Top 10 Public Health Nurse Certifications

Certifications are an important way for public health nurses to demonstrate their qualifications and expertise in the field. With a certification, employers can be sure that the nurse has met certain standards of training and knowledge in public health nursing. Certification also serves as a sign of commitment to professional development and continuing education, which is desirable for many employers. Furthermore, since certification is often required for certain positions, having one can make a nurse more competitive in the job market.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Public Health Nurses and explain how they can contribute to a Public Health Nurse's career.

What are Public Health Nurse Certifications?

Public health nurse certification is a professional credential awarded to registered nurses who have demonstrated expertise in public health nursing. This certification recognizes the skills and knowledge that a public health nurse has acquired through extensive experience, specialized education, or both. Public health nurses provide comprehensive care for individuals and families in their communities by focusing on preventive care, health promotion, and disease prevention. They are often involved in assessing community needs, developing programs to address those needs, and providing direct patient care services.

Public health nurse certification can help nurses gain recognition for their expertise in public health nursing and demonstrate their commitment to this field of practice. It also serves as an important resource for employers looking to hire qualified nurses who can meet the demands of the job. Certification provides assurance that the nurse has met established standards of practice and is knowledgeable about current best practices in public health nursing. Certification can also lead to increased career opportunities and higher salaries. Additionally, it may enable nurses to pursue advanced degrees or certifications related to public health nursing, allowing them to further develop their skills and expand their professional network.

Pro Tip: When pursuing public health nurse certification, be sure to take advantage of the resources available to you. Research the certification requirements and any review materials that may be available, such as study guides or practice exams. Taking the time to prepare can help ensure a successful outcome.

Related: What does a Public Health Nurse do?

Top 10 Public Health Nurse Certifications

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

1. Certified Public Health Nurse (CPHN)

Certified Public Health Nurse (CPHN) is a professional designation for Registered Nurses who specialize in public health. CPHNs are experts in community health and prevention, providing care to individuals and families, assessing the health needs of communities, educating the public on how to stay healthy, and advocating for policy changes that promote better health.

It typically takes two years to become a CPHN. To become certified, one must first complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a state license as a Registered Nurse (RN). Then they must complete at least 2000 hours of practice in public health nursing within the past five years. After completing these requirements, they can take the certification exam offered by the National Board for Public Health Examiners (NBPHE).

The cost of becoming a CPHN varies depending on the individual's situation. The cost of tuition for an accredited nursing program is usually around $20,000-$30,000. In addition, there may be fees associated with taking the NBPHE certification exam ($395) and renewing certification every five years ($250).

2. Certified Case Management Nurse (CCMN)

Certified Case Management Nurse (CCMN) is a credential offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is a voluntary certification for registered nurses who specialize in case management. The CCMN credential recognizes nurses who have met specific criteria and demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in the field of case management.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having an active RN license and at least two years of full-time experience in case management. They must also pass an examination that tests their knowledge of the principles and practices of case management.

The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as clinical assessment, care planning, patient education, utilization review, discharge planning, and quality improvement. The entire exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost to take the CCMN exam is $295 for non-members of the ANCC or $245 for members. This fee includes a one-year membership with the ANCC if you are not already a member. Additionally, there is a $50 application fee that must be paid when submitting your application for certification.

3. Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)

Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) is a credential offered by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). The CCHP credential is designed to recognize correctional health professionals who demonstrate excellence in providing quality health care to incarcerated individuals.

To become a Certified Correctional Health Professional, you must meet the following requirements:

- Have a current license or certification in one of the following areas: nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, mental health/substance abuse counseling, social work or other related field.

- Have at least two years of full-time experience in correctional health care within the past five years.

- Successfully complete an NCCHC approved CCHP examination.

The CCHP exam is administered twice a year and consists of 200 multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as medical ethics, infectious diseases, mental health services and substance abuse treatment. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam.

The cost of the CCHP exam is $300 for members of NCCHC and $400 for non-members. After passing the exam, you will receive your Certified Correctional Health Professional certificate from NCCHC.

