Top 10 Nurse Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for nurse specialists in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the nurse specialist has achieved a certain level of expertise and competency in their field. Certification also provides evidence of a nurse specialist's commitment to their profession, as they have taken the steps necessary to obtain it. Additionally, certifications can provide nurses with access to more specialized roles within their organization or industry. Finally, having a certification may lead to increased salary and other benefits, such as tuition reimbursement or continuing education credits.

This article reviews and explains some of the top certifications for Nurse Specialists and how they can contribute to a nurse specialist's career.

What are Nurse Specialist Certifications?

Nurse specialist certification is a type of advanced nursing practice that is designed to provide specialized care and expertise to patients within a particular area of healthcare. It is an evaluation process that recognizes nurses who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in their specialty area. Nurse specialists are expected to demonstrate their competence in their specialty by passing a rigorous exam.

Nurse specialist certification can help in several ways. First, it provides the nurse with recognition from peers and employers that they possess the highest level of expertise in their field. This recognition allows them to be more marketable when seeking new employment opportunities or promotions. Second, it gives the nurse credibility within the healthcare community as an expert source for advice and guidance on matters related to their specialty. Third, it enables them to apply for higher-level positions that require advanced training or certification. Fourth, it increases public confidence in the quality of care provided by certified nurse specialists as they are held to the highest standards of practice set by national organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Finally, certification also provides nurses with access to continuing education resources that keep them up-to-date on current trends and advances in their field.

Pro Tip: When researching nurse specialist certification, always make sure you have a clear understanding of the requirements and scope of practice for each specialty. This will help ensure that you are properly prepared to take the exam and that you are eligible for the certification.

Related: What does a Nurse Specialist do?

Top 10 Nurse Specialist Certifications

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

1. Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP)

A Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) is a specialized advanced practice registered nurse who provides primary and specialty care for children from infancy through young adulthood. The CPNP is an independent practitioner who diagnoses and treats common acute and chronic illnesses, orders and interprets diagnostic tests, prescribes medications, counsels patients on preventive health care, and provides patient education.

The certification process typically takes up to one year to complete. The first step is to become a Registered Nurse (RN). After becoming an RN, the next step is to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an emphasis in pediatric nursing. Once you have obtained your MSN degree, you must pass the national certification exam offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

To be eligible for the PNCB exam, you must have completed at least 500 hours of direct clinical practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner within the past three years. You must also have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education in pediatric nursing during the same time period.

The cost of obtaining your CPNP certification varies depending on where you live and how much experience you have as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 for tuition, books, fees associated with taking the PNCB exam and any other related costs.

2. Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

A Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse who has specialized knowledge and experience in a particular area of nursing. CNSs provide direct patient care, as well as leadership and consultation to other nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers. They may also be involved in research, education, policy development, and quality improvement initiatives.

It typically takes two to three years of full-time study to obtain the necessary qualifications to become a CNS. This includes completing a Master’s degree in nursing or a Doctoral degree program with a specialty focus on clinical nursing. Additionally, most states require that applicants pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

To become certified as a CNS, you must have completed the educational requirements and have at least one year of experience working as an RN in your specialty area. You will then need to take an exam offered by either the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Once you have passed this exam, you will receive your certification as a CNS.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the type of program you choose and any additional fees associated with taking the certification exam. Generally speaking, it can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars for tuition and fees associated with obtaining your degree or certification.

3. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse with advanced training in midwifery. CNMs provide care to women throughout their life cycle, from adolescence through menopause. They specialize in providing primary care and gynecological services to women, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and newborn care.

It takes approximately two years of full-time study to become a CNM. This includes completing an accredited midwifery program at either the master’s or doctoral level. After completing the educational requirements, you must pass a national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

To get certified as a CNM you must first complete an accredited midwifery education program. You can find a list of accredited programs on the American College of Nurse-Midwives website. Once you have completed your program, you must apply for certification through the AMCB and take their national certification exam.

