Top 10 Assistant Nurse Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an assistant nurse manager in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and knowledge of the profession. They can also help to give employers confidence that the individual has the necessary qualifications and experience to fill the position. Certifications can also provide recognition in the field, allowing an assistant nurse manager to stand out among other applicants. Additionally, certification may be required in some states or organizations, making it necessary for those seeking employment as assistant nurse managers to possess certain certifications.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications available for assistant nurse managers and explain how they can help advance an assistant nurse manager's career.

What are Assistant Nurse Manager Certifications?

Assistant Nurse Manager Certification (ANMC) is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of registered nurses who have demonstrated the ability to lead and manage nursing teams in a variety of settings. The ANMC certification can be obtained through successful completion of an approved training program, typically offered by professional organizations or specialized schools. This certification is designed to provide nurses with the necessary skills to effectively manage and lead nursing teams, as well as ensure quality patient care.

Having an ANMC certification provides nurses with an additional layer of credibility when it comes to their job prospects, as employers know they are qualified and knowledgeable in the field. Furthermore, having this certification may open up opportunities for promotion or higher-level positions within an organization. Additionally, obtaining this certification increases one’s marketability when seeking employment outside of their current place of work. Finally, having this certification may also qualify nurses for higher salaries or other benefits from employers.

Pro Tip: When considering assistant nurse manager certification, be sure to research the requirements of the certifying body you are looking into. Some certifications may require additional education or experience beyond what is necessary for basic nursing licensure. Additionally, many certifying bodies require renewal of the certification every few years, so plan ahead and budget accordingly.

Related: What does an Assistant Nurse Manager do?

Top 10 Assistant Nurse Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Assistant Nurse Managers today.

1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic care to patients in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health care. CNAs are responsible for helping patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. They also measure vital signs such as temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate.

It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. The process involves completing a state-approved CNA training program and passing the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam. Training programs vary in length depending on the state you live in but generally include at least 75 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of clinical experience.

To get certified as a CNA you must complete an approved training program and pass the NNAAP exam. After completing your training program you must apply for certification through your state's board of nursing or department of health services. You may also need to submit fingerprints for background checks and pay any applicable fees before receiving your certification.

The cost of becoming a CNA varies by state but can range from $500-$2000 depending on the type of program you choose and if you need to take additional courses or exams to meet certification requirements.

2. Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)

Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) is a professional certification offered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB). This certification is designed to recognize nurses who have achieved a high level of expertise in medical-surgical nursing. It demonstrates that a nurse has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care for patients with medical-surgical conditions.

To become certified, nurses must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. To be eligible, nurses must have an active RN license and at least two years of full-time experience as an RN in medical-surgical nursing within the last five years. The exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost for the CMSRN exam varies depending on when it is taken, but typically ranges from $200-$400. There are also additional fees associated with taking the exam, such as registration fees and proctoring fees. Additionally, there may be additional costs related to studying for the exam or attending review courses or seminars.

Once certified, nurses must renew their certification every five years by completing continuing education activities related to medical-surgical nursing and paying a renewal fee.

3. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) is a certification offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). The CEN designation is a professional credential that recognizes emergency nurses who demonstrate expertise in the specialty practice of emergency nursing.

The CEN certification process takes approximately 4-6 months to complete. To become certified, you must meet the eligibility requirements, which include having an active RN license and at least two years of full-time emergency nursing experience within the past three years. You must also pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as patient assessment, trauma management, medical emergencies, and pediatric emergencies.

To get started with the CEN certification process, you will need to register with BCEN and pay an application fee. The fee for first-time applicants is $395 USD plus applicable taxes. Once your application has been approved, you will be able to schedule your exam date and pay the exam fee of $285 USD plus applicable taxes.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CEN certificate from BCEN and can start using the CEN designation after your name on all professional documents.

