Last Updated on August 8, 2023 by Diya
Hi readers! In this post, I’ve compiled a list of the best nursing certification programs in the USA. Here, readers will find the following details – a list of top nursing certifications, certifying organizations/bodies, level/type of certification, and more.
Why choose a certification program, some of you may ask? Earning a certification from well-established organizations can work wonders for your career. Employers want their workers to be certified in relevant fields/industries/sectors. In other words, a certification can help you qualify for decent jobs.
Come, let us check out the list of certifications now. Here it is –
Table of Contents
List of Highest-Paying Nursing Certifications in the USA for 2023
Certifications for Registered Nurses
Sr No |
Certification |
Certifying Organization |
Type/Level of Certification |
| 1 | Advanced Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse | National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology | Advanced |
| 2 | Holistic Nurse Board Certified | American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 3 | Certified in Executive Nursing Practice | American Organization of Nurse Executives Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 4 | Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse – Advance Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Advanced |
| 5 | Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner | Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation | Advanced |
| 6 | Certified Wound Care Nurse – Advance Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Advanced |
| 7 | Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist | Plastic Surgical Nurses Certification Board | Advanced |
| 8 | Health and Wellness Nurse Coach Board Certified | American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 9 | Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse – Advanced Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Advanced |
| 10 | Certified Continence Care Nurse – Advanced Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Advanced |
| 11 | Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse | Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation | Advanced |
| 12 | Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist | Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation | Advanced |
| 13 | Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse | Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association | Advanced |
| 14 | Clinical Nurse Leader | American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Advanced |
| 15 | Certified Nurse Manager and Leader | American Organization of Nurse Executives Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 16 | Advanced Holistic Nurse Board Certified | American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 17 | Certified Correctional Health Professional – Registered Nurse | National Commission on Correctional Health Care | Advanced |
| 18 | Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification | Competency and Credentialing Institute | Advanced |
| 19 | Certified Addictions Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice | International Nurses Society on Addictions | Advanced |
| 20 | Advanced AIDS Certified Registered Nurse | HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board | Advanced |
| 21 | Certified Transcultural Nursing – Advanced | Transcultural Nursing Certification Commission | Advanced |
| 22 | Nurse Coach Board Certified | American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 23 | Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate Board Certified | American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 24 | Stroke Certified Registered Nurse | American Association of Neuroscience Nurses – American Board of Neuroscience Nursing | Advanced |
| 25 | Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Advanced |
| 26 | Certified Ostomy Care Nurse – Advanced Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Advanced |
| 27 | Certified Correctional Health Professional | National Commission on Correctional Health Care | Core |
| 28 | Assistant at Surgery – Certified | National Assistant at Surgery Certification | Core |
| 29 | Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant | National Assistant at Surgery Certification | Core |
| 30 | Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator | Lamaze International | Core |
| 31 | Registered Nurse Assistant at Surgery – Certified | National Assistant at Surgery Certification | Core |
| 32 | Vascular Access-Board Certified | Vascular Access Certification Corporation | Core |
| 33 | Certificate of Added Qualification in Neonatal Pediatric Transport | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 34 | Certified Occupational Health Nurse – Specialist | American Board for Occupational Health Nurses | Specialty |
| 35 | CNOR Certification | Competency and Credentialing Institute | Specialty |
| 36 | Pain Management Nursing | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 37 | Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse | Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 38 | Certified Director of Nursing in Long Term Care | National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care | Specialty |
| 39 | Geriatric Diabetic Certified Nurse | National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care | Specialty |
| 40 | Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse | Plastic Surgical Nurses Certification Board | Specialty |
| 41 | Progressive Care Nursing (Adult) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 42 | Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse | American Association of Neuroscience Nurses – American Board of Neuroscience Nursing | Specialty |
| 43 | Certified Emergency Nurse | Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing | Specialty |
| 44 | Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse | Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association | Specialty |
| 45 | Certified Wound Specialist | American Board of Wound Management | Specialty |
| 46 | Certified Bariatric Nurse | American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery | Specialty |
| 47 | Ambulatory Care Nursing | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 48 | Certified Nephrology Nurse | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission | Specialty |
| 49 | Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse | American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses | Specialty |
