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Best Nurse Practitioner certifications
The best certifications for a nurse practitioner are Family nurse practitioner, Adult nurse practitioner (ANP-BC), and Family nurse practitioner (FNP).
Nurse practitioner certifications demonstrate your competency as a nurse practitioner to employers. However, not all nurse practitioner certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best nurse practitioner certifications. Obtaining a nurse practitioner certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
According to Catharine Armentrout, Assistant Director of FNP Program at American International College, "Skills that stand out on a nurse practitioner's resume should include: use of EMR's (i.e., EPIC), dictation applications like Dragon, performing procedures including IV placement, Phlebotomy, punch biopsy for skin changes, I and D of wounds, suturing, wound care (wound vac, e.g.), Foley placement as you might be surprised what occurs in a primary care office, ability to interpret EKG's, CXR's, lab results, ability to identify skin changes, stages of wounds and develop treatment plans for wound care, ability to reduce utilization of the emergency room via primary care/ telehealth and preventing hospitalizations when possible, ability to review end of life decisions with patients and families, including MOLST, Advanced directives, Health Care Proxy, having a good bedside manner, ability to speak to patients and families using language they can understand. Having the ability to follow through on previous visits regarding abnormal labs, diagnostic tests even if the results are normal and overall providing excellent customer service. Knowing when to ask for help is always a strength. You will most likely be among very experienced providers, and they will know you care because you asked about something you were not sure about or requested a second opinion. Nurse practitioners, first starting out, will likely receive the starting pay rate for the area they are working in. Urban vs. Suburban vs. Rural areas will have, often, significant differences, and it is not always about the cost of living. The longer the FNP was a nurse before graduating may not have much impact on starting pay, but nursing experience and clinical experiences during graduate school should be noted on the resume to help the employer understand the true clinical background of the applicant. Due to your research! Evaluate practices and check reviews. Network your colleagues and co-workers and think outside the box because your next job might be a dream come true!"20 best certifications for nurse practitioners
20 best nurse practitioner certifications
1. Family Nurse Practitioner
The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners. This certification aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
2. Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC)
Eligibility Criteria Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country. International Applicants: Learn about additional requirements for candidates outside the US. Hold a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral degree* from an adult nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours must be included in the adult nurse practitioner role and population. Three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses in: -Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span -Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches -Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents Content in: -Health promotion and/or maintenance -Differential diagnosis and disease management
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
3. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The FNP certification examination is an entry-level competency-based examination that tests clinical knowledge in family/individual care.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
4. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP-BC)
This certification is for the adult acute care population. Eligibility Criteria: Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country. International Applicants: Learn about additional requirements for candidates outside the US. Hold a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral degree* from an acute care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours must be included in the acute care nurse practitioner role and population. Three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses in: -Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span -Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches -Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents Content in: -Health promotion and/or maintenance -Differential diagnosis and disease management
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
5. Certified Nurse Technician (CNT)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? No
6. Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)
Eligibility Criteria: Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or hold the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country. Hold a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours must be included in the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner role and population. Three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses in: -Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span -Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches -Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents | Content in: -Health promotion and/or maintenance -Differential diagnosis and disease management, including the use and prescription of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
7. Medical Examiner Certification
The Medical Examiner Certification was developed to certify medical examiners who can determine whether a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver meets Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards and guidelines. Candidates must be an advanced practice nurse, doctor of chiropractic, doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, physician assistant, or other medical professional authorized by applicable State laws and regulations to perform physical examinations and must complete training that reviews FMCSA-specific knowledge about CMV drivers and the physical and mental demands of their job. Candidates must pass a written examination.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
8. Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
Certification in any field is a mark of professionalism. For academic nurse educators, it establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), you serve as a leader and a role model.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
9. Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Nurses (CCRN)
CCRN specialty certification was introduced in 1976 for nurses providing care to acutely and/or critically ill adult, pediatric and neonatal patients. Nurses interested in this certification may work in specialty areas such as intensive care units, cardiac care units, combined ICU/CCUs, medical/surgical ICUs, trauma units or critical care transport/flight.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
10. Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
11. Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
Every second counts when stabilizing life-threatening trauma cases. This course, taught by qualified emergency nurses, prepares you with the knowledge, critical thinking skills and hands-on training needed to provide high-quality, trauma nursing care. After completing this course, you will be able to properly assess and implement evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for your patients.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? No
- Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
12. Medical Assistant
The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
13. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
The CEN certification is the certification specific to emergency nursing and measures the attainment of a defined body of nursing knowledge pertinent to that particular specialty.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 4 year(s)
14. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners. This certification aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
15. Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
16. Pediatrics
A physician specializing in Pediatrics is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 10 year(s)
17. Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN)
Becoming board certified is a voluntary process that requires consistent evaluations of a nurse's professional knowledge and skills. While a nurse who is not board certified may possess basic entry-level skills, he or she may not have the specialized skills and experience to adequately provide expert care. Board certification ensures that a nurse is knowledgeable and well qualified to provide specialized care.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
18. Certified Nephrology Nurse - Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
19. Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
The Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators ("Examination") is designed and intended solely for health care professionals who have defined roles as diabetes educators, not for those who may perform some diabetes related functions as part of or in the course of other usual and customary duties.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
20. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC)
The ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing board certification examination is a competency based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the psychiatric-mental health specialty after initial RN licensure. Once you complete eligibility requirements to take the certification examination and successfully pass the exam, you are awarded the credential: Registered Nurse-Board Certified (RN-BC).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for a nurse practitioner?
