Nursing credentials and certifications
Encyclopedia
A nurse's postnominal credential
s usually follow his or her name in this order:
Generally credentials are listed from most to least permanent. A degree, once earned, cannot, in normal circumstances, be taken away. State licensure is only revoked for serious professional misconduct. Certifications generally must be periodically renewed by examination or the completion of a prescribed number of continuing education units (CEUs).
Nurses may also hold non-nursing credentials including academic degrees. These are usually omitted unless they are related to the nurse's job. For instance, a staff nurse would likely not list an MBA, but a nurse manager might choose to do so.
Nursing credentials are separated from the person's name (and from each other) with commas. There are usually no periods within the credentials (e.g. "BSN" not "B.S.N.").
and Canada
, many nurses who choose a specialty become certified
in that area, signifying that they possess expert knowledge. There are over 200 nursing specialties and subspecialties
. Studies from the Institute of Medicine
have demonstrated that specialty-certified nurses have higher rates of patient satisfaction, as well as lower rates of work-related errors in patient care
.
Registered nurse
s (RNs) are not required to be certified in a certain specialty by law. For example, it is not necessary to be a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) (a medical surgical nursing certification
) to work on a Medical-Surgical (MedSurg) floor, and most MedSurg nurses are not CMSRNs. Certifications do, however, instill professionalism and make the nurse more attractive to prospective and current employers. Certified nurses also sometimes earn a salary
differential over their non-certified colleagues.
Some hospital
s and other health care
facilities are willing to pay a certified nurse extra when he or she works within their specialty. Also, some hospitals may require certain nurses, such as nursing supervisors or lead nurses, be certified. Certification instills confidence in the nurses. Magnet hospitals advocate certifications.
Credential
A credential is an attestation of qualification, competence, or authority issued to an individual by a third party with a relevant or de facto authority or assumed competence to do so....
s usually follow his or her name in this order:
- Highest earned academic degreeAcademic degreeAn academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in or related to nursing (e.g. "MSN") - Nursing licensure (e.g. "RN")
- Nursing certification (e.g. "CCRN")
Generally credentials are listed from most to least permanent. A degree, once earned, cannot, in normal circumstances, be taken away. State licensure is only revoked for serious professional misconduct. Certifications generally must be periodically renewed by examination or the completion of a prescribed number of continuing education units (CEUs).
Nurses may also hold non-nursing credentials including academic degrees. These are usually omitted unless they are related to the nurse's job. For instance, a staff nurse would likely not list an MBA, but a nurse manager might choose to do so.
Nursing credentials are separated from the person's name (and from each other) with commas. There are usually no periods within the credentials (e.g. "BSN" not "B.S.N.").
Nursing certifications
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, many nurses who choose a specialty become certified
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
in that area, signifying that they possess expert knowledge. There are over 200 nursing specialties and subspecialties
Subspecialty
A subspecialty is narrow field within a specialty such as forensic pathology, which is a subspecialty of anatomical pathology. A subspecialist is a specialist of a subspecialty....
. Studies from the Institute of Medicine
Institute of Medicine
The Institute of Medicine is a not-for-profit, non-governmental American organization founded in 1970, under the congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences...
have demonstrated that specialty-certified nurses have higher rates of patient satisfaction, as well as lower rates of work-related errors in patient care
Medical error
A medical error may be defined as a preventable adverse effect of care, whether or not it is evident or harmful to the patient. This might include an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis or treatment of a disease, injury, syndrome, behavior, infection, or other ailment.-Definitions:As a general...
.
Registered nurse
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
s (RNs) are not required to be certified in a certain specialty by law. For example, it is not necessary to be a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) (a medical surgical nursing certification
Medical surgical nursing certification
Medical-surgical nurses who meet eligibility requirements and successfully pass a multiple choice exam become certified.Medical-surgical nursing certification is offered by two organizations in the US:...
) to work on a Medical-Surgical (MedSurg) floor, and most MedSurg nurses are not CMSRNs. Certifications do, however, instill professionalism and make the nurse more attractive to prospective and current employers. Certified nurses also sometimes earn a salary
Salary
A salary is a form of periodic payment from an employer to an employee, which may be specified in an employment contract. It is contrasted with piece wages, where each job, hour or other unit is paid separately, rather than on a periodic basis....
differential over their non-certified colleagues.
Some hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s and other health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
facilities are willing to pay a certified nurse extra when he or she works within their specialty. Also, some hospitals may require certain nurses, such as nursing supervisors or lead nurses, be certified. Certification instills confidence in the nurses. Magnet hospitals advocate certifications.