| 50 | Legal Nurse Consultant Certified | American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (Certification Board) | Specialty |
| 51 | Certified Corrections Nurse Manager | American Correctional Association | Specialty |
| 52 | Certified Transplant Preservationist | Organization for Transplant Professionals | Specialty |
| 53 | Cardiac-Vascular Nursing | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 54 | Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse | American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. | Specialty |
| 55 | Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse | Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 56 | Pediatric Nursing | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 57 | Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse | National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology | Specialty |
| 58 | Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse | Organization for Transplant Professionals | Specialty |
| 59 | Certified in Perinatal Loss Care | Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association | Specialty |
| 60 | Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse – Advanced Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 61 | Certified in Care Coordination and Transition Management | Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 62 | Certified Ostomy Care Nurse – Advanced Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 63 | APRN Gerontological Specialist – Certified | Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing Association | Specialty |
| 64 | Trauma Certified Registered Nurse | Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing | Specialty |
| 65 | Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse | Board of Nephrology Examiners Technology Nursing | Specialty |
| 66 | Stroke Certified Registered Nurse | American Association of Neuroscience Nurses – American Board of Neuroscience Nursing | Specialty |
| 67 | Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 68 | International Board Certified Lactation Consultant | International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners | Specialty |
| 69 | Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse | Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association | Specialty |
| 70 | Inpatient Obstetric Nursing | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 71 | Low-Risk Neonatal Nursing | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 72 | Oncology Certified Nurse | Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 73 | Certified Wound Care Nurse | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 74 | Certified Addiction Specialist | American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders | Specialty |
| 75 | Certified Occupational Health Nurse – Case Management | American Board for Occupational Health Nurses | Specialty |
| 76 | Certified Continence Care Nurse | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 77 | Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 78 | Certified Addictions Registered Nurse | International Nurses Society on Addictions | Specialty |
| 79 | Post-Rehab Conditioning Specialist | American Academy of Health, Fitness, & Rehabilitation Professionals | Specialty |
| 80 | Orthopaedic Nurse – Certified | Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board | Specialty |
| 81 | Certified Corrections Nurse | American Correctional Association | Specialty |
| 82 | Orthopaedic Nurse Certified | National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses | Specialty |
| 83 | Certified Ostomy Care Nurse | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 84 | Certified Transport Registered Nurse | Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing | Specialty |
| 85 | Nationally Certified School Nurse | National Board for Certification of School Nurses | Specialty |
| 86 | Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse | American Board for Transplant Certification | Specialty |
| 87 | Medical-Surgical Nursing | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 88 | Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist | The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers | Specialty |
| 89 | Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse | Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing | Specialty |
| 90 | Certified Foot Care Nurse | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 91 | Nursing Case Management | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 92 | Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse | Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association | Specialty |
| 93 | Family Nurse Practitioner | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 94 | Nursing Professional Development | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 95 | Nurse Executive Advanced | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 96 | Dermatology Nurse Certified | Dermatology Nurses’ Association | Specialty |
| 97 | Certified Nurse Life Care Planner | American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners | Specialty |
| 98 | Assisted Living Nurse Certification | American Assisted Living Nurses Association | Specialty |
| 99 | Certified Wound Care Nurse – Advance Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 100 | Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist | Plastic Surgical Nurses Certification Board | Specialty |
| 101 | Certified Continence Care Nurse – Advanced Practice | Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 102 | Certified Flight Registered Nurse | Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing | Specialty |
| 103 | Certificate of Added Qualifications: Electronic Fetal Monitoring | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 104 | Maternal Newborn Nursing | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 105 | Certified Pediatric Nurse | Pediatric Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 106 | Certified Occupational Health Nurse | American Board for Occupational Health Nurses | Specialty |
| 107 | Infection Control Certification | Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. | Specialty |
| 108 | Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner | Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates | Specialty |
| 109 | Certified Nurse in Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nursing | Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses | Specialty |
| 110 | Certified Urologic Registered Nurse | Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates | Specialty |
| 111 | Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse | Association of Rehabilitation Nurses | Specialty |
