A fulfilling Certified Nurse Career Starts With a Single Step: Becoming a Registered Nurse. Nursing ranks among the largest health care professions in the US. With certification comes the validation of ones skills, knowledge, and abilities. If you want to make a difference as an ER Certified Nurse, the first thing you need to qualify for the exam is to hold a current and unrestricted RN License. RegisteredNursing.org Staff Writers | Updated/Verified: Oct 11, 2022, Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs (AGNP), Womens Health Nurse Practitioner Programs, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Adult/Gerontology Primary & Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC and AGACNP-BC), Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (RN-BC), Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (RN-BC), Care Coordination & Transition Management Certification (CCCTN), Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology (AGCNS-BC), Critical Care Nursing Certification (CCRN), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC or FNP-C), Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (CMSRN), Nursing Informatics Certification (RN-BC), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification (CPNP), Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Certification (RN-BC), Public Health Nursing Certification (APHN). Certification can be as broad as adult/gerontology, or as specialized as pediatric oncology. Enroll in Nightingale Colleges BSN program and become a licensed professional! Shop Nightingale College Store. It proves your ability to perform CPR and validates your knowledge and skill with adequately using Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Attending and completing a nursing program or advanced-practice nursing (APRN) program provides a great foundation for nurses. Certification is practically essential for Cardiac Nurses, because of the special assessments, medications, and procedures that are not present in other nursing fields. For each nursing level there are set certifications you can seek. Reasons to Pursue a Masters in Nursing Degree, Direct-Entry Masters in Nursing (MSN) Programs, Online Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Programs, Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Programs, Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs, Online Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) Programs, Online Womens Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs, Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Programs, Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs, Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Programs Online, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC), Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Become a Nurse Practitioner without a BSN, Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse to Physician Assistant Career Switch, 2022s Healthcare Certificate Programs and Courses Online, Nurse Practitioner Prescriptive Authority, Advanced Practice Nursing Certification Fees, Become a Physician Assistant (PA) Education & Requirements, Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) Programs, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE), Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI), Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC), National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC), National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), The National Certification Corporation (NCC), Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), fees associated with obtaining your nursing certification, progressive care nurses (PCCN) may recertify, Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner Board Certified exam, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), American Midwifery Certification Board exam, The National Association of Practical Nurse Education and Service, Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA), Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC), National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO), National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), Prepared Childbirth Educators, Inc. (PCE), The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN), Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Adult, Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC), Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN), Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN). These are some of the most prominent organizations that offer a large number of certifications for nurses: The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) awards comprehensive credentialing for acute and critical care RNs. Center for Continuing and Professional Education, Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosures, Top Nursing Certifications You Should Have in 2022. , lets discuss why having them in the first place has become such an essential part of a nursing career. Advancement: If you decide a career in nursing is a good fit, you can use your CNA certification as a stepping stone toward earning a nursing degree. To achieve ANCC Certification, you must meet the eligibility criteria for the specialty and pass the relevant certification exam. You may want to choose a certifying organization that offers programs accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Listing your RN certifications and credentials correctly on your resume is vital. refers to working with patients outside of the acute care settings. Once you have fulfilled these conditions you can confidently pursue this certification. Public health specialists work toward making communities as healthy as possible. Almost all nursing certifications will require some level of experience and/or education. 