Nursing certifications are more than just credentials on a resume. They have a far-reaching, long-lasting impact on nurses and patients alike.
Marianne Horahan, MBA, MPH, RN, CPHQ, NEA-BC, CAE, Senior Director of Certification Services and Customer Service at the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), said the benefits of certification start as soon as nurses begin studying for the exam and continue to grow throughout their careers.
While studying for an exam, nurses fill in knowledge gaps. Upon achieving nursing certifications, the accomplishment impacts care and much more.
“For nurses, there is a badge of pride in knowing they are competent within their specialty,” Horahan said. She added that employers benefit because their nurses are current on the latest advancements in their specialty practice and patients benefit from having more competent and confident nurses.
Nursing certifications can also spark a desire to continue on a lifelong career development path to additional certifications.
“A nurse holding multiple certifications can demonstrate a broader breadth of knowledge and expertise,” Horahan said.
For example, she explained, a nurse leader on an elder care unit could become certified as a nurse executive and in gerontological nursing to demonstrate competence in the clinical and leadership specialties. A nurse who is certified in med-surg and psychiatric-mental health nursing can better navigate the care of a med-surg patient with psychiatric comorbidities.
Certifications to consider
So what are your certification options?
Based on your specialty, the avenues for career development can be vast.
In some cases, nurses who are members of a specialty nursing association can earn a discount on the cost for certification or recertification applications. And Nurse.com offers certification test prep courses that can help nurses prepare for the exam.
We’ve compiled a list of 50 nursing certifications that can expand your career options and your skill set.
1. Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
- Administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
- Prepare for the CCRN certification online with our Adult Critical Care Certification Review Course.
- Acute and critical care nurses have seven different certifications to choose from in their specialty. Adult, pediatric, and neonatal certifications are available for RNs and APRNs who provide or influence direct care. An adult teleICU option is offered for nurses working remotely with acute or critically ill patients.
2. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Administered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
- Prepare for the CEN certification online with our Emergency Nurse Certification Review Course.
- Two years of emergency nursing experience are recommended but not required. Nurses with a CEN credential can demonstrate clinical practice expertise and are better prepared for lifelong learning opportunities, professional development, and overall career success, according to the BCEN.
3. Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
- Administered by the BCEN.
- Prepare for the TCRN certification online with our Trauma Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This certification validates specialized knowledge in trauma assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, and ongoing management of patients with traumatic injuries. Eligibility requires an active RN license, and while practice hours aren’t required, hands-on trauma nursing experience is strongly recommended.
4. Certified Burn Registered Nurse (CBRN)
- Administered by the BCEN.
- Prepare for the CBRN certification online with our catalog of wound and burn care courses.
- Designed for nurses who specialize in the care of patients with burn injuries across the continuum of care, this certification validates expertise in burn assessment, wound and skin management, fluid resuscitation, pain control, infection prevention, surgical and non-surgical burn care, and psychosocial support. Like other certifications through BCEN, practice hours aren’t required, but at least two years of professional experience in burn nursing is recommended.
5. Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)
- Administered by the BCEN.
- Prepare for the CFRN certification online with our Flight Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for nurses who provide advanced nursing care in air medical transport settings, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. It validates expertise in critical care, trauma management, emergency stabilization, and patient transport in high-acuity, unpredictable environments. Eligibility requires an active RN license, and while not mandatory, substantial experience in emergency, critical care, or flight nursing is suggested.
6. Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN)
- Administered by the BCEN.
- Prepare for the CTRN certification online with our Transport Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This certification validates expertise in advanced assessment, stabilization, and management of high-acuity patients during interfacility and specialty transport. Eligibility requires an active RN license, and while not mandatory, experience in critical care, emergency, or transport nursing is encouraged.
7. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the FNP-BC certification online with our Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Review Course.
- FNPs often work in primary care settings and care for patients at all stages of life. The requirements include an MSN degree or higher, along with 500 hours (minimum) of clinical hours of supervised direct patient care.
8. Progressive Care Nursing (PCCN)
- Administered by the AACN.
