Top 10 MDS Nurse Certifications

Certifications for MDS nurses are increasingly important in the job market because they show employers that a nurse has achieved a higher level of expertise and knowledge in the field. Certified MDS nurses demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care and improving patient outcomes. Having certifications can help MDS nurses stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of getting hired. Employers may also be more likely to offer higher salaries or promotions to certified MDS nurses, as these individuals have demonstrated their dedication to professional development and excellence in practice. Certifications also provide MDS nurses with the opportunity to learn new skills, stay up-to-date on advancements in the field, and network with colleagues.

This article reviews the top certifications for MDS Nurses and explains how they can contribute to a mds nurse's career, providing insight into career advancement opportunities.

What are MDS Nurse Certifications?

MDS Nurse Certification is a specialized certification for nurses who work in the field of long-term care or skilled nursing facilities and are responsible for completing the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment process. The MDS is a federal requirement that requires nursing staff to assess each resident’s physical, mental, social, and functional status and document it in an electronic health record. Achieving this certification demonstrates the nurse's knowledge and expertise in the MDS process.

The certification helps nurses provide more accurate assessments, identify areas of improvement, and help ensure compliance with federal regulations. It also helps employers select qualified employees and provides greater job security for those individuals who possess this certification. Furthermore, it can help increase job opportunities as employers are looking for certified professionals when hiring new staff. Finally, by having this certification nurses may receive higher salaries than those without it because they demonstrate a higher level of skill and knowledge in their practice.

Pro Tip: When obtaining your MDS Nurse Certification, make sure to stay up-to-date with new regulations and guidelines. This will ensure that you are compliant with all the necessary standards and can provide quality care to patients.

Related: What does an MDS Nurse do?

Top 10 MDS Nurse Certifications

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

1. Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)

Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) is a certification that recognizes the advanced knowledge and skills of registered nurses who specialize in medical-surgical nursing. This certification is offered through the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB).

To become certified as a CMSRN, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a licensed registered nurse in the United States or its territories.

2. Have at least two years of full-time clinical practice as a registered nurse in medical-surgical nursing within the last three years.

3. Successfully complete an approved MSNCB exam.

It typically takes between six months to one year to prepare for the CMSRN exam, depending on your current level of experience and knowledge. To prepare for the exam, you should review core medical-surgical topics such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, diagnostic tests and treatments, and patient safety standards. You can also take courses or review materials provided by MSNCB or other organizations to help you get ready for the exam.

The cost of taking the CMSRN exam varies based on your location and whether you are taking it online or in person. Generally speaking, it costs around $300-$400 to take the exam plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with registering for it.

Once you have successfully completed the CMSRN exam, you will be awarded with a certificate of completion from MSNCB that recognizes your achievement as a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN).

2. Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN)

A Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) is a registered nurse who has completed specialized training in the care of individuals with wounds, ostomies and continence disorders. They provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the individual’s plan of care.

It takes approximately two years to become a CWOCN. The first step is to become a registered nurse (RN). After completing an RN program, you must then complete a minimum of 2,000 hours of wound, ostomy or continence nursing practice within the past five years. You will also need to pass an exam administered by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB).

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on when you register for it. It typically costs $395 for members of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCNS) and $495 for non-members.

Once you have passed your exam and received your certification as a CWOCN, you can apply for jobs in hospitals or other healthcare settings that require this type of specialty nurse.

3. Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)

Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN) is a certification offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). It is a specialty certification that recognizes nurses who have demonstrated excellence in emergency nursing. The CEN credential is awarded to nurses who meet the eligibility criteria and pass the CEN exam.

To be eligible for the CEN certification, candidates must have an active RN license, two years of full-time experience as an emergency nurse within the last three years, and at least 2,000 hours of practice in emergency nursing within the last three years.

The CEN exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as patient assessment, pharmacology, trauma care, cardiology, medical emergencies, pediatric emergencies and more. The exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

The cost to take the CEN exam varies depending on when you register. Registration fees range from $230 to $345 USD.

