You must meet certain educational and experience requirements in order to obtain a nursing certification. Only state-licensed registered nurses are eligible for nursing certification. A nursing certification’s purpose is to provide a specific level of education in a medical specialty.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), one of the most well-known credentialing organizations in the United States, manages and issues nursing certification. A combination of education and clinical experience is required for certification. Nurses can work in a specialty without certification, but with the right nursing certification, they can earn more money.
The ANCC offers a variety of nursing certificates for various types of registered nurses. Nurse practitioners have completed additional nursing education and are able to provide a higher level of care. NP appears after the name of the specialty on all nursing certificates issued to nurse practitioners.
Clinical nurses have specialized training and experience in a specific patient population or illness. Clinical nurse specialists’ nursing certifications all end in “CNS,” which stands for clinical nurse specialists. Advanced level certificates in more specialized areas, such as diabetes management, forensics nursing, and nurse executive, are also available.
To obtain a nursing certification, choose the certificate you want from the list of options available to you. Each course syllabus includes a course outline, required materials, and a list of schools that will offer the course. Online options are becoming increasingly popular because they allow you to study on your own time.
Choose the most convenient course delivery method for you, register for the course with the ANCC, and pay the required fee. Take advantage of the additional resources available as you work through the course material. Study groups, multiple choice test banks, online review seminars, and weekend review courses are examples of these.
Make a date for the exam for the course you’re taking and sit for it. A nursing certification course must be passed with a minimum score of 70%. Within six to eight weeks, you will receive your results in the mail.
Provide a copy of the certificate to your human resources department once you’ve completed the course. Notify your boss that you have received your nursing certification. While certified nurses earn more money on average, you may need to change jobs to take advantage of your credentials.