4. Certified Ambulatory Care Nurse (CACN)

A Certified Ambulatory Care Nurse (CACN) is a nurse who has specialized in the care of patients in an ambulatory setting. This includes clinics, physician offices, and other outpatient settings. CACN certification is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

To become certified as a CACN, nurses must have a current RN license and at least 2 years of experience in ambulatory care nursing. They must also have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education related to ambulatory care nursing within the last 3 years. Additionally, they must pass an exam administered by ANCC.

The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as patient safety, health promotion, evidence-based practice, and clinical decision making. The cost for taking the exam is $295 for members of ANCC and $345 for non-members. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center and takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

Once the exam has been passed, nurses will receive their CACN certification which is valid for 5 years before needing to be renewed. Renewal requires 50 hours of continuing education related to ambulatory care nursing within the 5 year period prior to renewal.

5. Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)

Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) is a professional certification for nurses who are looking to advance their career. This certification is awarded by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of nurse executives, who are responsible for leading and managing nursing departments within healthcare organizations.

To become certified in Executive Nursing Practice, an individual must have a current, valid RN license and at least five years of experience in a management or leadership role within a healthcare organization. The CENP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as organizational theory, financial management, human resources management, patient safety, quality improvement, legal issues, and information technology. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of becoming certified in Executive Nursing Practice varies depending on the individual's location and other factors. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 to take the exam and receive certification.

Once an individual has successfully passed the CENP exam they will be awarded with a certificate that is valid for five years from the date it was issued. During this time period individuals must maintain their RN license as well as complete continuing education courses related to executive nursing practice in order to renew their certification.

6. Certified Nursing Informatics Specialist (CNIS)

A Certified Nursing Informatics Specialist (CNIS) is a healthcare professional who specializes in the use of technology to improve patient care. They are responsible for developing, implementing, and managing information systems that support nursing practice and patient care. The CNIS credential is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

To become a CNIS, you must have an active RN license, two years of relevant experience in nursing informatics, and complete 30 hours of continuing education related to nursing informatics. You will also need to pass the ANCC's Nursing Informatics Certification Exam. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as health information technology, data management and analytics, communication and collaboration technologies, leadership and project management.

The cost of becoming a CNIS varies depending on your state or country. Generally speaking, the cost includes the application fee ($295), exam fee ($395), and any additional fees associated with continuing education courses or other requirements.

Once you have successfully completed all requirements for certification, you will be awarded the title “Certified Nursing Informatics Specialist” (CNIS). This credential is valid for five years from the date of issue.

7. Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA)

Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) is a certification program developed by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to provide quality professionals with a comprehensive understanding of quality improvement principles and techniques. The CQIA certification provides recognition of an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the areas of quality improvement, problem solving, process management and customer satisfaction.

The CQIA certification requires successful completion of a two-day course and passing an exam. The course covers topics such as quality management systems, statistical process control, process improvement methods, root cause analysis, design of experiments and customer satisfaction measurement.

To get the CQIA certification, you must first complete the two-day training course offered by ASQ or one of its approved providers. After completing the course, you must then pass the CQIA exam with a score of at least 70%. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CQIA certificate from ASQ.

The cost for taking the two-day training course varies depending on where it is taken and who provides it. Generally speaking, it should cost between $1,000-$2,000 USD for both days of training plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam.

8. American Nurses Credentialing Center's Nurse Executive Advanced Certification

The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC) is a credential for nurses who have achieved an advanced level of nursing leadership and management. It is designed to recognize the expertise and experience of nurse executives, and it is the highest level of certification available through the ANCC. The NEA-BC credential validates a nurse executive’s ability to lead, manage, and improve patient care delivery systems.

To be eligible for this certification, nurses must have a current, unencumbered RN license; hold a master’s degree in nursing or health care administration; have at least two years of full-time nursing leadership experience; and complete 45 hours of continuing education in nursing administration within the past three years.

The process to obtain the NEA-BC credential includes completing an online application form, paying a fee (currently $395), providing proof of eligibility requirements such as licensure and transcripts, passing an exam administered by Pearson VUE testing centers, and agreeing to abide by the ANCC Code of Ethics. The entire process typically takes 4–6 weeks from start to finish.

