Top 10 Community Health Nurse Certifications

Certifications are important for a community health nurse in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the nurse has achieved a certain level of knowledge and expertise in their field. Certifications can also open up opportunities for advancement, as many employers prefer to hire nurses with certifications over those without. In addition, certifications can provide nurses with more confidence in their abilities and help them stay abreast of the latest developments in their field. Lastly, having a certification may give the nurse an edge over other applicants during the hiring process.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for Community Health Nurses and explain how they can enhance their careers.

What are Community Health Nurse Certifications?

Community health nurse certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in providing care to individuals, families, and communities. This certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and requires the completion of a specialty examination. The examination tests the candidate’s knowledge regarding public health nursing, community health nursing practice, and health policy.

Having a community health nurse certification can help nurses gain recognition for their specialized skills in providing care to underserved populations. It also helps employers identify nurses who are knowledgeable and experienced in caring for vulnerable people in the community. With this certification, nurses can be more competitive when applying for jobs in public health or community-based organizations. Additionally, having a community health nurse certification may qualify nurses for higher salaries due to the increased demand for these professionals.

Finally, having a community health nurse certification can help improve patient outcomes by ensuring that nurses have the required knowledge to provide high-quality care to those living in vulnerable communities. By being certified as a community health nurse, nurses are able to better understand how to address factors such as poverty, access to healthcare resources, and social determinants of health which influence patient outcomes.

Pro Tip: Research your state's requirements for community health nurse certification carefully before beginning the process. Each state has different regulations and requirements that must be met in order to obtain certification.

Related: What does a Community Health Nurse do?

Top 10 Community Health Nurse Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Community Health Nurses today.

1. Certified Public Health Nurse (CPHN)

A Certified Public Health Nurse (CPHN) is a registered nurse who has specialized knowledge and skills in public health. CPHNs are responsible for providing direct patient care, developing and implementing health promotion and disease prevention strategies, and participating in the development of public health policy.

To become a CPHN, you must first be a Registered Nurse (RN). You must then complete an accredited Master's degree program in public health nursing or a related field. The program should include coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, population-based healthcare, and other related topics. It typically takes two to three years to complete the program.

Once you have completed your master's degree, you must then pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). After passing this exam, you can apply for certification as a CPHN through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The application process includes submitting transcripts from your master's degree program and passing an examination that tests your knowledge of public health nursing practices.

The cost of becoming a CPHN varies depending on the school or program you choose to attend. In addition to tuition costs for the master's degree program, there is also an application fee for ANCC certification which is currently $395 USD.

2. Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN)

Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN) is a specialized nursing role focused on promoting public health and preventive care. This type of nurse works to improve the health of communities and populations through research, education, and advocacy. APHNs are often involved in policy development and implementation, as well as program evaluation.

To become an APHN, nurses must have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field, plus two years of experience in public health nursing or a related field. They must also be licensed registered nurses in their state and have completed additional coursework or training in public health principles, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health sciences, or community assessment.

The cost of becoming an APHN varies depending on the individual's educational background and experience. Generally speaking, it will require some form of continuing education such as workshops or seminars for a fee. Additionally, there may be fees associated with licensure exams and/or certification exams required to become an APHN.

3. Certified Community Health Nurse (CCHN)

Certified Community Health Nurse (CCHN) is a certification for nurses who specialize in community health nursing. Community health nurses provide care to individuals, families, and communities in their own homes and communities. They focus on promoting health and preventing illness through education, advocacy, and direct care services.

To become certified as a CCHN, you must have an active RN license and at least 1 year of full-time experience as a community health nurse within the last 5 years. You must also complete 45 hours of continuing education related to community health nursing within the last 3 years.

The cost of certification varies depending on which organization you choose to certify with. The National Board for Certification of Community Health Nurses (NBCCHN) offers certification for $250, while the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers certification for $295.

The process of becoming certified typically takes 4-6 weeks from the time you submit your application until you receive your certification.