4. Certified School Nurse (CSN)

Certified School Nurse (CSN) is a professional certification that is designed to recognize and validate the specialized knowledge and skills of school nurses. It is a voluntary certification that requires advanced training and experience in the field of school nursing.

In order to become certified, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam administered by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN). The exam consists of two parts: a written component and a clinical component. The written component covers topics such as health assessment, health promotion, communication, education, advocacy, management, leadership, legal/ethical issues, and research. The clinical component includes both simulated scenarios and actual patient care activities.

The process of becoming certified typically takes between six months to one year depending on the individual's level of preparation. In order to be eligible for certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience as a school nurse or equivalent experience in another related field. Additionally, applicants must hold a valid RN license from their state board of nursing.

The cost to obtain CSN certification varies depending on the applicant's state or country but generally ranges from $250-$500 USD. This cost covers application fees as well as fees associated with taking the exam.

5. Advanced Public Health Nursing Certification (APHNC)

Advanced Public Health Nursing Certification (APHNC) is an optional certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is designed to recognize nurses who have achieved a high level of proficiency in public health nursing practice. The certification requires nurses to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of public health nursing practice, leadership, research, and education.

The APHNC certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To qualify for the certification, nurses must have at least two years of experience as a registered nurse with a minimum of 1 year in public health nursing or community health nursing. In addition, applicants must also pass an exam and submit a portfolio that demonstrates their competency in the areas of public health nursing practice.

To get certified as an APHNC, nurses must first apply to take the exam through the ANCC website. After submitting their application and paying the required fee ($395 for members of ANA/ANCC), they will receive an eligibility letter from ANCC confirming their eligibility to take the exam. Once approved, they can then register for and take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Once they have passed the exam and submitted their portfolio to ANCC for review, they will be notified within 4-6 weeks if they have been successful in obtaining their APHNC certification. The cost of taking the exam is $395 for members of ANA/ANCC or $495 for non-members.

6. Certified Community Health Nurse (CCHN)

Certified Community Health Nurse (CCHN) is a designation given to Registered Nurses who have completed a specialty certification program in community health nursing. This certification is designed to recognize nurses who have achieved advanced knowledge and expertise in providing community-based healthcare services.

It typically takes between two and four years of additional study and experience to earn the CCHN credential. To become certified, you must first be a Registered Nurse (RN) with an active license in good standing. You must also have at least one year of full-time practice as an RN within the last five years, or two years of part-time practice within the last five years.

To get the CCHN credential, you must pass an exam administered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the National Board for Certification of Community Health Nurses (NBCCHN). The exam covers topics such as public health nursing, community health promotion, health disparities, and population-based care.

The cost of obtaining the CCHN credential varies depending on which organization administers the exam. The ANCC exam costs $395 for members and $495 for non-members; while the NBCCHN exam costs $400 for members and $500 for non-members.

7. Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN)

A Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) is a Registered Nurse (RN) who has completed additional training in occupational health and safety. COHNs are responsible for providing healthcare services to employees in the workplace, including preventive care, illness management, injury prevention, and health promotion. They also provide education on health risks associated with the workplace environment and advise employers on how to create a safe working environment.

It typically takes two to three years of full-time study to become a COHN. To qualify for certification, candidates must have an active RN license and at least two years of experience as an occupational health nurse or in a related field. Candidates must also complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education in occupational health nursing within the past five years.

To get certified as a COHN, candidates must pass an exam administered by the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN). The exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as safety management, environmental hazards, ergonomics, epidemiology, and legal issues related to occupational health nursing.

The cost for taking the ABOHN exam is $400 USD for members of ABOHN and $450 USD for non-members. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with preparing for the exam such as purchasing study materials or enrolling in review courses.

8. Certified Ambulatory Care Nurse (CACN)

Certified Ambulatory Care Nurse (CACN) is a certification offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is designed to recognize nurses who have achieved specialized knowledge and expertise in providing care to patients in ambulatory settings. The CACN certification is valid for five years and can be renewed through continuing education activities.

