Nursing certification demonstrates a level of expertise in a specific discipline of nursing. According to the American Board of Nursing Specialties, more than 1 million nurses hold one or more nursing specialty credentials. In addition, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, there are more than 431,000 board-certified nurse practitioners in the U.S. working in various primary care and acute care specialties.

If you enjoy a specific nursing discipline, getting certified in that specialty may help you reach your goals. Learn what earning a nursing certification entails and how it could benefit you.

What Are Nursing Certifications?

Nursing certifications are credentials that validate specialized expertise in areas such as oncology, pediatric nursing, or nursing leadership. These specialty nursing certifications formally recognize advanced knowledge and clinical competence within specific nursing practice areas. By obtaining these credentials, nurses demonstrate dedication to professional growth and validate proficiency in high-demand specialties.

Certification programs are created or sponsored by professional associations and specialty nursing certification boards. Certifications are typically earned through an assessment process, such as a certification exam. These credentials are nationally recognized and portable, meaning the nurse can utilize the knowledge and skills associated with certification in many different roles.

Many credentials also mandate periodic certification renewal through continuing nursing education or retesting to ensure up-to-date expertise.

Why Should You Obtain a Nursing Certification?

1. Certification Promotes Professionalism and Clinical Competence

Earning a nursing certification shows a commitment to excellence. It demonstrates that you are dedicated to a specific subject area and that you took the time to educate yourself further in the field. Many hospitals and physicians' offices may also encourage employees to pursue certifications in their chosen fields.

2. Certification Can Broaden and Diversify Employment Opportunities

Certification can also provide more opportunities for further educational and career advancement. It shows that you meet national standards, which is attractive to employers.

Certified nurses can work in various settings and with many different patient groups. Dozens of certifications are available for nurses to earn and maintain, including family nurse practitioner (FNP), certified pediatric nurse (CPN), advanced oncology certified nurse (AOCN), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP).

3. Certification Can Improve Your Confidence

Getting certified is more than just a confirmation of your knowledge. It’s an indication of your competence and performance to administrators, colleagues, managers, and patients. This certification can also boost nurses’ confidence in their own decision-making, which can lead to improved job performance.

After spending hours providing high-quality care, being certified is a validation of expertise.

How Does Nurse Certification Improve Patient Care?

Certification is closely tied to improved patient care, according to several reputable organizations:

  • A study published in the American Journal of Critical Care noted, “Certification promotes professionalism by bolstering commitment and accountability for ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.”
  • The American Association of Neuroscience Nurses reports that certification benefits patients across a variety of nursing specialties, including emergency, critical care, rehabilitation, oncology, neuroscience, hospice, and medical-surgical.
  • Research from the Journal of Nursing Administration highlights that certified nurses experience greater job satisfaction, while their patients benefit from enhanced safety, fewer infections, and reduced mortality rates compared to care from non-certified nurses.

What Nursing Certifications Are Available?

With 44 boards of nursing certification offering almost 150 specialized credentials, nurses have plenty of opportunities to find relevant certifications. Whether you’re drawn to emergency nursing, hospice nursing, or holistic nursing, identifying your preferred specialty is the first step to narrowing down options.

Don’t know where to start? Try these quick guides:

While specialties and certifications are different, there is often much crossover, and those lists can be good places to start.

How to Earn a Nursing Certification

Specialty nursing certification is a three-step process:

  1. Review the education requirements for the certification you wish to pursue. In many cases, a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing is one requirement of eligibility. The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN-to-BSN program and the online Master of Science in Nursing program at Purdue Global are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  1. Find the credentialing center for the certification. One leading nursing credentialing center is the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which offers a wide variety of specialty certifications. Many health care associations also offer nursing certification programs in their field of expertise. You can also use the list of certification boards in the next section to find the certification that interests you most and check the eligibility requirements.
  1. Prepare for and pass the certification exam. Study the exam handbook, take the practice tests, and join a study group, either online or in person, to help you prepare for the exam. You must pass the exam to earn your certification. After you have passed the final exam and earned your nursing certificate, it is usually valid for about 5 years, after which you will need to renew it.

List of Certification Boards

The following is a list of credentialing agencies for a variety of nursing specialties:

Earn Your Nursing Degree at Purdue Global

Before earning any nursing certifications, you need to be educated in the field, and you may even want to earn an advanced degree. Purdue Global’s School of Nursing offers online nursing degrees at various levels, including doctorate, master's, bachelor's, and associate nursing degrees as well as certificates. Request information today to get on the path to earning a nursing degree.

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About the Author

Purdue Global

Earn a degree you're proud of and employers respect at Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. Accredited and online, Purdue Global gives you the flexibility and support you need to come back and move your career forward. Choose from 175+ programs, all backed by the power of Purdue.

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