Nursing Certifications

What is nursing?
Nursing is an extremely rewarding and diverse field of the healthcare industry. Nurses perform a wide variety of functions in hospitals, clinics and other branches of the healthcare industry. Nurses are mostly charged with looking after patients to ensure their wellbeing and comfort while they are being treated. Nurses learn how to administer emergency care, diagnose a disease and initiate preliminary treatment of patients. They also perform immunizations, carry out various diagnostic tests, administer anesthesia, perform physiotherapy, and assist doctors and physicians. Various administrative and managerial tasks in large hospitals, such as taking patient history, reviewing patient records and filing paperwork related to various cases are also performed by nurses, giving them an extremely important place in the healthcare industry.


What types of certifications are available?
A nurse can complete studies in as little as 1 year, and obtain the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification to start work in the healthcare sector. A more advanced level of certification is the Registered Nurse (RN) certification. Students must complete 2 years of studies before they can appear for the RN exam, which is conducted by the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Nursing certifications offer numerous opportunities for growth and specialization and opens up a host of new careers including higher nursing qualifications, hospital management and some nurses even go on to become successful doctors. Most nursing certifications are issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, or ANCC, which is the world’s largest nursing education organization. The ANCC is closely associated with the American Nursing Association, ANA, and serves a variety of functions. Most importantly, the ANCC and ANA hold educational camps in different cities throughout the country and in the US territories, allowing more and more people to adopt the highly rewarding profession of nursing. These bodies also outline the educational standards and requirements which are the basis on which nursing education is provided by different colleges.

What is the process of certification? What fields of specialization are available?
 Since 1980, countless nurses have obtained ANCC certification which is considered a valuable credential in the healthcare industry, and reflects a person’s knowledge and competence in the field of nursing. Nursing certification is now considered a valuable tool in order to provide better patient care by the US Department of Health, and by 2020, over 90% of nurses will have ANCC certification. In order to appear for the certification exam conducted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, applicants must meet specific education and work experience requirements, which vary according to the fields in which certification is sought. Some of the fields where nursing certifications are offered include psychiatric & mental health, pediatrics, cardiology, gynecology, obstetrics, oncology, immunology, physiology and anatomy. Certifications are also available in ambulatory care, surgical care, peri-operative care, physiotherapy, pain management, rehabilitation, cosmetic surgery and community health. A number of new fields such as case management, nursing education and professional development have also opened up for nurses, and the ANCC offers certification in them as well.

Why get certified?
Nursing certifications not only reflect your high professional level and competence, but also enable you to give the best possible care to patients. A recent survey indicates that patients feel more confident and comfortable when being looked after by certified nurses. Certification does wonders for your careers as well; you earn one of the highest salaries in the healthcare industry, and have excellent opportunities for further education and advancement.

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:Why should I opt for the Nursing certifications?

A:The Nursing certificate programs build the basic learning for your studies and career in nursing. It offers you all the basic knowledge to enter the workforce as soon as possible. Alongside, it creates the perfect route to other bigger qualifications such as the associates and bachelors in the same denomination.

Q:Can you please tell me of any nursing certification more advance than the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

A:Registered Nurse (RN) is a much more advanced nursing certification. It will pick up the pace from your LPN qualification and go ahead to a much higher level.

Q:Are there institutes offering online nursing certificate programs?

A:Yes. There are numerous universities and institutes offering online nursing certificate programs listed on our website.

Q:How long does it take to complete basic nursing certificates like Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

A:Nursing certifications such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) usually take only about a year to complete.

Q:What is the most basic nurse certification?

A:The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is the most basic nurse certification. It creates a strong basis for your nursing career and allows you to enter the workforce and start earning at the quickest.

Q:Which universities offer good nurse certifications?

A:All of the universities and institutions listed at our website offer good and comprehensive nurse certifications. Capella university and Kaplan International are some of the best ones available for such qualifications. They offer online as well as campus-based curriculum.

Q:Is the course structure for the online nursing certificate different from the on-campus program?

A:No. The course structures for the online nursing certificate program is the same as the on-campus program.

Q:Can I get scholarships for the Nurse online Certification program?

A:Yes. You may opt for the Nurse Online Certification scholarship program offered by various institutions listed at our website. You can visit the respective university's websites to get further info on their scholarship procedures as these vary from institute to institute.

Q:Are Nursing Certifications offered by accredited nursing schools?

