Top 10 Nurse Educator Certifications

Certifications for nurse educators are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise, knowledge and experience that is valuable to employers. Certifications provide proof that the nurse educator has met certain standards of practice, has a certain level of competency and can provide evidence-based education and training. Additionally, certifications may show potential employers that the nurse educator has kept up with current trends in healthcare and nursing education. Certifications can also help to differentiate an individual from other applicants who do not possess them.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Nurse Educators and explains how they can help to advance a nurse educator's career.

What are Nurse Educator Certifications?

Nurse educator certification is a process of professional credentialing that recognizes the expertise and qualifications of nurses who specialize in teaching others in the field. This type of certification is typically awarded by a nursing association or an accredited higher education institution. Nurse educators are responsible for preparing current and future nurses to practice safely, effectively, and ethically in their respective roles.

Nurse educator certification can be beneficial to both certified nurse educators and those they teach. Certified nurse educators are able to demonstrate their commitment to teaching excellence and their advanced knowledge in nursing education, which can help them stand out among other applicants when seeking employment or promotion opportunities. Additionally, certified nurse educators may gain access to professional development opportunities, such as conferences and workshops, which can further enhance their knowledge base.

For those they teach, certified nurse educators provide assurance that they are receiving the highest quality instruction from qualified professionals who have demonstrated expertise in their field. Certified nurse educators also ensure that students receive up-to-date information on best practices and new developments within the profession so that they can provide safe, effective care when they enter the workforce. Finally, having a certified nurse educator on staff helps organizations meet accreditation standards set forth by governing bodies such as The Joint Commission (TJC).

Pro Tip: Make sure to check the requirements for nurse educator certification in your state before you begin the process. Each state may have different regulations and criteria that must be met before you are eligible to become certified.

Related: What does a Nurse Educator do?

Top 10 Nurse Educator Certifications

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

1. Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)

Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) is a credential awarded by the National League for Nursing (NLN). It is designed to recognize excellence in nursing education and to promote the highest standards of teaching. The CNE credential is available to all nurses who have completed a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, have at least two years of full-time experience as a nurse educator, and have successfully passed the NLN CNE examination.

The CNE certification process typically takes six months to complete. To become certified, an individual must first submit an application to the NLN along with evidence of their educational qualifications and experience as a nurse educator. Once approved, applicants can register for the CNE exam which consists of four parts: Foundations of Nursing Education, Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Instructional Strategies and Technologies, and Professional Role Competencies.

The cost of obtaining the CNE certification varies depending on the applicant's location and other factors such as whether they are members of the NLN or not. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$700 for non-members and $400-$600 for members.

2. Certified Nurse Educator-Advanced (CNEd-A)

A Certified Nurse Educator-Advanced (CNEd-A) is a credential awarded by the National League for Nursing (NLN) to nurses who have achieved advanced educational credentials in nursing education. The CNEd-A designation is the highest level of certification available from the NLN, and it is designed to recognize those nurses who have made significant contributions to the field of nursing education.

To earn the CNEd-A credential, applicants must meet certain criteria, including having a master’s degree in nursing or higher, at least three years of full-time teaching experience in an accredited program, and current licensure as a registered nurse. Applicants must also demonstrate evidence of professional development activities related to teaching and learning, such as attending conferences or workshops related to nursing education. In addition, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from colleagues in the field of nursing education.

The application process for the CNEd-A credential typically takes about six months from start to finish. The cost of applying for the credential varies depending on whether you are an NLN member or nonmember. For NLN members, there is an initial fee of $125 plus a $50 annual renewal fee; for nonmembers, there is an initial fee of $225 plus a $75 annual renewal fee.

Once certified, CNEd-As are eligible for various professional benefits including access to exclusive job postings and discounts on NLN products and services. Additionally, they may be eligible for higher salaries than their noncertified counterparts due to their advanced knowledge and expertise in nursing education.

3. Certified Clinical Nurse Educator (CCNE)

A Certified Clinical Nurse Educator (CCNE) is a board-certified credential that recognizes nurses who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of nursing education. The CCNE certification is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is designed to recognize nurses who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of teaching, curriculum development, program evaluation, and leadership.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the requirements for CCNE certification. To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including: having an active RN license; having at least two years of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse; completing at least 1,000 hours of teaching or educational activities within the last three years; and earning at least 30 continuing education contact hours related to nursing education.