Alphabetical listing of nursing and related credentials and certifications
A
- AAS: Associate of Applied Science
- AAN: Associate of Arts in Nursing
- ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life SupportAdvanced cardiac life supportAdvanced cardiac life support or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support refers to a set of clinical interventions for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest and other life threatening medical emergencies, as well as the knowledge and skills to deploy those interventions.Extensive medical knowledge...
(not intended for postnominal use) - ACNP-BC: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
- ACNPC: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification
- ACRN: AIDS Certified Registered Nurse
- ADLS: Advanced Disaster Life Support
- ADN: Associate Degree in NursingAssociate of Science in NursingAn Associate of Science in Nursing is a tertiary education nursing degree. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Some four year colleges also offer this degree...
- ALNC: Advanced Legal Nurse Cosultant
- ANP-BC: Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified
- AOCN: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse
- AOCNP: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner
- AOCNS: Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist
- APHN-BC: Advanced Public Health Nurse-Board Certified
- APN: Advanced Practice NurseAdvanced practice nurseAn advanced practice registered nurse is a nurse with advanced didactic and clinical education, knowledge, skills, and scope of practice in nursing....
- ARNP: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
- ASN: Associate of Science in NursingAssociate of Science in NursingAn Associate of Science in Nursing is a tertiary education nursing degree. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Some four year colleges also offer this degree...
- APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
B
- BLS: Basic Life SupportBasic life supportBasic life support is the level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until the patient can be given full medical care at a hospital. It can be provided by trained medical personnel, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and by...
(not intended for postnominal use) - BDLS: Basic Disaster Life Support
- BM: Bachelor of Midwifery
- BN: Bachelor of Nursing
- BScN: Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing (Canada)
- BHSc Nsg: Bachelor Health Science—Nursing Nursing Qualification for RNs in Australia
- BSN: Bachelor of Science in NursingBachelor of Science in NursingThe Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an American four year academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by a tertiary education university or similarly accredited school...
C
- CANP: Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner
- CATN-P: Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing -Provider
- CATN-I: Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing -Instructor
- CAPA: Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia nurse
- CARN: Certified Addictions Registered Nurse
- CBN: Certified Bariatric Nurse
- CCCN: Certified Continence Care Nurse
- CCM: Certified Case ManagerCertified Case ManagerCertified Case Managers are certified by The Commission for Case Manager Certification and participate in a collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the options and services available to a person in need of health services...
- CCNS: Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist
- CCRN: Certified Critical Care Nurse
- CCTC: Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator
- CCTN: Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse
- CTRN: Certified Critical Care Transportation Nurse
- CDDN: Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse
- CDE: Certified Diabetes Educator
- CDMS: Certified Disability Management Specialist
- CDN: Certified Dialysis Nurse
- CDONA/LTC: Certified Director of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care
- C-EFM: Certified in Electronic Fetal Monitoring
- CEN: Certified Emergency Nurse
- CETN: Certified Enterostomal Therapy Nurse
- CFCN: Certified Foot Care Nurse
- CFN: Certified Forensic Nurse
- CFNP: Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
- CFRN: Certified Flight Registered Nurse
- CHES: Certified Health Education Specialist
- CGN: Certified Gastroenterology Nurse
- CGRN: Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse
- CHN: Certified Hemodyalisis Nurse
- CHPN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
- CHRN: Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse
- CIC: Certified in Infection Control
- CLC: Certified Lactation Counselor
- CLNC: Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
- CMA: Certified Medical Assistant
- CM: Certified Midwife
- CMC: Cardiac Medicine Certification
- CMCN: Certified Managed Care Nurse
- CMDSC: Certified MDSMinimum Data SetThe Minimum Data Set is part of the U.S. federally mandated process for clinical assessment of all residents in Medicare or Medicaid certified nursing homes...
Coordinator - CMSRN: Certified Medical—Surgical Registered Nurse
- CNA: Certified in Nursing Administration
- CNE: Certified Nurse Educator
- CNL: Clinical Nurse LeaderClinical nurse leaderThe Clinical Nurse Leader is a relatively new nursing role that was developed to prepare highly skilled nurses focused on the improvement of quality and safety outcomes for patients or patient populations...
- CNLCP: Certified Nurse Life Care Planner
- CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife
- CNML: Certified Nurse Manager and Leader
- CNN: Certified in Nephrology Nursing
- CNOR: Certified Nurse, Operating Room
- CNO: Chief Nursing Officer
- CNP: Certified Nurse Practitioner
- C-NPT: Certified in Neonatal Pediatric TransportCertified in Neonatal Pediatric TransportCertified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport is the designation for an neonatal nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, respiratory therapists, paramedic, and physician assistant who has earned certification from the National Certification Corporation in neonatal and pediatric transport.-External...
