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Best pediatric nurse certifications

Pediatric nurse certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an pediatric nurse to employers. However, not all pediatric nurse certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a pediatric nurse are Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), and Pediatric Nursing (RN-BC).

Below is a list of the best pediatric nurse certifications. Obtaining an pediatric nurse certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

15 best pediatric nurse certifications

1. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

14 hours of coursework

Certification details
  • 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 2 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Heart Association

2. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying website
Certified Nurse Assistant

3. Pediatric Nursing (RN-BC)

The ANCC Pediatric 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 pediatric 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).

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Pediatric Nursing
Certifying organization
ANA Enterprise

4. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)

5. 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).

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Family Nurse Practitioner
Certifying organization
ANA Enterprise

6. Basic Life Support (BLS)

The Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Classroom Course is designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner.

Certification details
  • 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 2 year(s)
Certifying website
Basic Life Support
Certifying organization
American Heart Association

7. Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)

The American Organization of Nurse Executives Credentialing Center (AONE-CC) is a division of the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). Its mission is to create, facilitate and administer the premier certification programs for nurse executives and nurse managers. The AONE-CC Nurse Executive Steering Committee is charged with governance of the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) certification program con- ducted by the AONE-CC. Committee members are appointed to represent AONE's professional certification program stakeholders.

Certification details
  • 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)

8. Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

The Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam offers respected, accredited board certification since 1989 for RNs with experience in the pediatric specialty. CPN certification can open doors to advancement, increase confidence, and provide a personal sense of accomplishment. Recertification is annual. You will need a current, valid, unrestricted, and unencumbered RN license plus a minimum of 1800 hours of pediatric clinical experience completed within the past 24 months. Examples of accepted experience are direct patient care, teaching, administration, clinical research, school-based care, home health care, or consultation in pediatric nursing. You may have a diploma, associate's, bachelor's, master's, or Doctorate in nursing.

Certification details
  • 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 1 year(s)

9. Pediatrics

A physician specializing in Pediatrics is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Pediatrics
Certifying organization
American Board of Medical...

11. Certified Nurse Technician (CNT)

Certification details
  • 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
Certifying organization
National Healthcareer Association

12. Wound Care Certified (WCC)

The NAWC offers the Wound Care Certification Examination to measure the academic and technical competence of eligible candidates in the area of Skin and Wound Care Management. Upon obtaining a passing score on the Certification examination, candidates may use the initials WCC, Wound Care Certified, to designate their status.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Wound Care Certified
Certifying organization
National Alliance of Wound...

13. Certified Dialysis - Licensed Vocational Nurse (CD-LVN)

Certification details
  • 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)

14. Certified Gastroenterology Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)

Certification details
  • 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. 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.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying organization
National League for Nursing

What is the best certification for a pediatric nurse?

The best pediatric nurse certification is Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is awarded by the American Heart Association. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this pediatric nurse certification:

  • To become a certified Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 2 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for pediatric nurses?

The most in-demand pediatric nurse certification is Pediatric Advanced Life Support based on all active job postings. Having this pediatric nurse certification will give you access to more pediatric nurse jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a pediatric nurse career and salary?

The Family Nurse Practitioner certification will help you to secure a registered nurse position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A registered nurse's average salary is $63,827 whereas pediatric nurses make an average salary of $72,945.

Best certifications

The most common combination of pediatric nurse certifications include: Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), and Pediatric Nursing (RN-BC).

Online courses for pediatric nurses to earn certifications

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