A:No. Nursing certifications are not offered by nursing schools. These are offered by American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Nursing Association, which is authorized to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and give certification to those who clear the exams. Accredited nursing schools qualify students to appear for the NCLEX.

Q:Do the student loans for the top certifications in nursing affect my credit score?

A:The student loans for all of the best certifications in nursing are just like any other loans. Missing repayments may result in adverse affect on your FICO Credit Worthiness Rating. It is advised not to miss out on any payments to stay away from such issues.

Q:Tell me about the various nursing certifications?

A:There are a bunch of Nursing Certifications. These include introductory certifications to the professional ones. Beginner's level nursing certification includes being a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN), followed by the Registered Nurse Certification, which can be gained by pursuing the associate's degree in nursing or the more comprehensive Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing. Highly professional nursing certifications include the MSN - Master of Sciences in Nursing and the Ph.D. in Nursing certifications that qualify you for administrative level jobs in the profession.

Q:What are the best certifications to become a nurse?

A:There are variety of professional nursing certifications. The best certification is the one that is offered by a recognized institution and caters effectively to your area of specialization such as legal nursing consultancy or nursing administration. Several post graduate certificates programs are also offered by nursing schools and colleges that can enhance the existing knowledge bases of graduates in BSN, MSN or LPN degree programs.

Q:Is there a certification in Nursing Administration program?

A:Yes. A bunch of institutes listed on our website offer the certificate in nursing administration program. It is the most sought after program in nursing. It offers introductory level information and skills required to enter the workforce at the quickest. The Certificate in Nursing Administration can also be pursued online. It qualifies you to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for a Licensed Practical Nurse and be a certified nurse in the states.

Q:Which are the most valued certifications for nurses that can enhance their career prospects?

A:There is a distinct variety of nursing certifications that can improve the career prospects of these professionals. The most valued certifications for nurses include: Licensed Practitioner Nurse or LPN certification that can enable students to get hands on entry level positions at nursing homes and private clinics or small hospitals. While, the RN or Registered Nurse Certification is more well recognized amongst employers and with this certificate nurses can be optimistic about coming across better career growth prospects and opportunities at higher level positions.

Q:What are the advantages of acquiring nursing certifications?

A:There are many advantages of acquiring nursing certifications. These certifications can be attained in different nursing areas such as stroke certification, respiratory certification and many more. a certain certification reflects advanced knowledge in a particular field. Certifications create professional recognition and increase credibility of degree programs, more professional achievement, career advancement in a chosen field, personal accomplishment, higher salary and fringe benefits.

Q:Which are the best Nursing Certifications?

A:The higher the education level gained, the better is the nursing certification required which increases your career prospects as well as pay scales. Beginner's level nursing certifications include Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Certification which is gained with a certificate. The one level above is the Registered Nurse certification which is gained after the ADN or BSN. The most sought after certifications are the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and PhD in Nursing.

Q:What type of nursing certifications can I avail?

A:There are a large number of nursing certifications that will help you build a lucrative career in the field of nursing and healthcare. The most basic certifications take anywhere between 6 months to a year to complete and can be completed in disciplines such as LN (Licensed Nurse), RN (Registered Nurse), nursing assistance and administrative nurse.

Q:When I read about what are good certifications for Registered Nurse, I came across the Psychology of Personality course. What are the contents of this course?

A:To be a Registered Nurse in the United States, many schools are offering a rather contemporary course on Psychology of Personality, to make you understand the psychological side of the studies. This course teaches the students on the factors that shape up the personality. You will get to study the intrapsychic, biological, cognitive, experiential as well as dispositional aspects of psychology in personalities.

Q:My search about scholarship online nurse certification mentioned the minority nurse scholarship program. What are the eligibility requirements for this scholarship?

A:Searching about scholarship online nurse certification would include the minority nurse scholarship program. To be eligible for this scholarship candidate must be a racial or an ethnic minority. Candidates are required to be enrolled in a third or fourth year of an accredited program in the United States. Applicants must have at least 3.0 GPA and are required to be a US citizen or a permanent resident.

Q:What are the main areas of discussion in the certifications for Nursing that relate to Medical Coding?

A:The certifications for Nursing in Medical Coding make the students understand the culture as well as language of the entire community of medicine. Students get to learn the complete terminology as well as codes that are used and spoken in community of medicine. Furthermore, this program also highlights on the techniques used for the purpose of collection and billing and the processes of appeals and reimbursements.