The best nurse practitioner certification is Family nurse practitioner. The Family nurse practitioner is awarded by the ANA Enterprise. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation. Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this nurse practitioner certification: To become a certified Family nurse practitioner, you need to pass the exam. This certificate requires more than two years of work experience. Renew certification every 5 year.
According to Regina Cardaci Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, "Critical care, specially care of ventilated patients, Pulmonary care, Epidemiology, Infection control, and Disaster nursing are certifications/licenses/courses that can have the biggest impact for nurse practitioners. In addition to these obvious certifications, there needs to be preceptors who are able to help transition these new graduates, who may be underprepared from Schools of Nursing, to becoming independently functioning nurses. The importance of the preceptor in new nurse retention and patient safety cannot be minimized. Healthcare organizations that place a large number of new graduates may benefit from increasing focus on preceptor training for its current staff."
Jennifer Richter MSN, RN, TBSN Program Director, Instructor/Course Coordinator at The University of West Florida, recommends to "earn an advanced degree, gain certification in a specialty, and increase your skill set to help raise your salary potential. Many facilities will cover the cost of certification tests and many also offer training for specific skills such as midline placement and PICC placement that can increase your knowledge base and value."
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for nurse practitioners?
The most in-demand nurse practitioner certification is Family nurse practitioner based on all active job postings. Having this nurse practitioner certification will give you access to more nurse practitioner jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a nurse practitioner career and salary?
The Family Medicine certification will help you to secure a physician assistant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A physician assistant's average salary is $126,450 whereas nurse practitioners make an average salary of $100,033.
The most common combination of nurse practitioner certifications include: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC), and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
Online courses for nurse practitioners to earn certifications
1. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
2. Health for All Through Primary Health Care
This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...
3. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
4. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
5. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative
Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...
6. Trauma Emergencies and Care
Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...
7. Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course
Become A Certified Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, Nurse Aide/ Caregiver At The End Of This Course. Enroll Now!!...
8. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training
Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...
9. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
10. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes
COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...
11. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
12. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
13. Palliative Care Always Capstone Course
The Palliative Care Always Capstone course is designed to let you test your knowledge about palliative and help others understand the value of palliative care, while showing your creative side. In this course, you will impact community awareness about palliative care, promote self-care and wellness, show-off your communication skills in a virtual environment, and finish the course off by proving your thoughts on ways to offer psychosocial support to a patient and family...
14. Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care
In this course, you will be able to develop a systems view for assessing and managing pain in the palliative care setting. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1) Describe the pain problem in the palliative care setting; 2) Assess a person’s pain, 3) Explain the benefits of integrative therapies and pharmacologic strategies to manage pain...
15. Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children
Welcome to the final course of lectures in your quest to master EMT basics. In this course, we will cover some of the highest-stress patient populations: pregnant patients and kids, also known as pediatrics. To wrap up your EMT knowledge we will end this course with information about hazmat situations, extricating patients from tight spots and finally how you write a note about your patient care. You will learn to ensure it communicates what your assessment of the patient was, what...
16. Health Care Delivery in Healthcare Organizations
Have you ever needed health care and thought that there must be better ways to get or deliver health care? For example, have you found yourself thinking that there should be a way to get a diagnostic test or treatment at home? Or do you work in a healthcare organization and find yourself thinking that there must be better ways to deliver health care? If you have, this course is for you. Course content includes an overview of health care delivery including healthcare consumerism, the patient's...
17. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers
This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...
18. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...
19. Health Care IT: Challenges and Opportunities
A strong argument can be made that the health care field is one of the most information-intensive sectors in the U.S. economy and avoidance of the rapid advances in information technology is no longer an option. Consequently, the study of health care information technology and systems has become central to health care delivery effectiveness. This course covers the modern application of information technology that is critical to supporting the vision and operational knowledge of the health care...
20. COVID-19 Training for Healthcare Workers
COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across the globe and all providers must be prepared to recognize, stabilize and treat patients with novel coronavirus infection. Following completion of this short course physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will have a unified, evidenced-based approach to saving the lives of patients with COVID-19, including those who are critically ill. Learning modules are broken into short videos presented in a richly illustrated and compelling manner. The...