| 112 | HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse | HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 113 | Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator | Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association | Specialty |
| 114 | Gerontological Nursing | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 115 | Certified Ophthalmic Registered Nurse | National Certifying Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses | Specialty |
| 116 | Certified Managed Care Nurse | American Board of Managed Care Nursing | Specialty |
| 117 | Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Pediatric | Forensic Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 118 | Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Adult/Adolescent | Forensic Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 119 | Accredited Case Manager | American Case Management Association | Specialty |
| 120 | Certified Dialysis Nurse | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission | Specialty |
| 121 | Certification for Foreign Nurses | Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools | Specialty |
| 122 | Certified Nephrology Nurse – Nurse Practitioner | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission | Specialty |
| 123 | Certified Registered Nurse Infusion | Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 124 | Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner – Certified | Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board | Specialty |
| 125 | Orthopaedic Clinical Nurse Specialist – Certified | Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board | Specialty |
| 126 | Certified Breast Care Nurse | Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 127 | Nurse Executive | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 128 | Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse | American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. | Specialty |
| 129 | Certified Radiology Nurse | Radiologic Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 130 | Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse Clinician | National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology | Specialty |
| 131 | Wound Care Certification | National Alliance of Wound Care | Specialty |
| 132 | Critical Care Registered Nurse (Neonatal) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 133 | National Healthcare Disaster Certification | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 134 | Weight Management Specialty Certification | American Council on Exercise | Specialty |
| 135 | Diabetic Wound Care Certification | National Alliance of Wound Care | Specialty |
| 136 | Certified Assisted Living Nursing | National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care | Specialty |
| 137 | Certified Hemodialysis Nurse | Board of Nephrology Examiners Technology Nursing | Specialty |
Nurse Practitioner Certifications
Sr No |
Certification |
Certifying Organization |
Type/Level of Certification |
| 1 | Certified Nurse Manager and Leader | American Organization of Nurse Executives Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 2 | Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse Board Certified | American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Center | Advanced |
| 3 | Emergency Nurse Practitioner | American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board | Core |
| 4 | Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerontology) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Core |
| 5 | Vascular Access-Board Certified | Vascular Access Certification Corporation | Core |
| 6 | Certificate of Added Qualification in Neonatal Pediatric Transport | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 7 | Certified Wound Specialist | American Board of Wound Management | Specialty |
| 8 | Certified Corrections Nurse Manager | American Correctional Association | Specialty |
| 9 | Certified Transplant Preservationist | Organization for Transplant Professionals | Specialty |
| 10 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 11 | Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse | Organization for Transplant Professionals | Specialty |
| 12 | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 13 | Women Health Care Nurse Practitioner | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 14 | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 15 | Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care | Pediatric Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 16 | Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 17 | Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse | Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association | Specialty |
| 18 | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board | Specialty |
| 19 | Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist | The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers | Specialty |
| 20 | Family Nurse Practitioner | American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board | Specialty |
| 21 | Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care | Pediatric Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 22 | Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner | Dermatology Nurses’ Association | Specialty |
| 23 | Family Nurse Practitioner | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 24 | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP | ANA Enterprise | Specialty |
| 25 | Certificate of Added Qualifications: Electronic Fetal Monitoring | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 26 | Infection Control Certification | Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. | Specialty |
| 27 | Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner | Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates | Specialty |
| 28 | Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Pediatric | Forensic Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 29 | Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Adult/Adolescent | Forensic Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 30 | Certified Nephrology Nurse – Nurse Practitioner | Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission | Specialty |
| 31 | Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner – Certified | Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board | Specialty |
| 32 | Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist | Pediatric Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 33 | Wound Care Certification | National Alliance of Wound Care | Specialty |