4. Certified Ambulatory Care Nursing (CACN)

Certified Ambulatory Care Nursing (CACN) is a specialty certification for registered nurses who provide care in ambulatory settings such as clinics, urgent care centers, and physician offices. This certification demonstrates the nurse’s expertise and commitment to providing quality care in an outpatient setting.

The CACN certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). To be eligible for this certification, applicants must have a current, unrestricted RN license and at least two years of full-time experience in ambulatory care nursing within the last three years.

The CACN exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions based on core competencies related to ambulatory care nursing practice. The cost of the exam is $395 for ANCC members and $495 for non-members. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

To prepare for the CACN exam, applicants should review their knowledge of ambulatory care nursing practice through study guides, online courses, or other resources. After passing the exam, nurses will receive their certification from ANCC and may use the credential “CACN” after their name.

5. Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)

A Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) is a credential that recognizes registered nurses who have demonstrated expertise in the field of rehabilitation nursing. This certification is offered through the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN), which is an international professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in rehabilitation nursing.

In order to become certified as a CRRN, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having a current RN license and at least two years of full-time experience as a registered nurse in the rehabilitation setting within the past five years. The applicant must also pass an exam administered by ARN, which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient assessment, care planning, and interventions.

The cost for the CRRN exam varies depending on whether or not you are an ARN member. For non-members, the fee is $370; for members, it is $290. The exam can be taken at any Prometric Testing Center across the United States and Canada. Once you have passed the exam and met all other criteria, you will receive your certification from ARN within 4-6 weeks.

6. Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC)

A Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC) is a specialized nurse practitioner who has advanced training in caring for the elderly. They are qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses, order tests, prescribe medications, and provide patient education.

It typically takes two to three years of full-time study to become a GNP-BC. To qualify for certification, applicants must have an active nursing license, hold a master's degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing, have at least 500 hours of clinical experience working with older adults, and pass the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam.

To get certified as a GNP-BC, applicants must complete the application process through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This includes submitting transcripts from your educational program and proof of your current RN license. You will also need to pay a fee for the exam and any additional fees associated with applying for certification.

The cost of becoming certified as a GNP-BC can vary depending on the state you live in and whether or not you choose to take additional courses or workshops related to gerontology. The cost of taking the ANCC exam is around $400-$500 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. Additionally, there may be costs associated with renewing your certification every five years which can range from $50-$100 USD depending on your state’s requirements.

7. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is an advanced medical training course designed to teach healthcare professionals the skills and knowledge needed to respond to life-threatening emergencies. The ACLS course covers a range of topics, including recognition and treatment of cardiac arrest, airway management, resuscitation techniques, use of medications and defibrillation. It also covers topics such as stroke, acute coronary syndromes, and other medical emergencies.

The ACLS course typically takes about 16 hours to complete. It can be taken in either a classroom or online setting. To get ACLS certified, you must first complete an approved provider program that includes both didactic instruction and hands-on practice sessions. After completing the program, you will need to pass an examination administered by the American Heart Association in order to become certified in ACLS.

The cost of getting ACLS certified varies depending on the provider program chosen; however, most courses range from $200-$400 USD.

8. Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Certification (AMSN-CNS)

Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Certification (AMSN-CNS) is a certification program designed to recognize the highest level of expertise in medical-surgical nursing. It is awarded by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and is the only medical-surgical certification recognized by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS).

To qualify for AMSN-CNS, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include: having an active RN license, at least two years of full-time experience as a registered nurse in a medical-surgical setting within the past five years, and completion of 30 hours of continuing education in medical-surgical nursing within the past three years.

The application process for AMSN-CNS includes completing an online application form and submitting documentation to verify your eligibility requirements. Once your application is approved, you will be required to take an exam that tests your knowledge and skills related to medical-surgical nursing. The exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

AMSN-CNS certification is valid for five years from the date it was issued. To maintain certification, you must complete 45 hours of continuing education credits every three years.