9. American Organization of Nurse Executives' Certification for Nurse Managers and Leaders

The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Certification for Nurse Managers and Leaders is a voluntary certification program that recognizes the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities of nurse managers and leaders. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to professional development and excellence in their field.

To obtain the AONE Certification for Nurse Managers and Leaders, individuals must have a current, unrestricted RN license in the United States or Canada; have at least three years of experience as a nurse manager or leader; have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education related to nursing management or leadership within the past five years; and pass a comprehensive examination. The exam consists of 150 questions covering topics such as organizational theory, human resources management, financial management, quality improvement, legal issues, communication strategies, change management, and professional development.

The cost to take the exam is $395 for members of AONE or $495 for non-members. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete. Once successfully passed, individuals are certified for four years before needing to recertify. Recertification requires completion of 40 hours of continuing education related to nursing management or leadership within the past four years prior to recertification application deadline date.

10. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' Certification for Acute and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialists

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' (AACN) Certification for Acute and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS-AC) is a voluntary certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and experience of CNSs who provide care in acute and critical care settings. The CNS-AC credential is recognized by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS).

To be eligible for the AACN Certification for Acute and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialists, applicants must meet certain requirements. These include: having a current RN license; having an accredited master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis on acute or critical care; completing at least 500 hours of clinical practice as an advanced practice nurse in acute or critical care within the past two years; and passing the CNS-AC exam.

The CNS-AC exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient assessment, diagnosis, management, communication, leadership, research utilization, and professional development. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost of taking the CNS-AC exam is $295 for AACN members and $395 for nonmembers. Additional fees may apply if you need to reschedule your exam or retake it.

Once you have successfully passed the CNS-AC exam, you will receive your certification from AACN. You will then be able to use the credential “CNS-AC” after your name when practicing as a clinical nurse specialist in acute or critical care settings. Your certification is valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

Do You Really Need a Assistant Nurse Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual career goals. If you are looking to advance in your nursing career, then an Assistant Nurse Manager Certificate can be beneficial. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to take on a leadership role in a healthcare setting. Additionally, if you are interested in pursuing a position as an assistant nurse manager, having a certificate can make you more competitive in the job market as it shows that you have the necessary qualifications for the job.

However, if you are already working in an assistant nurse manager role and do not plan to pursue additional roles or promotions, then obtaining an Assistant Nurse Manager Certificate may not be necessary. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if earning the certificate will help further your career goals.

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FAQs About Assistant Nurse Manager Certifications

1. How do I become an Assistant Nurse Manager?

Answer: To become an Assistant Nurse Manager, you must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing and at least three years of experience in a clinical setting. You may also need to obtain additional certifications or licenses depending on the state you are working in.

2. What is the purpose of an Assistant Nurse Manager certification?

Answer: The purpose of an Assistant Nurse Manager certification is to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to properly manage a nursing unit or department. This certification can help employers recognize your qualifications and provide assurance that you are capable of leading and managing nurses effectively.

3. What types of certifications are available for Assistant Nurse Managers?

Answer: There are several different types of certifications available for Assistant Nurse Managers, including Certified Nursing Administrator (CNA), Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMM), Certified Nursing Executive (CNE), and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certifications.

4. Is there a fee to obtain an Assistant Nurse Manager certification?

Answer: Yes, there is typically a fee associated with obtaining any type of certification, including those for Assistant Nurse Managers. The fees vary depending on the type of certification and provider offering the program, so it’s important to research each option before making a decision.

5. How long does it take to obtain an Assistant Nurse Manager certification?

Answer: The time frame for obtaining an Assistant Nurse Manager certification varies depending on which type of certification you choose and how quickly you can complete the required courses and/or exams. Generally speaking, most programs range from 6 months to 2 years in length, but some can be completed more quickly or take longer than this time frame if necessary.