4. Certified School Nurse (CSN)

A Certified School Nurse (CSN) is a registered nurse who has specialized training and experience in school health services. A CSN provides comprehensive care to students and staff in the school setting, including health assessments, disease prevention, health promotion, and management of chronic conditions. The CSN also serves as an advocate for students’ health needs and works with families, teachers, administrators, and other healthcare providers to ensure that all students receive appropriate care.

In order to become a CSN, an individual must first obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) license from their state board of nursing. After becoming licensed as an RN, the individual must complete additional education specific to school nursing practice. This can be done through a post-graduate certificate program or master's degree program in school nursing.

The cost of obtaining a CSN certification varies depending on the individual's educational path. Post-graduate certificate programs typically range from $5,000-$10,000 while master's degree programs may cost upwards of $50,000 or more.

Once an individual has obtained their RN license and completed the necessary coursework for a CSN certification, they must then pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Once they have passed this exam they will be eligible to apply for their CSN certification through their state board of nursing. Depending on the state requirements it may take up to several months before an individual receives their CSN certification after applying.

5. Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)

Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of correctional health care. The CCHP certification is offered by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). It is the only certification program in the United States that focuses exclusively on correctional health care.

In order to become certified, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass a comprehensive examination. The eligibility requirements include having at least two years of full-time experience in a correctional setting, or one year of full-time experience with a minimum of 500 hours spent working directly with patients in a correctional setting.

The CCHP exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions covering topics such as medical ethics, legal issues, patient rights, health promotion, disease prevention and treatment, mental health and substance abuse services, management and administration of health care services in corrections. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

To obtain the CCHP certification, applicants must submit an application form along with their supporting documents and pay the required fee. The fee for the CCHP exam is $450 USD for NCCHC members and $550 USD for non-members. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their CCHP certificate within four to six weeks after passing the exam.

The CCHP certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued and can be renewed by submitting proof of continuing education credits earned during that time period.

6. Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN)

Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) is a specialized nursing credential that recognizes nurses who have achieved advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of occupational health. COHNs provide comprehensive care to employees in the workplace, including preventative care, injury management, and case management. They also work with employers to develop policies and procedures that promote a safe and healthy work environment.

To become a Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN), you must hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) license and have at least two years of full-time experience as an RN in the field of occupational health within the last five years. You must also complete at least 45 contact hours of continuing education related to occupational health nursing within the last three years.

The certification process includes passing an exam administered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN). The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as environmental health, epidemiology, legal aspects of occupational health, safety management systems, workers’ compensation, ergonomics, toxicology, infectious diseases, emergency preparedness and response planning.

The cost for taking the exam is $395 USD for ABOHN members or $495 USD for non-members. The fee covers all materials necessary to take the exam including practice tests and study guides. Once you pass the exam you will be awarded your COHN certification which is valid for four years before it needs to be renewed.

7. Certified Case Manager (CCM)

Certified Case Manager (CCM) is a professional certification for case managers who provide care coordination, patient advocacy, and other services to clients. The CCM credential is awarded by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC), which is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in case management practice.

To become certified as a CCM, you must have a minimum of two years of full-time case management experience within the past five years, and meet the eligibility requirements set by the CCMC. You must also pass an examination administered by the CCMC. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as health care policy, ethics and legal issues, clinical practice guidelines, and case management principles.

It typically takes four to six months to prepare for the exam and complete all necessary paperwork. During this time, applicants should review study materials provided by the CCMC or take an approved course in preparation for the exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Case Manager includes an application fee ($50), examination fee ($325), annual maintenance fee ($125), and any additional fees associated with taking approved courses or purchasing study materials.

8. Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)

A Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) is a professional who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of clinical research studies. They are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of clinical research studies are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines. The CCRC must have knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), ethical principles, and regulatory requirements related to the conduct of clinical trials.

The CCRC certification is offered by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). To become certified, you must meet certain prerequisites and pass an exam. The prerequisites include having at least two years of full-time experience as a clinical research coordinator or equivalent position within the past five years; having completed at least one year of college-level coursework in health sciences; and completing at least 15 hours of ACRP-approved continuing education credits within the last three years.