- Prepare for the PCCN certification online with our Adult Critical Care Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for nurses who care for acute adult patients who need a higher level of care but not in an intensive care unit. Direct care and educator or preceptor career pathways are available, and both require a level of verifiable practice hours.
9. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the PMH-BC certification online with our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for nurses who provide mental healthcare across the lifespan, including assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of psychiatric disorders. Eligible roles include direct care clinicians, case managers, and educators, all of whom require a minimum of 2,000 documented clinical practice hours in psychiatric-mental health nursing and 30 hours of continuing education in this specialty, both within the last three years.
10. Academic Nurse Educator (CNE)
- Administered by the National League for Nursing (NLN).
- Prepare for the CNE certification online with our catalog of courses on nurse education.
- Accredited in 2009, the NLN’s Certified Nurse Educator program creates a means for nursing faculty to demonstrate expertise in their role. CNEs educate future nurses in a variety of settings, including universities, technical schools, hospitals, and two- and four-year colleges.
11. Nurse Executive (NE-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the NE-BC certification online with our catalog of courses on nursing leadership and the NE-BC: Certification Review Practice Test.
- For nurses seeking a high-level leadership position, this certification could be required to advance into certain roles. A baccalaureate degree or higher is among the requirements.
12. Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
- Administered by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
- Prepare for the CNML certification with our Nurse Manager and Leader Review Course.
- For nurse managers and frontline nursing leaders who oversee clinical operations and nursing teams, this validates expertise in leadership, financial and human resource management, quality and safety outcomes, communication, and professional practice evaluation. Eligibility requires an active RN license and documented leadership or management experience in a healthcare setting (2,080 hours of experience in a nurse manager role or 4,160 hours of experience in a nursing leadership role).
13. Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the NPD-C certification with our Nursing Professional Development Certification Review Course.
- This certification validates expertise in adult learning principles, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, change management, and professional role competence. Eligibility requires an active RN license and 2,000 hours of documented clinical practice in nursing professional development and 30 hours of continuing education in the same area, both within the last three years.
14. Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
- Administered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC).
- Prepare for the OCN certification online with our Oncology Nursing Certification Test Prep Course.
- With an OCN certification, nurses can use the most updated research and trends to help advance clinical treatments for patients with cancer. Two thousand hours (minimum) of adult oncology nursing practice, two years of RN experience, and 10 hours of continuing oncology education or an elective course in oncology nursing are required.
15. Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
- Administered by the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI).
- Prepare for the CNOR certification online with our CNOR Certification Review Course.
- Two years (minimum) and 2,400 hours of perioperative experience are required to apply for the exam. The CNOR credential is held by more than 40,000 nurses across the globe.
16. Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI)
- Administered by the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC).
- Prepare for the CRNI certification online with our Infusion Nursing Certification Review Course.
- For nurses who specialize in infusion therapy across acute care, outpatient, home care, and ambulatory settings, this further validates expertise in vascular access device selection and management, infusion therapy administration, complication prevention, infection control, and patient education. Eligibility requires an active RN license and a minimum of 1,600 hours of clinical in infusion therapy as an RN in the last two years.
17. Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the GERO-BC certification online with our Gerontological Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for nursing professionals who care for older adults across acute, ambulatory, and long-term care settings. It confirms expertise in managing chronic conditions, promoting healthy aging, coordinating interdisciplinary care, and supporting patients and families. Eligibility requires 2,000 documented clinical practice hours in gerontological nursing and 30 hours of continuing education in the specialty in the last three years.
18. Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- Administered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB).
- Prepare for the CMSRN certification online with our Medical Surgical Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Med-surg nurses can build and demonstrate commitment, confidence, and credibility through this certification, which became available more than two decades ago. More than 30,000 nurses in the specialty are certified.
19. Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
- Administered by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB).
- Prepare for the CWCN certification online with our Wound Care Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Nearly 2.5% of the U.S. population has had their quality of life impacted by a chronic wound. Certification candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and complete one of three Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board educational pathways.
20. Wound Care Certified (WCC)
- Administered by the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO).
- Prepare for the WCC certification online with the Wound Care Education Institute’s (WCEI) Skin and Wound Management Course.