The cost of becoming a CNM varies depending on your educational program and other factors such as living expenses during school and test preparation materials. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $5,000-$15,000 to become certified as a CNM.

4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse who has specialized training and experience in administering anesthesia for surgical, obstetrical, and trauma care. CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in the United States, with over 50% of all anesthetics administered by CRNAs.

To become a CRNA, one must first obtain a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school. This can take anywhere from four to five years depending on the program. After graduating from a nursing program, one must then gain at least one year of experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a critical care setting such as intensive care or emergency room.

Once the RN experience is obtained, the individual can apply to a Master’s Degree Program in Nurse Anesthesia. These programs typically last two to three years and include clinical rotations in various specialties such as pediatrics, obstetrics, and trauma surgery. Upon completion of the program, graduates must pass both written and oral examinations administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

The cost of becoming a CRNA varies greatly depending on the school chosen and any scholarships or grants that may be available. Generally speaking, tuition costs range from $50,000-$100,000 for the entire program including books and other fees. Additionally there may be living expenses associated with attending school which could add up to thousands more dollars per year.

5. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) is a certification program offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). It is designed to recognize nurses who have achieved a high level of expertise in emergency nursing practice. The CEN certification is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to providing quality care in emergency settings.

To become certified, nurses must have a current, unrestricted RN license and at least two years of full-time experience as an emergency nurse within the past three years. Candidates must also pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as patient assessment, pharmacology, trauma management, and medical/surgical emergencies.

The cost for the CEN exam is $360 for BCEN members and $460 for non-members. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In addition to passing the exam, candidates must also complete 20 hours of continuing education every five years in order to maintain their certification.

6. Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC)

A Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC) is a registered nurse with advanced training and certification in gerontology, the study of aging. This certification is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It requires additional education and training beyond the RN degree, as well as passing an exam.

To become a GNP-BC, you must first have a valid RN license. Then you must complete an accredited master's or doctoral program in gerontology or geriatrics. After completing your degree, you can apply to take the ANCC Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, you will be awarded the GNP-BC credential.

The cost of becoming a GNP-BC varies depending on your educational path and other factors such as exam fees and continuing education requirements. Generally speaking, it may take several years and cost thousands of dollars to become certified.

Once certified, GNPs are qualified to provide direct care to older adults in both clinical and community settings. They are also able to provide health promotion services, conduct assessments for long-term care planning, diagnose illnesses, order tests and treatments, prescribe medications, provide counseling services related to aging issues, and more.

7. Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC)

A Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC) is a registered nurse with advanced education and clinical experience in the care of newborns. They provide comprehensive care to infants from birth through the first 28 days of life, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of neonatal illnesses and conditions. The NNP-BC credential is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

In order to become an NNP-BC, you must have a valid RN license and at least one year of full-time experience in a Level III or IV NICU. You must also complete an accredited master's or doctoral program in neonatal nursing. It typically takes two to three years to complete these programs.

Once you have met all the requirements, you can take the ANCC certification exam. The exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as neonatal physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, family dynamics, and more. The cost of the exam is $395 for members of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and $495 for nonmembers.

After passing the exam, you will be awarded your NNP-BC credential which is valid for five years. You must renew your certification every five years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the certification exam.

8. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (PMHNP-BC)

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (PMHNP-BC) is a specialized nursing role that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders. PMHNP-BCs provide comprehensive care to individuals, families, and groups with psychiatric diagnoses. This includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, medication management and coordination of care.

It typically takes two years to complete the educational requirements for this certification. The educational requirements include completing an accredited graduate program in psychiatric/mental health nursing or a related field such as psychology or social work; passing the national board examination for advanced practice registered nurses; and obtaining a state license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse.

To get certified as a PMHNP-BC you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by your state’s Board of Nursing. After meeting these requirements you can then apply for certification through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Both organizations offer online applications and have specific criteria that must be met in order to be approved for certification.

