certified Vascular Nurse (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: College Health Nursing (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Community Health Nursing (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Faith Community Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Genetics Nursing, Advanced
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: General Nursing, Practice (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Gerontological Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Hemostasis Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: High-Risk Perinatal Nursing (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Home Health Nursing (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Informatics Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Nursing Case Management
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Nursing Professional Development
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Pain Management Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Pediatric Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Perinatal Nursing (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Public Health Nursing, Advanced
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: Rheumatology Nursing
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RN-BC
• Certification Name: School Nursing (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
RNC-LRN
• Certification Name: RNC-LRN - Low Risk Neonatal Nursing
• Organization: National Certification Corporation
RNC-MNN
• Certification Name: RNC-MNN - Maternal Newborn Nursing
• Organization: National Certification Corporation
RNC-NIC
• Certification Name: RNC-NIC - Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
• Organization: National Certification Corporation
RNC-OB
• Certification Name: RNC-OB - Inpatient Obstetric Nursing
• Organization National Certification Corporation
SANE-A
• Certification Name: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Adult/Adolescent
• Organization: International Association of Forensic Nurses
SANE-P
• Certification Name: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Pediatric
• Organization: International Association of Forensic Nurses
SNP-BC
• Certification Name: School Nurse Practitioner (retired exam)
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
TCRN
• Certification Name: Trauma Certified Registered Nurse
• Organization: Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing
WHNP-BC
• Certification Name: WHNP-BC - Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner
• Organization: ANA Enterprise
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