Q:What are prerequisites for nursing certifications for RN?

A:Prerequisites require candidates attempting nursing certifications to first and foremost be a registered nurse. The candidate must attend an approved training program. The candidate will be required to complete their hands on training in an approved medical facility. There are a number of certifications, and for all these certifications the requirements vary. Candidates are recommended to extensively research the certification they are interested in.

Q:As I read on what is the best Nursing certifications, there was mention of the course on Muscle Relaxants. What are the contents of this course?

A:It is common to get to read about the course on Muscle Relaxants while going through articles on what is the best Nursing certifications. This course is worth 4 credits in total and highlights on making the students understand the various drugs and medications that may be helpful in functioning as muscle relaxants. Hormones, topicals and nonnarcotic analgesics are also part of the course.

Q:Which Nursing Certification Is The Best for me?

A:The best nursing certification depends on what nursing area you wish to specialize in. There are an umber of nursing branches that you can pick for specialization depending on your interest level. Ambulatory care nurses, ICU nurses, neonatal nurses, gerontology nurses etc are a few examples. The salary level of the nursing field also plays a major role in determining which nursing degree is a great option. High paying nursing careers are in great demand nowadays for example anesthetist nursing.

Q:What are some of the advantages of medical surgical nursing certification?

A:Getting a nursing certification is a significant professional achievement that can go a long way in helping you fulfill the career dream you have for yourself. This certification signifies that a nurse has the highest standard of practice. Some of the benefits of certification are: (i) increasing professional growth and credibility (ii) increasing your earning power (iii) showing professional commitment.

Q:Are there any nursing certification programs available in the field of sonography?

A:Nurses can specialize in the area of sonography through various certification programs. The certificate will qualify an individual as a nurse sonographer. The coursework usually includes topics such as echo cardiology, abdominal sonography, human anatomy, vascular sonography, digital imaging protocol, obstetric sonography, and gynecological sonography. These certificate programs can be earned online as well.

Q:AANCN was mentioned when searching for nurse certification programs. What is the purpose of this organization?

A:There is a possibility that AANCN would be mentioned when searching for nurse certification programs. AANCN stands for American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing. This organization is a division of the American Nurses Association. It is responsible for identifying ambulatory care as a specialty. This organization also assists nursing professionals with their development. With the health care industry expanding all over the United States, there is huge potential for students interested in this profession.

Q:Even though I am working as a nurse currently, I have heard that acquiring further RN Certifications can help me in my career. Can you explain how?

A:Nursing certifications can help you boost your career in a number of ways. Certifications reflect credibility and professionalism in a certain field. With nursing certification, you can apply for better job opportunities, excel in your field, and even get an income boost. There are many nursing organizations that offer certificate programs to students and professionals.

Q:Can you get certified as an RN online?

A:There are many nursing schools that are now offering RN degree programs online. These are designed to help students become qualified nurses without having to attend campus classes. An online nursing program will equip students with knowledge and skills relevant to nursing occupation. They can then apply for a nursing license and get certified.

Q:Going through the nursing certifications list I found LPN certification course, can you tell me about it?

A:There are number of nursing certifications available that prove your professional competence to handle particular job responsibilities. An LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) certification provides an in depth study on nursing practices, human anatomy, physiology and medical terminology. It prepares individuals for entry level positions in the healthcare settings such as clinics and hospitals.

Q:Which RN Certification is most widely recognized?

A:The RN certification that is most widely recognized is the Registered Nursing Certification. The RN certification is achieved by sitting for and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. The NCLEX is recognized in all states of the country. The exam consists of questions of topics such as effective human care, stress management and nursing principles.

Q:What are the eligibilities for Nursing Certifications?

A:There are many nursing certifications you can acquire depending on what area you want to specialize in. Each certification comes with its own eligibility criteria and may vary from state to state. For example, an Acute/Critical Care Nursing (Adult, Pediatric & Neonatal) (CCRN) certification offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (ACCN) has the following eligibility requirements: licensure as APRN or RN, and completion of 1,750 clinical hours during the previous two years, in direct bedside care of acutely and/or critically ill patients with 875 hours among these spent in the recent year preceding the application. Second option is a minimum of 2,000 hours, during at least five years, in direct bedside care of acutely and/or critically ill patients with 144 hours among these spent in the recent year preceding application. The eligibility for nursing certification may vary from certificate to certificate. (Source: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)

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