The cost for taking the CCNE exam varies depending on where you take it. The exam fee ranges from $200-$300. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with submitting your application materials and obtaining any necessary documents required for certification.

4. Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)

A Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) is a credential that recognizes nurses who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and experience in the field of medical-surgical nursing. The CMSRN certification is awarded by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), which is part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

It takes approximately three to six months to prepare for and pass the CMSRN examination. To become eligible for the exam, you must have an active RN license and at least two years of full-time practice as a registered nurse in medical-surgical nursing within the past three years. You must also provide proof of at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in medical-surgical nursing within the last three years.

You can apply for the CMSRN exam online through MSNCB's website. The cost of taking the exam is $265 for members of ANCC or MSNCB, and $325 for nonmembers.

5. Certified Nursing Professional Development Practitioner (CNPDP)

Certified Nursing Professional Development Practitioner (CNPDP) is a certification that recognizes nurses who have achieved advanced knowledge and skills in the field of professional development. This certification is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The CNPDP credential is designed to recognize nurses who have demonstrated excellence in professional development practice, including teaching, consulting, coaching, and mentoring.

The CNPDP credential requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as leadership and management, communication and collaboration, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement. To be eligible for this certification, applicants must have a current RN license in the United States or its territories; hold at least a bachelor's degree in nursing or related field; have at least three years of full-time experience as a professional nurse; and have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education related to professional development within the last three years.

It typically takes about six months to complete the application process for the CNPDP credential. Applicants must submit an application form along with documentation of their credentials and experience. Once approved by ANCC, applicants must then take the CNPDP exam which is administered online.

The cost for applying for the CNPDP credential varies depending on whether you are an ANCC member or non-member. For members it costs $295 while non-members pay $395. Additionally there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as proctor fees or technology fees if applicable.

6. Certified Nursing Simulation Educator (CNSE)

Certified Nursing Simulation Educator (CNSE) is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of those who are responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating simulation-based learning activities. It is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in the field of nursing simulation education.

The CNSE certification program is offered by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). It requires applicants to have a minimum of two years experience in nursing simulation education, as well as completion of an approved course. The course covers topics such as curriculum design, assessment methods, debriefing techniques, use of technology and evaluation strategies. Once applicants meet the requirements they can apply to take the exam.

The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Applicants must pass with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CNSE certification program varies depending on the type of membership you have with SSH. For non-members it costs $450 USD; for members it costs $400 USD; and for students it costs $350 USD.

7. Certified Nursing Education Administrator (CNEA)

Certified Nursing Education Administrator (CNEA) is a credential that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of nursing education. It is offered by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC). The CNEA credential is designed to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to excellence in nursing education administration and provide recognition for those who have achieved this level of expertise.

To become certified as a CNEA, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having an active and unrestricted RN license, at least three years of full-time experience in nursing education administration, and completion of an approved NLNAC-accredited program or equivalent. Additionally, you must pass the CNEA exam administered by the NLNAC.

The CNEA exam consists of two parts: a written portion and a performance assessment. The written portion includes multiple choice questions covering topics such as curriculum development, faculty development, budgeting, and evaluation methods. The performance assessment requires you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in areas such as developing course objectives, creating lesson plans, and conducting faculty evaluations.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the certification process from start to finish. During this time, you will need to complete all necessary coursework or training programs; prepare for and take the CNEA exam; submit all required documentation; and wait for your results.

The cost for obtaining the CNEA credential varies depending on your specific situation but generally includes fees for application processing, examination registration, and any additional training or courses needed to meet eligibility requirements.

8. Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)

Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to design, implement, and evaluate simulation-based education experiences. The CHSE certification is offered by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), an international professional organization dedicated to advancing healthcare simulation.

The CHSE certification process consists of two components: a written exam and an oral exam. The written exam assesses the individual’s knowledge of healthcare simulation theory, principles, and best practices. The oral exam evaluates the individual’s ability to apply their knowledge in a simulated environment.

The CHSE certification process typically takes between three and six months to complete. Candidates must first submit an application with supporting documentation to SSH for review. Once approved, applicants can register for the written exam through SSH's website or contact SSH directly for more information. After passing the written exam, candidates must complete an oral examination within one year of passing the written exam in order to receive their CHSE certification.

The cost of obtaining a CHSE certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of SSH. For non-members, the cost is $500 USD for both exams; for members, it is $400 USD for both exams. Additionally, applicants may be required to pay additional fees if they need to reschedule their exams or retake them after failing either component of the certification process.

