Nursing certifications are essential for nurses and provide additional assurance that the RNs caring for patients are competent, well-trained, seasoned professionals.
Numerous studies demonstrate that nurse certification improves patient care and safety. According to a 2002 poll, more than 73% of individuals pick a hospital that employs a more significant proportion of nurses with specialty certification.
Types of Nursing Certifications
Various nursing certifications are available for nurses who want to advance in their professions. Depending on your profession and education level, some are accessible. Others consider your specialty.
First, certificates are offered for various stages of the nursing profession, starting with CNAs and LPN Nurses and progressing to APRNs with MSN training. There are predetermined certificates available for each nursing level. Some nursing credentials, such as those aimed at RNs or APRNs, are specifically intended for that nursing level. However, some could be accessible to both.
Additionally, certificates are based on your specialty and determined by your goals and interests. For example, you can obtain certification in cancer, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and many more specialist fields.
What Nursing Certifications Are Most Important for New Graduates?
Although there is a severe shortage of nurses, getting the nursing career of your dreams right out of nursing school may be difficult.
Certifications are among the things that will unquestionably improve your marketability as a newly qualified nurse. So let’s examine the best nursing credentials for recent graduates that will offer you an advantage over other applicants.
The minimum standard for nurses is widely considered certification in essential life support (BLS). This specific qualification is suitable for two years before needing to be renewed. It confirms your knowledge and proficiency in properly using AEDs and establishes your capacity to perform CPR.
Another essential qualification for fresh graduates wishing to work as nurses is Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). Building on the BLS framework, ACLS certifies a person’s capacity to detect and respond to cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular crises.
Nursing Certifications for LPNs
By finishing a CME Nurse Practitioner program, you may start the road to a fantastic nursing profession. Your LPN education will equip you to provide high-caliber, competent patient-centered care. In addition, pursuing LPN qualifications to improve your employment and pay changes is also an excellent idea.
- You can deliver drugs intravenously if you have a certification in IV therapy.
- Your long-term care certification will demonstrate your capacity to care for patients at home or in long-term care institutions.
- LPNs with wound care certification can clean and treat a variety of wounds. Therefore, when employing LPNs, hospitals and long-term care centers strongly favor candidates with this certification.
Nursing Certifications for Registered Nurses
An Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, which is fast becoming the requirement for becoming a registered nurse, can be earned.
You can begin your RN profession after passing the NCLEX-RN. However, being certified in fields that interest you might be wise if you want to set yourself apart.
There are several certifications available once you have obtained your RN license, and here is where your goals, interests, and long-term career aspirations will come into play. These certificates include, among others:
- The Holistic Nursing Certification is an excellent choice for RNs who desire to specialize in patient care that emphasizes the patient’s body, mind, and spirit.
- The Nurse Executive Certification is essential for nurses who want to work in senior leadership roles in the healthcare industry. Nurses with a BSN or higher degree can apply for this form of accreditation.
APRNs’ Nursing Certifications
If you pursue an advanced practice registered nurse career, you’ll need to pick a nursing specialty and work for board certification in that field. A few of the most popular APRN certificates include:
- Family nurse specialist: Nurse Practitioners frequently choose this qualification because family nurse practitioner ranks among the most in-demand nursing jobs.
- The “go-to” qualification for nurses who desire to devote their substantial knowledge and abilities to care for the elderly is the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification.
- Nurse Anesthetist Certification. It is understandable why this certification is so highly sought-after, given that nurse anesthetists earn the highest salaries among nurses.
Bottom Line
While acquiring a state license is necessary to practice nursing, certification is typically optional. But being certified is a great way to further your nursing profession. In addition, your CV will be unique, which may be necessary for the competitive nursing employment market.
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