- For nurses who provide wound care across a variety of healthcare settings, including acute care, long-term care, and outpatient clinics, the WCC certification reinforces knowledge in wound assessment, treatment planning, infection prevention, and healing modalities. Eligibility requires completion of approved wound care education and verifiable clinical experience in wound care.
21. Ostomy Management Specialist (OMS)
- Administered by NAWCO.
- Prepare for the OMS certification with WCEI’s Ostomy Management Course.
- For nurses caring for patients with ostomies across acute care, outpatient, and long-term care settings, this highlights an expertise in ostomy assessment, appliance selection and management, peristomal skin care, patient and caregiver education, and complication prevention. Eligibility requires an active nursing license, completion of approved ostomy education, and verifiable clinical experience in ostomy care.
22. Certified Ostomy Care Nurse
- Administered by the WOCNCB.
- Prepare for the COCN certification online with our Ostomy Care Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Like OMS, this certification is designed for nurses who specialize in ostomy care for patients, validating expertise in ostomy assessment, stoma and peristomal skin management, pouching systems, complication prevention, and patient and caregiver education. Eligibility requires an active RN license and completion of a WOCNCB-accredited education program with supervised clinical experience in ostomy nursing.
23. Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN)
- Administered by the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN).
- Prepare for the SCRN certification online with our Stroke Certified RN Certification Review Course.
- Certification can expand a nurse’s expertise in stroke care while offering patients hyperacute, acute, and post-acute care, as well as secondary and preventative care. RNs must have one year of full-time direct or indirect stroke nurse experience (2,080 hours) in the past three years to apply.
24. Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
- Administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
- Prepare for the CPN certification online with our Pediatric Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Taking the certification exam requires nurses to follow one of two education pathways and have a diploma, associate degree, or higher. The CPN offers increased knowledge in the field and opportunities for advancement.
25. Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and Certified Midwife (CM)
- Administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
- Prepare for the CNM or CM certifications online with our catalog of women’s health courses.
- Designed for APRNs and midwives who provide comprehensive primary and reproductive healthcare to women at all stages of life, this certification validates expertise in prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care, as well as gynecologic services, family planning, and health promotion. Eligibility requires completion of an AMCB-accredited nurse-midwifery or midwifery education program and successful completion of the national certification exam.
26. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- Administered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).
- Prepare for the IBCLC certification online with our Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Certification Review Course.
- For nurses seeking a specialization in lactation and breastfeeding support, this certification will validate advanced knowledge in human lactation, infant feeding, maternal and infant assessment, and counseling to support breastfeeding families. Eligibility pathways require a combination of health sciences education, lactation-specific education, and supervised clinical practice hours in lactation care.
27. Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
- Administered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
- Prepare for the RNC-MNN certification online with our Maternal-Newborn Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for nurses who provide care to mothers and newborns during the postpartum period, showcasing knowledge in maternal recovery, newborn assessment and adaptation, breastfeeding and lactation support, family-centered care, and the management of common postpartum and neonatal conditions. Eligibility requires an active RN license and 2,000 documented clinical practice hours in maternal-newborn nursing, as well as employment in the specialty in the last two years.
28. Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC)
- Administered by the NCC.
- Prepare for the RNC-NIC online with our Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Certification Review.
- Designed for nurses who provide specialized care to critically ill and high-risk neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), this highlights the specialized knowledge and skill in advanced neonatal assessment, respiratory and cardiovascular management, developmental care, family-centered support, and the management of complex neonatal conditions. Eligibility requires an active RN license and 2,000 documented clinical practice hours in neonatal intensive care nursing, as well as employment in the specialty in the last two years.
29. Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN)
- Administered by the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC).
- Prepare for the CCTN certification online with our Transplant Nursing Certification Review.
- For nurses caring for solid organ transplant patients across the transplant continuum, including pre-transplant evaluation, perioperative care, and long-term post-transplant management. this shows an expertise in immunosuppressive therapy, rejection and infection monitoring, patient and family education, care coordination, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Eligibility requires an active RN license and documented clinical practice hours in transplant nursing.
30. Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification (RNC-OB)
- Administered by the NCC.