The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as GCPs, regulatory requirements, study design and management, data collection and management, patient safety and protection, ethics and informed consent processes. The exam fee is $395 USD for members and $495 USD for nonmembers.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be eligible to use the CCRC credential after your name. You will also receive a certificate from ACRP verifying your certification status.

9. Certified Wound Care Specialist (CWCS)

A Certified Wound Care Specialist (CWCS) is a healthcare professional who has been certified by the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM). This certification is designed to recognize and promote excellence in wound care management. The CWCS credential is awarded to healthcare professionals who have demonstrated knowledge, skill, and competency in wound care management through successful completion of a comprehensive exam.

The CWCS certification process typically takes 4-6 months to complete. To become certified, applicants must first meet the eligibility requirements set by ABWM. These include having an active license or certification in a healthcare profession such as nursing, physical therapy, or medicine; at least two years of experience in wound care; and completion of at least 40 hours of continuing education credits related to wound care within the past three years. Once these requirements are met, applicants can apply for the CWCS exam.

The cost for the CWCS exam varies depending on the applicant’s healthcare profession and any additional fees associated with their application process. Generally speaking, the total cost for taking the exam ranges from $400-$600 USD. This includes registration fees, study materials, and any other applicable costs associated with taking the exam.

Once applicants pass their exam they will receive their official CWCS certificate from ABWM which is valid for five years. During this time they must maintain their certification by completing at least 40 hours of continuing education credits related to wound care every three years in order to remain certified.

10. Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)

A Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a healthcare professional who has specialized knowledge and skills in diabetes care. They provide comprehensive diabetes education and management to people with diabetes, their families, and other healthcare professionals.

To become a CDE, one must have at least two years of experience in diabetes care, complete at least 75 hours of continuing education in diabetes-related topics, and pass the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators’ certification exam. The cost of the exam varies by state but typically ranges from $150 to $400. It typically takes three to six months to prepare for the exam.

Do You Really Need a Community Health Nurse Certificate?

The answer to whether you need a community health nurse certificate depends on your goals and career aspirations. If you are looking to become a community health nurse, then having a certificate in this area would be beneficial as it will demonstrate your knowledge and skills in this field. It could also provide you with the qualifications necessary to apply for more advanced positions within the healthcare sector.

However, if you are already working as a nurse and do not plan to pursue a career in community health, then having a certificate may not be necessary. Many employers recognize experience and skill levels of existing employees without requiring additional certifications or credentials. Additionally, obtaining a certificate may require taking classes or completing additional coursework that may not be feasible for those already working full-time in the nursing profession.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to obtain a community health nurse certificate should be based on your own individual circumstances and goals. It is important that you weigh the potential benefits against any associated costs and time commitments so that you can make an informed decision about what is best for your career path.

Related: Community Health Nurse Resume Examples

FAQs About Community Health Nurse Certifications

1. What is a Community Health Nurse Certification?

Answer: A Community Health Nurse Certification is a credential that demonstrates a nurse’s specialized knowledge and experience in providing healthcare services to individuals, families, and communities.

2. How do I become certified as a Community Health Nurse?

Answer: To become certified as a Community Health Nurse, you must complete an accredited nursing program, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and obtain at least two years of full-time eligible experience in community health nursing practice. You will also need to submit an application and fee to the Board of Nursing in your state.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Community Health Nurse?

Answer: Benefits of becoming certified as a Community Health Nurse include increased job opportunities, greater recognition from employers and colleagues, higher earning potential, and improved patient outcomes due to your specialized knowledge.

4. What are the requirements for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Requirements for maintaining your certification include completing continuing education credits every two years and renewing your license with the Board of Nursing in your state every few years.

5. Are there any online courses available for obtaining or renewing my certification?

Answer: Yes, there are many online courses available for obtaining or renewing your certification as a Community Health Nurse. These courses cover topics such as public health principles, population health assessment, disease prevention strategies, health promotion interventions, and more.