To become certified, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Hold an active RN license
• Have at least two years of experience as an RN in an ambulatory care setting
• Successfully complete 30 hours of continuing education in ambulatory care nursing within the past three years
• Pass the ANCC Certified Ambulatory Care Nursing exam

The cost for taking the exam is $295 for members of the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing or $345 for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining continuing education credits.

9. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Public/Community Health Nursing (APRN-PHN)

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Public/Community Health Nursing (APRN-PHN) is an advanced nursing role that focuses on providing comprehensive health care services to individuals, families, and communities. This type of nursing practice emphasizes preventive care, health promotion, and disease prevention.

It typically takes two to three years of graduate-level education to obtain an APRN-PHN degree. Most programs involve a combination of classroom instruction and clinical experience. Depending on the program, students may need to complete a master’s degree or doctoral degree in nursing. In addition, some states require APRNs to obtain certification from a national certifying body such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The cost of obtaining an APRN-PHN degree varies depending on the school and program chosen. Tuition costs can range from several thousand dollars for a certificate program to tens of thousands of dollars for a master’s or doctoral degree program. Additional fees may include books and other course materials, laboratory fees, and application fees.

In order to become an APRN-PHN, individuals must first obtain a registered nurse (RN) license in their state by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. After becoming licensed as an RN, individuals must then complete an accredited graduate-level program in public/community health nursing and pass the appropriate certification exam in order to become certified as an APRN-PHN.

10. National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN).

The National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) is a professional certification organization that provides a voluntary credential to school nurses. The NBCSN was established in 2002 and is the only nationally recognized certification program for school nurses. It is designed to recognize the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of school nurses who are providing quality care to students in the K-12 educational setting.

To become certified by the NBCSN, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an examination. Eligibility requirements include: current licensure as a registered nurse, at least two years of full-time experience as a school nurse within the past five years, completion of an approved continuing education program in school nursing, and current membership in the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

The NBCSN examination consists of 150 multiple choice questions that cover topics such as health promotion/disease prevention, mental health/behavioral health, legal/ethical considerations, communication/collaboration with other professionals, and assessment/diagnosis. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost to take the NBCSN examination is $325 USD. Once applicants have successfully passed the exam they will receive their certificate from the NBCSN and be eligible to use the credential “NBCSN” after their name.

Do You Really Need a Public Health Nurse Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and career aspirations. A public health nurse certificate can be beneficial for those who are looking to specialize in public health nursing, as it provides additional knowledge and skills that can help them better serve their patients. It also may be useful for those who want to demonstrate a commitment to the field of public health nursing and increase their chances for advancement within the profession.

However, a public health nurse certificate is not required in order to practice as a nurse. Most states do require nurses to be licensed in order to practice, but a certification is not necessarily needed in order to obtain this license. Additionally, many employers may view a certification as an added bonus rather than a requirement when evaluating applicants for positions.

Ultimately, whether or not one needs a public health nurse certificate depends on what they hope to achieve with their nursing career. If they wish to specialize in the field of public health nursing or demonstrate their commitment to the profession, then obtaining a certificate would likely be beneficial. However, if they simply want to practice general nursing without any specific focus on public health, then it may not be necessary.

Related: Public Health Nurse Resume Examples

FAQs About Public Health Nurse Certifications

1. What is a Public Health Nurse Certification?

Answer: A Public Health Nurse Certification is an academic credential that verifies a nurse has the knowledge and skills to work in public health settings. It is awarded by the National Board for Public Health Nursing, which is part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Public Health Nurse Certification?

Answer: The requirements vary depending on the type of certification sought, but generally include meeting eligibility criteria set by the ANCC, passing an exam, and completing continuing education courses related to public health nursing.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a Public Health Nurse?

Answer: The process can take up to six months or more depending on how quickly you complete all of the necessary requirements.

4. How much does it cost to become certified as a Public Health Nurse?

Answer: The fee for applying for certification varies from $50-$200, depending on the type of certification sought. In addition, there may be fees associated with taking and/or renewing any required exams or completing continuing education courses.

5. How often do I need to renew my Public Health Nurse Certification?

Answer: Renewal typically occurs every three years and requires completion of additional continuing education courses related to public health nursing in order to maintain certification status.