- Prepare for the RNC-OB certification online with our Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Advanced specialty expertise and being equipped to provide a higher level of care are two benefits of obstetric nursing certification. Among the eligibility requirements are two years of experience in the specialty, comprised of 2,000 hours (minimum) working as an RN.
31. Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN)
- Administered by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
- Prepare for the CBN certification online with our Bariatric Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This demonstrates an expertise in preoperative assessment, postoperative care, long-term weight management, patient education, and the management of obesity-related comorbidities. Eligibility requires an active RN license and two years of documented clinical experience caring for bariatric patients across the continuum of care.
32. Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the CV-BC certification online with our catalog of courses on cardiology.
- Specializing in the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with heart disease, cardiac-vascular nurses can achieve certification via a competency-based exam. CV-BC nurses also work with patients to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and offer education on maintaining their vascular system.
33. Orthopaedic Nurse Certification (ONC)
- Administered by the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB).
- Prepare for the ONC certification online with our Orthopedic Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Advancing the care of orthopaedic patients, ONC certification promotes excellence in specialty practice by encouraging professional development and clinical practice. The requirements include at least 1,000 hours working in an orthopaedic nursing setting within the last three years.
34. Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)
- Administered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC).
- Prepare for the CDN certification online with our Nephrology Nursing and Dialysis Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Dialysis nurses use multiple types of machinery, as well as strong assessment skills, to provide care that supports patients with limited renal function. Certification requirements include 2,000 hours in nephrology nursing care for patients who may require dialysis.
35. Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC)
- Administered by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC).
- Prepare for the LNCC certification online with our catalog of courses on nursing law.
- Sitting for the certification exam requires 2,000 hours of work in a legal nurse consulting role. That work can be done in a variety of ways, including as analysts, collaborators, strategists, researchers, and educators in legal matters.
36. Certified Case Manager (CCM)
- Administered by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC).
- Prepare for the CCM certification online with our Nursing Case Management Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for RNs who specialize in case management, demonstrating competency in coordinating patient-centered care across complex healthcare settings, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. Eligibility includes holding an active RN license, a minimum amount of RN experience, and clinical practice in nursing case management (which varies based on the pathway chosen).
37. Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS)
- Administered by the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS).
- Prepare for the CCDS certification online with our Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist Certification Review Course.
- This certification showcases the knowledge and skill in reviewing medical records, ensuring accurate and complete provider documentation, supporting quality reporting, and facilitating appropriate reimbursement. Eligibility requires relevant professional experience in clinical documentation improvement and demonstrated knowledge of clinical conditions, coding guidelines, and regulatory standards.
38. Certified Infection Control Nurse (CIC)
- Administered by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).
- Prepare for the CIC certification online with our Infection Control Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Through certification, infection control, and prevention, nurses can advance the profession and their careers. Nurses with a CIC credential often are better prepared to interpret evidence and serve as champions for key infection prevention efforts.
39. Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN)
- Administered by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation, and the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center.
- Prepare for the CHPN certification online with our Hospice and Palliative Nursing Certification Review Course.
- Designed for experienced RNs in hospice and palliative care, the certification requires 500 hours of practice in the field in the 12 months before taking the exam. CHPNs exhibit increased confidence and competence in their practice and have a greater understanding of the specialty’s current body of knowledge.
40. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
- Administered by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN).
- Prepare for the SANE certification online with our catalog of courses on forensic nursing.
- The IAFN offers two certifications for nurses who provide care for survivors of sexual assault — adult/adolescent (SANE-A) and pediatric (SANE-P). Two years of clinical practice as an RN are required to apply for this certification.
41. Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the NI-BC certification online with our Nursing Informatics Certification Review Course.
- The NI-BC merges with both nursing and technology. Informatics nurses enhance quality of care in multiple ways, including reducing errors, improving information flow, enhancing patient record storage, saving time, and empowering patients with access to their entire medical history. Eligibility requirements include an active RN license, two years working full time as an RN, 30 hours of continuing education in informatics nursing in the last three years, and documented clinical practice hours that vary based on the pathway.
42. Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the AMB-BC certification online with our Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course.