The cost for AMSN-CNS certification varies depending on whether or not you are an AACN member. For nonmembers, the fee is $395; for members, it is $295. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam or renewing your certification after five years.

9. Critical Care Nursing Certification (CCRN)

Critical Care Nursing Certification (CCRN) is a professional certification for registered nurses who specialize in the care of critically ill patients. It is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The CCRN certification demonstrates a nurse’s knowledge and expertise in providing comprehensive, high-quality care to critically ill patients.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for and complete the CCRN exam. The exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and nursing practice related to critical care.

To get certified, you must first become an RN with an active license in your state. You must also have at least 1 year of recent experience working in a critical care setting and meet other eligibility requirements set by AACN. Once you are eligible, you can register for the exam online or by mail.

The cost of the CCRN exam is $310 for members of AACN and $360 for non-members. Additionally, there are fees associated with registering for the exam and renewing your certification every three years.

10. Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)

Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) is a certification that recognizes nurses who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the care of patients with cancer. This certification is offered through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). The OCN certification validates an oncology nurse’s ability to provide safe, effective, and comprehensive care for patients with cancer and their families.

It takes approximately three months to complete the requirements for the OCN certification. To become certified, nurses must first meet eligibility criteria, which includes having a current RN license and at least 1 year of practice in oncology nursing within the last 3 years. Additionally, applicants must pass a computer-based exam that covers topics such as cancer biology, treatment modalities, symptom management, psychosocial issues, and professional performance.

The cost of obtaining the OCN certification varies depending on whether or not you are an ONCC member. For non-members, it costs $325 to take the exam and $50 for each additional retake if needed. For members, it costs $275 to take the exam and $25 for each additional retake if needed.

Do You Really Need a MDS Nurse Certificate?

No, you do not need an MDS Nurse certificate to pursue a career in nursing. However, having this certification can be beneficial for nurses who are looking for opportunities to specialize in certain areas of nursing and to increase their knowledge and expertise.

An MDS Nurse certificate is a specialized certification that focuses on the assessment of patient care needs. This type of certification is specifically designed for nurses who want to specialize in the area of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. This type of assessment is used by facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes to determine the level of care needed for each patient. The nurse who holds an MDS Nurse certificate has the skills and knowledge necessary to accurately assess the patient's condition and to provide appropriate care plans based on their findings.

Having an MDS Nurse certificate can open up many opportunities for nurses in terms of job advancement and increased wages. Many employers look favorably upon those who have this type of certification because it shows that they have taken extra steps to become experts in their field. In addition, having this credential also demonstrates that the nurse is committed to providing quality care and has a deep understanding of how to assess patients' needs properly.

In conclusion, while it is not required that nurses have an MDS Nurse certificate, it can be beneficial for those who are looking for more specialized roles within the field or seeking higher wages. Having this certification will demonstrate your commitment to providing quality care as well as your expertise in assessing patient needs accurately.

Related: MDS Nurse Resume Examples

FAQs About MDS Nurse Certifications

1. What is the MDS nurse certification?

Answer: The MDS nurse certification is a specialized credential for nurses who specialize in completing and managing Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for residents in long-term care facilities.

2. What are the requirements to become an MDS nurse?

Answer: To become an MDS nurse, you must have a current RN license, two years of experience in nursing, and must successfully complete an accredited course in MDS assessment.

3. How long does it take to become certified as an MDS Nurse?

Answer: It typically takes about 6 months to become certified as an MDS Nurse. This includes completing the required coursework and passing the certification exam.

4. How much does it cost to get certified as an MDS Nurse?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as an MDS Nurse can vary depending on the certification program you choose. Generally, you can expect to pay around $400-$500 for all associated costs such as registration fees, textbooks, and exam fees.

5. What are the benefits of becoming an MDS Nurse?

Answer: Becoming an MDS Nurse provides several benefits including increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and greater professional recognition among peers and employers alike. Additionally, this type of certification allows nurses to stay up-to-date with best practices related to completing accurate and comprehensive resident assessments within long-term care settings.