The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on which organization you choose to certify through. The ANCC requires payment of an application fee plus additional fees for each specialty area tested while the AANP requires payment of an application fee plus additional fees based on how many specialty areas are tested. The total cost can range from $400-$600 depending on which organization you choose and how many specialty areas are being tested.

9. Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)

Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) is a certification program that is designed to provide nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care for patients with wounds. The certification is offered by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB).

To become a Certified Wound Care Nurse, you must have a current RN license and at least two years of wound care experience. You must also pass an exam administered by the WOCNCB. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions about wound care topics such as assessment, treatment, documentation, and prevention.

The cost of taking the CWCN exam varies depending on where you take it. In most locations, it costs around $350 to take the exam.

Once you pass the exam, you will be awarded your CWCN certification. This certification is valid for five years before needing to be renewed. To renew your certification, you must complete at least 45 contact hours of continuing education in wound care topics within the five-year period prior to renewal.

10. Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS®).

Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS®) is a certification program designed to recognize nurses who have achieved advanced knowledge and expertise in oncology nursing. This certification is offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). It is an advanced practice specialty credential that recognizes nurses who have demonstrated excellence in oncology nursing.

To become an AOCNS®, a nurse must have at least two years of experience as an RN with direct patient care in oncology, and must hold a current, unrestricted RN license. The nurse must also complete at least 500 hours of practice in oncology within three years prior to taking the exam.

The AOCNS® exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, symptom management, psychosocial nursing, research and evidence-based practice, professional role development, and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $350 for ONCC members or $450 for non-members.

The AOCNS® certification is valid for five years from the date it was awarded; after that time, nurses must recertify by taking the exam again or completing continuing education courses approved by ONCC.

Do You Really Need a Nurse Specialist Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual career and educational goals. If you are looking to become a nurse specialist, then having a certificate can be beneficial in helping you reach your goal. A nurse specialist certificate can give you an edge over other applicants for a job in the field, as it shows that you have taken the time to obtain additional training and knowledge in your chosen specialty. It also demonstrates that you have gone above and beyond the basic nursing education requirements and are committed to providing quality care.

Having a certificate can also open up more opportunities for advancement within the field of nursing. Many employers look favorably upon those who have taken the extra step of earning a nurse specialist certificate as it signifies that they are dedicated to their profession and willing to go the extra mile in providing quality care. Furthermore, many hospitals and healthcare organizations may offer preferential hiring or promotion opportunities to those who possess such credentials.

In conclusion, if you are interested in becoming a nurse specialist, then having a certificate can be beneficial. It will give you an edge over other applicants for jobs, demonstrate your commitment to quality care, and potentially provide more opportunities for advancement within the field of nursing.

Related: Nurse Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Nurse Specialist Certifications

1. What is a Nurse Specialist Certification?

Answer: A Nurse Specialist Certification is an advanced nursing credential that demonstrates a nurse's expertise in a particular specialty area, such as critical care, geriatrics, or psychiatric mental health. The certification requires the completion of an accredited educational program and passing an exam to demonstrate mastery of the specialty area.

2. How long does it take to become certified as a Nurse Specialist?

Answer: It typically takes two to three years to complete the educational requirements for certification as a Nurse Specialist. The amount of time required may vary depending on the type of program and the number of courses taken.

3. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Nurse Specialist?

Answer: Yes, most programs require applicants to have at least one year of experience working in their field before beginning the certification process. Additionally, some programs require applicants to have completed prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in the program.

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

Answer: Becoming certified as a Nurse Specialist can provide many benefits including increased job opportunities, higher salary potential, and greater credibility among colleagues and patients alike. It also serves as recognition for nurses who have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in their field and achieved advanced competencies in their specialty area.

5. Is recertification required after becoming certified as a Nurse Specialist?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require recertification every few years in order to maintain active status with the credentialing organization or board that issued it. This may include completing continuing education credits or passing an exam demonstrating continued knowledge and competency within the specialty area.