| 34 | Progressive Care knowledge Professional (Adult) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
Critical Care Nursing Certifications
Sr No |
Certification |
Certifying Organization |
Type/Level of Certification |
| 1 | Certificate of Added Qualifications: Electronic Fetal Monitoring | The National Certification Corporation | Specialty |
| 2 | Cardiac Medicine (Adult) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 3 | Critical Care Registered Nurse (Neonatal) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 4 | Adult Tele-ICU Acute/Critical Care Nursing Certification | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 5 | Critical Care Registered Nurse (Pediatric) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 6 | Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification | Competency and Credentialing Institute | Advanced |
| 7 | Progressive Care Nursing (Adult) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 8 | Certified Wound Specialist | American Board of Wound Management | Specialty |
| 9 | Cardiac Surgery (Adult) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 10 | Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse | Organization for Transplant Professionals | Specialty |
| 11 | Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (Adult) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
Clinical Nurse Specialist Certifications
Sr No |
Certification |
Certifying Organization |
Type/Level of Certification |
| 1 | Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist | Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation | Advanced |
| 2 | Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification | Competency and Credentialing Institute | Advanced |
| 3 | Clinical Nurse Specialist; Wellness through Acute Care (Pediatric) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Advanced |
| 4 | Certified Nutrition Support Clinician | National Board of Nutrition Support Certification, Inc. | Advanced |
| 5 | Clinical Nurse Specialist; Wellness through Acute Care (Adult-Gerontology) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Advanced |
| 6 | Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Pediatric) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
| 7 | Certified Wound Specialist | American Board of Wound Management | Specialty |
| 8 | Certificate of Completion – Bronchoscopy | American College of Chest Physicians | Specialty |
| 9 | Orthopaedic Clinical Nurse Specialist – Certified | Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board | Specialty |
| 10 | Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse Clinician | National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology | Specialty |
| 11 | Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist | Pediatric Nursing Certification Board | Specialty |
| 12 | Clinical Nurse Specialist; Wellness through Acute Care (Neonatal) | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses | Specialty |
What is a certification and how to earn it?
A certification is an award, which indicates that the candidate (who has earned the certification) possesses relevant skills and knowledge concerning a particular domain/sector/industry. In the case of nursing certifications, the skill set or knowledge revolves around nursing, healthcare, and its allied sectors.
Certifications are usually offered by relevant certifying organizations. In order to earn it, a candidate must undergo sufficient preparation, acquire a relevant set of skills and knowledge, and pass the relevant examination/test (conducted by the certifying organization). The certifying organization may or may not provide certification preparation training.
Types of certifications
Based on the target audience, certifications can be broadly classified into the following types –
- Core.
- Advanced.
- Specialty.
Advanced certification programs are aimed at individuals who are already knowledgeable about the domain (for example – Registered Nurses). They may use the advanced certification program to acquire an advanced set of skills and knowledge. Similarly, specialty certifications are aimed at nurses who want to specialize in a specific branch of nursing (for example – pediatric nursing). Nursing certification programs span disciplines and domains such as –
- Critical Care Nursing: This field of nursing deals with the care of critically ill or unstable patients. Patients in critical stages require special attention and care. They are usually admitted to the ICU. Critical care nurses form an integral part of the ICU team. The main task of a critical care nurse is to care for and maintain the life support of the patient (who is critically ill or unstable).
- Clinical Nursing: A Clinical Nursing Specialist is commonly known as CNS. A CNS is an advanced practice nurse. He/she is capable of providing expert advice related to specific conditions. Thanks to their advanced nursing education, they are adept at evidence-based nursing.
- Pediatric Nursing: This branch of nursing deals with the care of neonates and children up to adolescence. A pediatric nurse usually works under the supervision of a qualified pediatrician. They are trained in areas such as – patient monitoring, checking vital signs, administering medicines and procedures, etc.
- Cardiovascular Nursing: This branch of nursing deals with the care of patients who suffer from diseases and conditions of the cardiovascular system. Cardiac nurses usually work under the supervision of a qualified cardiologist. They are trained in areas such as – monitoring and/or operating relevant equipment, patient observation, checking vital signs, administering procedures and medicines, etc.
- Palliative Nurse: Palliative care deals with providing medical care for people with serious illnesses or conditions. Palliative care is aimed at providing relief to seriously ill patients, thus improving the quality of their lives! Palliative care nurses are trained in areas such as – administering medicines and procedures, monitoring patients, following medical schedules crafted by the Doctor, and more.
- And more…
Popular certifying organizations
Here are some of the popular certifying organizations –
- American Organization of Nurse Executives Credentialing Center.
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
- Organization for Transplant Professionals.
- American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (Certification Board).
- American Correctional Association.
- National Assistant at Surgery Certification.
- And more…
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
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