Nursing certifications are a popular choice for nurses interested in fine-tuning their knowledge and skills. With dozens of specialties available, there are options to accommodate virtually every nurse. Many of those certifications require registered nurses (RNs) to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and an online RN to BSN program is a great place to start.
What Are Nursing Certifications?
Nursing certifications represent a formal process of validating a nurse’s skills, abilities and depth of knowledge as it pertains to specific specialties and roles. Gaining certification is a voluntary step above and beyond state licensure and nursing degree programs. Independent certifying organizations oversee the certification process and develop standards of practice in addition to eligibility and testing requirements. Candidates must generally have an unencumbered nursing license and at least two years of relevant experience. A minimum number of continuing nursing education hours may also be required.
What Are the Benefits of Certification?
Certification offers many possible benefits. Certification reassures patients and employers that nurses possess the fundamental scope of knowledge and skill to practice in a specialized role. Certification can also lead to:
- Higher salaries, pay differentials and sign-on bonuses
- More opportunities for career advancement and professional development
- Improved job satisfaction and renewed sense of personal and professional accomplishment
- Potential to provide better patient care resulting in improved outcomes
- An expanded network of colleagues and mentors
These benefits of nursing certification can help nurses achieve career goals and improve their practice. The following are five certifications to consider:
1. Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
Oncology nursing is a rewarding yet demanding specialization that calls for resilience, precision and compassion. As a certified oncology nurse, you may be involved in many aspects of care such as:
- Community outreach and education initiatives
- Cancer screenings, preventive care, assessment and treatment
- Research
Certification is offered through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.
2. Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate Board Certified (HNB-BC)
Given the growing demand for integrative medicine, holistic nursing is a promising career pathway for those whose interests reach beyond conventional healthcare. Defined by the American Holistic Nurses Association as a “nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal,” this specialty focuses on the mind-body-spirit connection and often combines traditional, complimentary, alternative and integrative healing modalities or approaches.
Holistic nursing is recognized by the American Nurses Association as a nursing specialty, complete with a defined scope and standards of practice. Nurses with their BSN can pursue the Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate Board Certified (HNB-BC) designation, offered through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation.
3. Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI)
Infusion nurses administer intravenous (IV) therapies to patients of all ages with various health conditions. IV therapies are delivered through an IV line, central line or venous access port and supply patients with intravenous medicine, vitamins or other fluids. Infusion nurses may find employment opportunities in several settings, including primary care, hospitals, rheumatology and oncology practices, home health and skilled nursing facilities.
CRNI certification is offered through the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation.
4. Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC)
Dermatology nursing is an intriguing path as it focuses on the body’s largest organ — the skin — and its associated diseases and injuries. DNCs work in a range of settings, from day spas and private dermatology practices to hospitals and burn centers. They have varied job responsibilities like:
- Educating patients about skin health and wound care
- Providing preventive care related to skin cancer and infections
- Performing cosmetic dermatology procedures
- Treating wounds such as burns and ulcers
- Providing ongoing treatment for skin conditions
DNC certification is offered through the Dermatology Nurses’ Association.
5. Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
Rehabilitation nurses are key healthcare collaborators in post-acute care settings as they work to restore patient movement, strength and quality of life. Rehab nurses provide direct care and education for patients who have experienced stroke, spinal cord injury, cancer and neurological diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This certification is offered through the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.
Nursing certifications are a personally and professionally gratifying step in many nurses’ careers. With the potential to hone your interests, increase your salary and facilitate better patient outcomes, specialization is a worthwhile consideration for many nurses.
To become eligible for certifications that require a BSN, consider a program like the affordable, fully online RN to BSN offered by Southern Utah University (SUU). Working nurses can complete this degree on their own schedule from anywhere with an internet connection (depending on state-by-state program availability). Plus, SUU’s online CCNE-accredited RN to BSN program can be completed in as few as 10 months.
Learn more about SUU’s online RN to BSN program.