1. Accessed November 15, 2022. The very first step towards getting certified is obtaining your nursing license. Whos it for? This certification allows entry-level nursing professionals with RN licensure to learn about case management, care coordination, patient advocacy and healthcare insurance policies. To locate a test center and schedule your certification test, visit ourPrometric Test Centerpage. Seeking nursing certification can be a great way to advance your career, specialize in a field of particular interest to you, and set yourself apart from the competition. Before going after certification, you need to ensure that your license level allows you to pursue it. That means that you can trust us to have reliable, up-to-date information You may obtain certification as a CNA without a degree by completing an approved training program and passing a skills exam. Be sure to check with the organization first. Earning certification in a specific care area is usually required for licensure as an APRN. The value of certification helps all the healthcare industry players: the patients and their families, the employers, and of course the Registered Nurses themselves. Youll typically have to apply to each program separately.. If your career goals involve higher-level positions in the health care field, you might consider a dual degree. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. Earning your LPN/LVN credential is an excellent option if you know youre interested in a career in nursing and want to get started in as little as a year.. This level of specialization almost always requires additional certification. How to get this nursing certification: The American Nurses Credentialing Center is so far the only agency offering Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification. The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing, one of the main credentialing bodies for Emergency nurses, also recommends you have two years of experience before applying for certification. These are only some of the reasons why more than 90% of Nurse Managers prefer hiring certified nurses over their non-certified counterparts. Generally, the certification requirements include holding an unencumbered RN license, having practiced as an RN for at least two years, and a minimum of 2,000 hours of oncology nursing practice. Neonatal nurses earn an average of $127000 per year. If youre ready to take the next step toward a career in health care, explore the health care degree programs available through Coursera. Hospice nursing is a very specialized field requiring special training that goes beyond general nursing. Registered nurses are considered entry-level in most job settings and you can get your RN license with an associate degree in some states. A state-level board of experts reviews an RNs credentials and qualifications and decides whether or not they are eligible for an APRN license. Some specialties dont require certifications, although having one demonstrates that the nurse or APRN has received further education in the care of specific patients, and is considered an "expert" in the field. On the other hand, you may want to work as a general nurse for several years to gain exposure to lots of different nursing fields and work environments before deciding on a path. You should consider your personal career goals and lifestyle as you decide what degree or certification is right for you. (AANPCB) is a credentialing body that caters to aspiring nurses who wish to enter, continue, or advance their NP career. An RN degree (sometimes an advanced degree, like an MSN), an unencumbered RN license, a minimum number of direct-care hours in the specialty, and a certification test are usually all required for a nurse to become certified in an area of care. This is a valuable certification for nurses who wish to pursue high-level leadership positions in a healthcare institution. This list can help you research available . Its important to note that a nursing certification is different from a post-masters certificate program, where a masters-prepared RN receives the necessary education to enter an entirely new advanced specialty without having to complete an additional full-length nursing program. Median annual salaries by level of nurse in 2021 (BLS). Other certifications are based on specialization, like surgery, oncology, pediatrics and others. . RNs interested in this nursing certificate must satisfy various certification requirements and pass the AACN neonatal nursing certification exam. ACLS builds on the BLS foundation, certifying ones ability to recognize and intervene in case of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. . How to get the nursing certification: You need to have an active RN licence to become a certified HIV/AIDS nurse. Renewal proves that you still meet all the eligibility requirements. : This is an excellent choice for RNs interested in technology who want to do their part in bridging the gap between the worlds of nursing and IT. Certainly certification is also a game-changer for nurses. Certification in this field is often necessary. This ensures that nurses have recent and relevant experience necessary for recertification. Most MSN programs take around two years of full-time study to complete. Finding the nursing job of your dreams straight after school might prove challenging, even though the need for nurses is through the roof due to the, . Some certifications are based on career level, with specific certifications for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) holders and otherAdvanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), some for Registered Nurses (RN), some for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA) and more. Need certification verification? starting with CNAs, LPN Nurses, and moving up to MSN-trained APRNs. You need to have worked for two years as a full-time Registered Nurse. However, as weve already mentioned, receiving certification is an. Tips for Success, trying an open course from a top university, Career options for nurses: Opportunities and options, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, Crafting an Impressive Project Manager Cover Letter, Examples of Successful UX Designer Resumes, How to Show Management Skills on Your Resume, Learn How Long Your Cover Letter Should Be, Learn How to Include Certifications on a Resume, Write a Standout Data Analyst Cover Letter, Crafting the Perfect Follow-up Email After an Interview, Strengths and Weaknesses Interview Questions. Because of the incredible variety of responsibilities, its an excellent decision for RNs to get certified in Ambulatory Care. "Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm." Requirements: Hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license. 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