Top 10 Practical Nurse Certifications

Certifications are important for practical nurses in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and proficiency in the field. Certified practical nurses have completed the necessary educational requirements, passed an exam, and gained the knowledge and skills needed to practice safely and effectively. Certified practical nurses are more attractive to employers because they have proven their qualifications through certification, which can lead to better pay, more job opportunities, and greater respect from colleagues. Certification also allows practical nurses to stay up-to-date on industry standards, regulations, and advances in technology. By maintaining certifications, nurses can show that they remain committed to providing quality patient care.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Practical Nurses and explain how they can help further a practical nurse's career.

What are Practical Nurse Certifications?

Practical nurse certification is a type of professional credential that demonstrates an individual's competence in providing basic nursing care. It is typically offered by a state board of nursing and can be obtained by completing a program of study approved by the board. The certificate typically requires passing a test and completing additional continuing education requirements to remain valid. With this certification, practical nurses are able to practice in any state where they are licensed, as well as work in hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies, and other medical facilities.

Practical nurse certification can help individuals gain more job opportunities and higher pay rates compared to those without the certification. Employers prefer to hire certified practical nurses because they have demonstrated their knowledge and skills through the licensing process. Certified practical nurses may also be eligible for promotions or other career advancement opportunities that non-certified nurses may not qualify for. In addition, having a certificate of completion from an accredited program gives employers assurance that the nurse has received comprehensive training on topics related to patient care and safety protocols.

Pro tip: Make sure to take advantage of any free continuing education opportunities available through your certification organization. This will help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and information in the practical nurse field, and can even help you earn additional certifications or credentials that could give your career a boost.

Related: What does a Practical Nurse do?

Top 10 Practical Nurse Certifications

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

1. Certified Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

A Certified Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a nurse who has completed a specialized program of study and passed an exam to become licensed to practice in their state. The LPN provides basic nursing care, including taking vital signs, administering medications, providing wound care and patient education.

It typically takes one year to complete the educational requirements for an LPN. Most states require that applicants for an LPN license have graduated from a state-approved practical nursing program or equivalent. After completing the required coursework and passing the licensure exam, applicants must apply for licensure in their state. The cost of obtaining an LPN license varies by state but can range from $50-$200.

2. Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse (CMSRN)

A Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse (CMSRN) is a nurse who has earned a specialized certification in medical-surgical nursing. This certification is designed to recognize the expertise of nurses who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and experience in the field of medical-surgical nursing. To become certified, nurses must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam.

To be eligible for the CMSRN certification, applicants must have an active RN license, have at least two years of full-time experience as a registered nurse in medical-surgical nursing within the last five years, and complete 30 hours of continuing education related to medical-surgical nursing within three years prior to application.

The exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions which cover topics such as patient assessment, diagnostic studies, pharmacology, therapeutic interventions and professional issues. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and includes both general and specialty questions.

The cost for the CMSRN certification is $350 for members of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) or $450 for nonmembers. The fee includes all materials needed to take the exam as well as one year’s membership in AMSN if you are not already a member. There are also additional fees associated with retaking the exam if necessary.

3. Certified in Long-Term Care Nursing (CLTCN)

Certified in Long-Term Care Nursing (CLTCN) is a professional certification program designed to recognize nurses who have demonstrated expertise in the care of long-term care patients. The CLTCN credential is offered by the American Board for Long Term Care Nursing (ABLTCN).

The CLTCN program requires that applicants meet certain educational and experience requirements, including a current RN license, at least two years of full-time nursing experience in a long-term care setting, and completion of an approved course in long-term care nursing. Applicants must also pass an examination administered by ABLTCN.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete the necessary requirements for certification. The cost of the exam is $260. In addition, applicants may need to purchase study materials or take courses related to long-term care nursing, which can add additional costs.

4. Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC)

A Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC) is a specialized type of nurse practitioner who provides care for elderly patients. The GNP-BC certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It requires nurses to have a minimum of two years of experience in gerontology, as well as completing an accredited graduate program in nursing with a focus on gerontology.

In order to become certified as a GNP-BC, nurses must pass the ANCC Gerontological Nursing Certification Exam. This exam tests knowledge and clinical reasoning related to the care of older adults. The exam also includes questions related to health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of health conditions commonly seen in older adults.

The cost of the GNP-BC certification varies depending on the state or region where you live. Generally, it costs between $500-$750 to take the exam. In addition to this fee, there may be additional fees for application processing and other administrative costs associated with taking the exam.

It typically takes about 4-6 weeks from when you first apply for the certification until you receive your results. Once you have passed the exam and are certified as a GNP-BC, you will need to renew your certification every five years in order to maintain it.

5. Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPCN)

Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPCN) is a certification for nurses who specialize in providing compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. This certification is offered by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC). The CHPCN credential recognizes the knowledge and skills required to provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary end-of-life care.

To become certified as a CHPCN, nurses must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include holding an active RN license, having two years of full-time hospice or palliative care nursing experience within the past five years, and completing 30 hours of continuing education in hospice and palliative care within the past three years.

The CHPCN exam is offered twice a year in April and October. The exam fee is $395 for HPCC members and $495 for nonmembers.

In order to maintain certification, nurses must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years and pay an annual maintenance fee of $50.

6. Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC)

A Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC) is a specialized healthcare provider who has received advanced training in the diagnosis and management of pediatric health conditions. This certification is offered through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and is designed to recognize nurses who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in providing care to children.

To become certified as a CPNP-PC, nurses must meet the following requirements:

• Hold an active, unencumbered RN license
• Have completed an accredited/approved graduate program in pediatric nursing
• Have at least 500 hours of clinical practice in pediatric nursing within the past three years
• Pass the PNCB’s CPNP-PC Exam.

The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that assess knowledge and skills related to pediatric primary care. The exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete, and applicants must score a minimum of 80% on the exam to pass. The cost for taking the exam is $395 for PNCB members and $495 for nonmembers.

7. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS) is a certification program designed to teach healthcare providers advanced resuscitation techniques for adult victims of cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary emergencies. The ACLS course focuses on early recognition and treatment of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, airway management, and team dynamics. It also covers the use of pharmacological agents to treat cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies.

The ACLS course typically takes two days to complete, depending on the provider's experience. During the course, students will learn about the latest resuscitation science and practice skills in simulated scenarios. After successful completion of the course, participants will receive an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider Course Completion Card from the American Heart Association (AHA).

To get ACLS certified, you must first register for an AHA approved provider course. These courses are offered by a variety of organizations including hospitals, universities, community colleges, and private training centers. You can find a list of approved providers on the AHA website.

The cost of an ACLS certification course varies depending on where you take it and who is providing it. Generally speaking, courses range from $200-$400 USD per person.

8. Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification (NRP)

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification is a program developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA). It is designed to teach healthcare providers how to recognize and manage newborns in distress and provide life-saving interventions. The NRP certification requires a provider to complete an online course, pass an exam, and demonstrate competency in neonatal resuscitation skills.

The online course takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete. After completing the course, providers must take a written exam that covers the material learned during the course. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and can be taken at any approved testing center or at home with an approved proctor. After passing the written exam, providers must then demonstrate their skills in a hands-on simulation setting with an instructor present.

The cost for NRP certification varies depending on where it is obtained. Generally, it costs around $150-$200 for the entire process including both the online course and hands-on simulation session.

Overall, NRP certification is essential for healthcare providers who work with newborns as it provides them with important knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage newborns in distress.

9. Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is a credential that demonstrates healthcare professionals have the knowledge and skills to save lives in emergency situations. BLS is typically used in pre-hospital settings, such as ambulances, but can also be used in hospital settings, such as the emergency room. The certification is offered through the American Heart Association (AHA).

