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Best psychiatric registered nurse certifications

The best certifications for a psychiatric registered nurse are Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

Psychiatric registered nurse certifications demonstrate your competency as a psychiatric registered nurse to employers. However, not all psychiatric registered nurse certifications provide the same value.

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

7 best psychiatric registered nurse certifications

1. 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).

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 organization
ANA Enterprise

2. 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).

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 organization
ANA Enterprise

3. 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

4. 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.

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 1 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Society of Phlebotomy...

5. 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)

7. 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

What is the best certification for a psychiatric registered nurse?

The best psychiatric registered nurse certification is Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC). The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC) 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 psychiatric registered nurse certification:

  • To become a certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 5 year.

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

The most in-demand psychiatric registered nurse certification is Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing based on all active job postings. Having this psychiatric registered nurse certification will give you access to more psychiatric registered nurse jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a psychiatric registered nurse career and salary?

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification will help you to secure a advanced registered nurse practitioner position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A advanced registered nurse practitioner's average salary is $80,405 whereas psychiatric registered nurses make an average salary of $73,053.

Best certifications

The most common combination of psychiatric registered nurse certifications include: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

Online courses for psychiatric registered nurses to earn certifications

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