- CNRN: Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse
- CNS: Clinical Nurse SpecialistClinical nurse specialistA clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice registered nurse, with graduate preparation from a program that prepares CNSs. According to the APRN Consensus Model for Regulation "The CNS serves a unique APRN role in integrating care across the continuum and through three spheres of...
- CNSN: Certified Nutrition Support Nurse
- COCN: Certified Ostomy Care Nurse
- COHN: Certified Occupational Health Nurse
- COHN/CM: Certified Occupational Health Nurse/Case Manager
- COHN-S: Certified Occupational Health Nurse—Specialist
- COHN-S/CM: Certified Occupational Health Nurse—Specialist/Case Manager
- CORLN: Certified Otorhinolaryngology Nurse
- CPAN: Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse
- CPDN: Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse
- CPEN: Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse
- CPHQ: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
- CPN: Certified Pediatric Nurse
- CPNA: Certified Pediatric Nurse Associate
- CPNL: Certified Practical Nurse, Long-term care
- CPNP: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- CPON: Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse
- CPSN: Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse
- CRN: Certified Radiologic Nurse
- CRNA: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- CRNFA: Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant
- CRNI: Certified Registered Nurse Intravenous
- CRNL: Certified Registered Nurse, Long-term care
- CRNO: Certified Registered Nurse in Ophthalmology
- CRNP: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
- CRRN: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse
- CRRN-A: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse—Advanced
- CS: Clinical Specialist
- CSC: Cardiac Surgery Certification
- C-SPI: Certified Specialist in Poison Information
- CT: Certified in Thanatology (dying, death and bereavement)
- CTN: Certified Transcultural Nurse
- CTRN: Certified Transport Registered Nurse
- CTRS: Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist
- CUA: Certified Urologic Associate
- CUCNS: Certified Urologic Clinical Nurse Specialist
- CUNP: Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner
- CURN: Certified Urologic Registered Nurse
- CVN: Certified Vascular Nurse
- CWCN: Certified Wound Care Nurse
- CWOCN: Certified Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse
- CWS: Certified Wound Specialist
D
- DN: Doctor of Nursing
- DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- DrNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- DNS: Doctor of Nursing ScienceDoctor of Nursing ScienceThe Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal professional degree that focuses on the clinical aspects of nursing rather than academic research. The curriculum for the DNP degree generally includes advanced practice, leadership, and application of clinical research. The DNP is intended primarily...
also seen as DNSc
E
- EdD: Doctor of EducationDoctor of EducationThe Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
- EN: Enrolled NurseLicensed Practical NurseLicensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
- ENPC: Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (not intended for postnominal use)
- ET: Enterostomal Therapist
F
- FAAN: Fellow, American Academy of NursingAmerican Academy of NursingThe American Academy of Nursing generates, synthesizes, and disseminates nursing knowledge to contribute to health policy and practice for the benefit of the public and the nursing profession....
- FAAPM: Fellow, American Academy of Pain Management
- FAEN: Fellow, Academy of Emergency Nursing
- FNC: Family Nurse Clinician
- FNP-C: Family Nurse Practitioner (Certified by AANP)
- FNP-BC: Family Nurse Practitioner (Certified by ANCC)
- FPNP: Family Planning Nurse Practitioner
- FRCN: Fellow, Royal College of Nursing
- FRCNA: Fellow, Royal College of Nursing, Australia
G
- GN: Graduate Nurse (awaiting RN licensure)
- GNP: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- GPN: General Pediatric Nurse
- GPN: Graduate Practical Nurse
- GRN: Graduate Registered Nurse
I
- IBQH: International Board for Quality in Healthcare
- IBCLC: International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant
- ICC: Intensive Care Certification
- INC: Intensive Neonatal Care certification
- IPN: Immunisation Program Nurse: Queensland Australia specialist qualification / endorsement
L
- LCCE: Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
- LNC: Legal Nurse Consultant
- LNCC: Legal Nurse Consultant, Certified
- LNP: Licensed Nurse Practitioner—Used by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Board of Nursing, as a license status
- LPN: Licensed Practical NurseLicensed Practical NurseLicensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
- LSN: Licensed School Nurse
- LTC: Long Term Care (LPN Specific)
- LVN: Licensed Vocational NurseLicensed Practical NurseLicensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
M
- MA: Master of Arts
- MAN: Master of Arts in Nursing
- MICT: Master of Information and Communication Technology
- ME: Menopause Educator
- MEd: Masters in Education
- MEmerg Nsg: Masters Degree in Emergency Nursing AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
- MHN: Mental Health Nurse—Registered Nurse Endorsed to practice Advanced nursing in Mental Health http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Queensland_(Australia)&redirect=no
- MICN: Mobile Intensive Care Nurse
- MN: Master of NursingMaster of Science in NursingA Master of Science in Nursing is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree also may prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse administrator, health policy expert, or clinical nurse leader...