- The certification will strengthen an ambulatory care nurse’s knowledge on the five Domains of Practice — Clinical Practice, Communications, Professional Role, Systems/Legal and Regulatory, and Education, according to the ANCC. The exam also contains an enhanced component on telehealth.
43. Advanced Diabetes Management (ADM-BC)
- Administered by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES).
- Prepare for the ADM-BC certification online with our catalog of courses on diabetes education.
- RNs and other healthcare professionals can showcase their expertise in caring for patients with diabetes through this certification. A master’s degree or higher is required, along with 500 clinical practice hours in diabetes management.
44. Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDES)
- Administered by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE).
- Prepare for the CDCES certification online with our Diabetes Educator Certification Review Course.
- This certification supports nursing professionals who specialize in educating and supporting patients with diabetes and prediabetes. It highlights the skill set of diabetes self-management education, medication management, lifestyle counseling, and risk reduction strategies. Eligibility requires documented professional practice hours providing diabetes care and education, depending on the pathway chosen.
45. Board Certified Holistic Nurse (HN-BC)
- Administered by the American Holistic Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC).
- Prepare for the HN-BC certification online with our catalog of courses on holistic nursing.
- Designed for non-Baccalaureate RNs, the HN-BC certification focuses on nursing practice that facilitates the health, wellness, and well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities, and the global level. Requirements include 48 hours of continuing education in holistic nursing philosophy, theory, practice, research, related concepts, health, and care.
46. Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
- Administered by the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB).
- Prepare for the CRRN certification online with our Rehabilitation Registered Nurse Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for nurses who specialize in rehabilitation nursing across inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings, demonstrating skill in caring for patients with physical disabilities, chronic illness, and functional impairments, with a focus on maximizing independence, mobility, self-care, and quality of life. Eligibility requires an active RN license and documented clinical practice hours in rehabilitation nursing.
47. Pain Management Nursing Certification (PMGT-BC)
- Administered by the ANCC.
- Prepare for the PMGT-BC certification with our Pain Management Nurse Certification Review Course.
- Designed for nurses who specialize in pain management across different healthcare settings, this reinforces an expertise in pain assessment, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient and family education, and the management of acute, chronic, and end-of-life pain. Eligibility requires an active RN license and documented clinical practice hours in pain management nursing.
48. Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN)
- Administered by the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN).
- Prepare for the CGRN certification online with our Gastroenterology Nursing Certification Review Course.
- For nurses who specialize in gastroenterology and endoscopy care, this validates knowledge and skill in the assessment and management of gastrointestinal disorders, pre-, intra-, and post-procedure endoscopy care, sedation monitoring, infection prevention, and patient education. Eligibility requires an active RN license, employment in an institutional or private practice setting (full-time for two years or part-time for five years) that equates to 4,000 clinical practice hours in GI/endoscopy care.
49. Certified Urologic Registered Nurse (CURN)
- Administered by the Certification Board for Urologic Nurses & Associates (CBUNA).
- Prepare for the CURN certification online with our Urology Nursing Certification Review Course.
- This certification is designed for nurses who specialize in urologic care. It shows an expertise in the assessment and management of urologic conditions, perioperative and procedural care, continence management, patient education, and coordination of care for patients with acute and chronic urologic disorders. Eligibility requires completion of a nationally accredited nursing program, an active RN license, and at least two years of working as an RN, with a minimum of 800 clinical practice hours caring for urologic patients in the last three years.
50. Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN)
- Administered by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN).
- Prepare for the CHFN certification online with our catalog of courses on cardiac care.
- This demonstrates an expertise in heart failure pathophysiology, evidence-based management, pharmacologic and device therapies, symptom monitoring, patient and caregiver education, and care coordination. Eligibility requires an active RN license, a minimum of 1,200 clinical practice hours caring for patients with heart failure in the last two years, and 30 hours of accredited continuing education, with 15 of those hours specific to heart failure.
Conclusion
Nursing certifications demonstrate a nurse's expertise and commitment to evidence-based practice, and that’s recognized by the ANCC annually on March 19 — Certified Nurses Day. By obtaining and maintaining these certifications, nurses stay current with the latest advancements in healthcare and ensure they’re equipped to provide the highest quality care.