9. National League for Nursing Certification in Nursing Education and Faculty Role Credentialing Program

The National League for Nursing Certification in Nursing Education and Faculty Role Credentialing Program (NLN CNEA) is a certification program that recognizes nursing educators who demonstrate excellence in their field. The NLN CNEA is the only national credentialing program specifically designed to recognize the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of nursing faculty members. The program provides a rigorous evaluation process to ensure that certified nursing educators have met the highest standards of professional practice.

To become certified through the NLN CNEA, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. Eligibility requirements include having a master’s degree or higher in nursing education or related field, at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the last five years, and current membership in the NLN. Once these criteria are met, applicants can register for the exam which consists of multiple-choice questions and case studies.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on whether you are an NLN member or non-member. For NLN members, it costs $325; for non-members it costs $425. The exam takes about three hours to complete and results are available immediately after completion. Once applicants pass the exam, they will receive their certification within 8 weeks from date of application submission.

The NLN CNEA certification is valid for five years and can be renewed by completing continuing education activities or retaking the exam every five years.

10. American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Certification

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Certification is a credential that recognizes the expertise of advanced practice nurses in education. This certification is designed for those who are actively engaged in teaching or developing educational programs for advanced practice nurses. It is also meant to acknowledge the expertise and commitment of nurse educators who have achieved excellence in their field.

In order to obtain this certification, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having an active RN license, at least two years of experience as an advanced practice nurse, and at least two years of experience as a nurse educator. Additionally, applicants must complete an approved continuing education program on advanced practice nursing education and submit documentation demonstrating completion of the program to ANCC.

The process of obtaining this certification typically takes three to six months after all eligibility requirements have been met. Once all documents have been submitted and reviewed by ANCC, they will issue a decision regarding the applicant's eligibility for certification.

The cost for this certification varies depending on whether or not you are already certified by ANCC. If you are already certified by ANCC, then the cost is $295; if you are not currently certified by ANCC, then the cost is $395.

Do You Really Need a Nurse Educator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual circumstances. If you are a nurse who is looking to specialize in education, then obtaining a Nurse Educator Certificate may be beneficial for you. A Nurse Educator Certificate allows nurses to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field of nursing education. This certification can provide an advantage when applying for jobs or promotions, as well as help you increase your salary potential.

Additionally, having a Nurse Educator Certificate can help open up new opportunities for career advancement. Many employers look for nurses with specialized training and experience in the field of nursing education, so possessing a certificate can give you an edge over other applicants. It also demonstrates that you have taken the time and effort to become knowledgeable in the area of nursing education.

In addition to providing professional recognition, Nurse Educator Certificates can also teach nurses valuable skills that they may not otherwise learn on the job. Having a certificate can provide nurses with additional knowledge about educational theories and practices that they can use when teaching students or colleagues. It may also allow them to better understand how different learning styles affect student performance and how best to address this in their teaching methods.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Nurse Educator Certificate depends entirely on what your goals are and what type of position you are looking for. If you want to specialize in nursing education, then obtaining a certificate could be very beneficial for your career growth and success.

Related: Nurse Educator Resume Examples

FAQs About Nurse Educator Certifications

1. What is a Nurse Educator Certification?

Answer: A Nurse Educator Certification is a credential that validates the knowledge, skill and experience of nurse educators in the healthcare field. It demonstrates their commitment to excellence in teaching and prepares them to provide quality education to students.

2. How do I become certified as a Nurse Educator?

Answer: To become certified as a Nurse Educator, you must have an active RN license and complete an approved nurse educator program or course of study. You must also pass the certification exam offered by the National League for Nursing (NLN).

3. What is the difference between a Nurse Educator Certification and other nursing certifications?

Answer: The main difference between a Nurse Educator Certification and other nursing certifications is that it focuses on teaching rather than clinical practice. It requires knowledge of educational methods, curriculum development, assessment tools and evaluation techniques.

4. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Nurse Educator?

Answer: Benefits of becoming certified as a Nurse Educator include increased job opportunities, credibility with employers, higher salaries and improved career prospects. Additionally, certification can help nurses stay current on trends in nursing education and be better prepared to teach new courses or programs.

5. How often does my certification need to be renewed?

Answer: Your Nurse Educator Certification needs to be renewed every three years by completing continuing education requirements set by the NLN or other relevant organization for nurse educators.