- MPH: Master of Public HealthMaster of Public HealthThe Master of Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health are multi-disciplinary professional degrees awarded for studies in areas related to public health....
- MS: Master of Science
- MSN: Master of Science in NursingMaster of Science in NursingA Master of Science in Nursing is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree also may prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse administrator, health policy expert, or clinical nurse leader...
N
- NCSN: National Certified School Nurse
- NE-BC: Nurse Executive-Board Certified
- NEA-BC: Nurse Executive Advanced-Board Certified
- NNP-BC: Neonatal Nurse PractitionerNeonatal Nurse PractitionerNeonatal Nurse Practitioner is the designation for a neonatal nurse practitioner who has earned nursing board certification from the National Certification Corporation....
- NPC: Nurse Practitioner, Certified
- NPP: Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric
- NZCFN: New Zealand Certified Flight Nurse
P
- PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life SupportPediatric Advanced Life SupportPediatric Advanced Life Support is a 2 day American Heart Association training program. The goal of the course is to aid the pediatric healthcare provider in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to efficiently and effectively manage critically ill infants and children, resulting in...
(skill-based, not intended for postnominal use) - PCCN: Progressive Care Certified Nurse
- PCNS: Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- PhD: Doctor of PhilosophyDoctor of PhilosophyDoctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
- PHN: Public Health Nurse
- PHRN: Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse
- PMHCNS-BC: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
- PMHNP-BC: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- PNP-BC: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
R
- RN: Registered nurseRegistered nurseA registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
- RIN: Rural and Isolated Practice Registered NursesRural and Isolated Practice Registered NursesRural and Isolated Practice Registered Nurses is a classification for nurses practising in defined rural and remote areas in Queensland, Australia...
(RIPRN) (Queensland, Australia) - RN-BC: Registered Nurse, ANCC Board Certified
- RNC: Registered Nurse, Certified: American Academy Certified Nurse
- RNC-LRN: Registered Nurse Certified in Low Risk Neonatal NursingRegistered Nurse Certified in Low Risk Neonatal NursingRegistered Nurse, Certified in Low Risk Neonatal Nursing is the designation for a neonatal nurse who has earned nursing board certification from the National Certification Corporation in low risk neonatal nursing.-External links:*...
- RNC-MNN: Registered Nurse Certified in Maternal Newborn NursingRegistered Nurse Certified in Maternal Newborn NursingRegistered Nurse, Certified in Maternal Newborn Nursing is the designation for an obstetrical nurse who has earned nursing board certification from the National Certification Corporation in maternal/newborn nursing.-External links:*...
- RNC-NIC: Registered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive CareRegistered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive CareRegistered Nurse, Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care is the designation for an neonatal nurse who has earned nursing board certification from the National Certification Corporation in neonatal intensive care nursing.-External links:*...
- RNC-OB: Registered Nurse Certified in Inpatient ObstetricsRegistered Nurse Certified in Inpatient ObstetricsRegistered Nurse, Certified in Inpatient Obstetrics is the designation for an obstetrical nurse who has earned nursing board certification from the National Certification Corporation.-External links:*...
- RNCS: Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist
- RNCS: Registered Nurse Certified Specialist
- RNFA: Registered Nurse First Assistant
- RPN: Registered practical nurseLicensed Practical NurseLicensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
S
- SANE-A: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent
- SANE-P: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric
- SEN: State Enrolled NurseLicensed Practical NurseLicensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
- SHN: Sexual and Reproductive Health endorsed RN—Queensland Australia
- SN: Student Nurse (RN preparation)
- SPN: Student Nurse (LPN preparation)
- SRNA: Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist(CRNA preparation)
- SVN: Student Nurse (LVN preparation)
T
- TNCC-I: Trauma Nursing Core Course Instructor (not intended for postnominal use)
- TNCC-P: Trauma Nursing Core Course Provider (not intended for postnominal use)
- TNP: Telephone Nursing Practitioner
- TNS: Trauma Nurse Specialist