The BLS course typically takes about 4 hours to complete and includes both a written and practical exam. The written exam tests your knowledge of basic life support techniques and protocols, while the practical exam tests your ability to perform the skills correctly.

To get certified in BLS, you must first take an AHA-approved course from an instructor or online provider. After completing the course, you must pass both the written and practical exams with a score of at least 80%. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your certification card.

The cost of BLS certification varies depending on where you take the course. Generally speaking, courses range from $50-$150.

10. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certification (APRN).

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certification (APRN) is a certification that recognizes nurses who have achieved advanced levels of education, training and clinical practice in their specialty. APRNs are highly trained professionals with specialized knowledge and skills in areas such as family health, pediatrics, gerontology, mental health, women’s health, acute care and more.

The process to become an APRN typically takes at least 2-3 years of additional education beyond the registered nurse (RN) level. This includes completing a master’s degree program in nursing or a doctoral degree program in nursing practice. After completing the educational requirements, APRNs must pass a national certification exam before they can be licensed to practice as an APRN in their state.

To get started on the path to becoming an APRN, you should first research accredited graduate programs that offer the appropriate specialty track for your desired career path. You should also research any state-specific requirements for licensure and certification as these may vary from state to state. Once you have completed your graduate program, you will need to take and pass the national certification exam for your chosen specialty area.

The cost of becoming an APRN varies depending on the type of program you choose and any other fees associated with it such as application fees or tuition costs. Generally speaking, it is estimated that the total cost of becoming an APRN ranges from $10,000-$20,000 depending on the type of program chosen and other associated costs.

Do You Really Need a Practical Nurse Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and career aspirations. Those who plan to work as a practical nurse must obtain a practical nurse certificate in order to be eligible for employment. This type of certification is necessary in order to demonstrate that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for patients in a variety of settings.

For those who do not plan to pursue a career in nursing, obtaining a practical nurse certificate may not be necessary. However, those interested in working in health care fields such as home health aide, medical assistant, or other similar positions may benefit from having a practical nurse certificate because it will provide them with an additional set of skills and credentials that could improve their chances of being hired and advancing their careers.

In addition to providing proof of one’s ability to perform basic nursing duties, obtaining a practical nurse certificate can also open up more job opportunities. Many employers look favorably upon individuals who have taken the extra step to become certified as a practical nurse, as it demonstrates dedication and commitment to their profession. Furthermore, many employers offer special incentives or bonuses for employees with this type of certification, so it can be beneficial both financially and professionally.

Ultimately, whether or not an individual needs a practical nurse certificate depends on their specific goals and career path. For those looking to pursue nursing or related health care professions, obtaining this type of certification is often essential for success.

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FAQs About Practical Nurse Certifications

1. What is a Practical Nurse Certification?

Answer: A Practical Nurse Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a nurse’s competence in providing basic medical care to patients. It is issued by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and typically requires passing an exam, completing approved continuing education courses, and meeting other requirements.

2. How long does it take to become certified as a practical nurse?

Answer: The amount of time needed to become certified as a practical nurse varies depending on the individual’s educational background and experience level. Generally, it can take anywhere from one to three years to complete all the required courses and exams for certification.

3. What are the requirements for obtaining a practical nurse certification?

Answer: Requirements for obtaining a practical nurse certification vary by state, but generally include completing an accredited nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN exam, and meeting any additional state-mandated requirements.

4. What is the cost of becoming certified as a practical nurse?

Answer: The cost of becoming certified as a practical nurse depends on several factors such as location, type of program chosen, fees associated with taking exams, etc. Generally speaking, costs can range anywhere from $1,000-$10,000 or more depending on these factors.

5. Is there any way to renew my Practical Nurse Certification?

Answer: Yes! Most states require nurses to renew their certifications every two years in order to maintain their active status. Renewal typically involves completing continuing education courses related to nursing practices and passing any necessary exams or tests related to those courses.