An RN degree (sometimes an advanced degree, like an MSN ), an unencumbered RN license, a minimum number of direct-care hours in the specialty, and a certification test are usually all required for a nurse to become certified in an area of care.
Full Answer
RN.com is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). RN.com's online continuing nursing education programs are also approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses (CA Provider #12631), by the Florida Board of Nursing (FL Provider # 50-1706 ...
Relias LLC is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider # CEP13791. Relias LLC's continuing education (CE) contact hours are generally accepted by most professional …
Registered Nurse Certifications. To become a registered nurse (RN), you must have either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a school …
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Program will give you the opportunity to advance your nursing career and prove your ability to provide the best patient …
ACENWhen choosing an online nursing degree program, experts say, prospective students should check that it's accredited by either the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, or ACEN.
Accreditation is a review process that evaluates nursing training programs. It is based on best practices and established quality standards. This process is necessary to ensure students receive the right education for their professional field.
Steps to EligibilityUse the NCPD Accreditation Self-Assessment Tool to assess your readiness to apply.Download the ANCC NCPD Accredited Provider Applicant Journey Guide and operate according to ANCC criteria for 6 months.Download the Writing to the ANCC NCPD Accreditation Criteria Self-Learning Guide.More items...
In nursing, the purpose of accreditation is to ensure that nursing education programs across the United States are being held to common standards of quality. This furthers the profession and greatly enhances the overall quality of care administered by nurses.
There are three main types of accreditation: national, regional, and specialized accreditation that apply to certain academic programs.
CCNE accreditation is a nongovernmental peer review process that operates in accordance with nationally recognized standards established for the practice of accreditation in the United States and its territories.
A CEU is an educational measurement utilizing criteria from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) does not use the CEU to measure continuing nursing education credit.
Join ANA and Your State Nurses Association Today for only $15 a month.
every 5 yearsANCC certification is renewed every 5 years to provide evidence of the expansion of professional knowledge and evidence of continued competence in your certification specialty.
Accreditation looks at the quality of the program and how the program is carried out to see whether it meets the standards of the profession. Approval is based on the specifications of the state's Nursing Practice Act for the purpose of protecting both students and the public.
Nightingale College is nationally accredited through ABHES, a health care education accrediting agency. Each of our programs is also programmatically accredited. Our ADN Program is accredited by the ACEN, and our RN-to-BSN Program is accredited by CCNE.
Pre-accreditation status refers to when a program or school is currently in the process of pursuing accreditation and is likely to receive full accreditation soon. A school can advertise its pre-accreditation status once the accrediting agency tells the institution it has met all requirements.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is a national accrediting body and is able to provide accreditation to schools offering diploma, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Post-Bachelor's degrees. Visit the ACEN website for more information.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a national accrediting body associated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, providing accreditation for Bachelor's, graduate, and residency nursing programs. Visit the CCNE website for more information.
Schools who hold accreditation are required to uphold a certain standard as defined by the accrediting body. They volunteer to be held to professional standards through these accrediting organizations.
Before starting a nursing school program, it's important to double and triple check with the State Board of Nursing that the school is accepted and that graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed in his or her state.
In some areas, accreditation may not matter with employers at all. Sadly, this information is not usually posted online, and one may only become aware of it once they start applying to jobs. Contacting the Human Resources department of a possible future employer and asking may be wise if accreditation matters to their facility. To be on the safe side, it's always best to choose a properly accredited nursing school.
Many employers require graduation from a school which has been nationally accredited while others are not as selective. Also, most, if not all, graduate programs pay special attention to accreditation and only accept transfer credits from programs with this accreditation.
While no steadfast rules exist for every employer about which accreditation is accepted, many hold true to the major national accrediting bodies, the CCNE and ACEN. Many large hospitals will only accept education from CCNE or ACEN-accredited schools, but smaller hospitals or non-hospitals may not be as strict.
Note: Each course is approved separately. Please see each course for details of the approvals that apply to that course during a specific timeframe.
RN.com offers many state required courses. The courses in the State Required category are approved separately. Please see each state section on the course list for details and applicable approval numbers.
Nurses. RN.com is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). RN.com's online continuing nursing education programs are also approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses (CA Provider #12631), by the Florida Board of Nursing ...
RN.com automatically reports your completed courses to CE Broker on a weekly basis.
Most professional nursing organizations and state boards of nursing accept ANCC accredited courses. However, if you are unsure, please contact your professional organization or license authority to confirm if they will accept these CE contact hours.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists must complete a nurse anesthesia graduate program accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), and pass the certification test administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Some certifications are based on career level, with specific certifications for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) holders and other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), some for Registered Nurses (RN), some for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA) and more. Other certifications are based on specialization, like surgery, oncology, pediatrics and others. Your nursing journey will depend on your career goals and interests, and we hope this guide will help you decide which certification is best for you.
You may obtain certification as a CNA without a degree by completing an approved training program and passing a skills exam.
Recertification or renewals vary depending on specialty and may range from every year to every five years.
Nursing certifications ensure that nurses have the requisite education, experience and skills to care for patients and improve health outcomes. Having certain nursing certifications can help you secure a job, prepare for leadership roles and advance your nursing career.
Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
A career in nursing means you’ll have a heavy hand in improving the lives and quality of care for patients across the lifespan. Make sure to do your research and prepare yourself adequately for any certifications you want to obtain.
The ANCC Certification Program enables nurses to demonstrate their specialty expertise and validate their knowledge to employers and patients. Through targeted exams that incorporate the latest clinical practices, ANCC certification empowers nurses with pride and professional satisfaction.
ANA has a wide range of affordable resources to suit your style of learning including test-preparation workshops, webinars, and on-demand courses. These resources will give you extra confidence and help you to achieve your ANCC certification.
An RN degree (sometimes an advanced degree, like an MSN ), an unencumbered RN license, a minimum number of direct-care hours in the specialty, and a certification test are usually all required for a nurse to become certified in an area of care. Nurses should also keep in mind that certification renewals will be required to keep them up-to-date; a certification is usually good for a few years until re-certification is necessary, and may require some continuing education credits and/or clinical practice hours.
Certifications, whether required for licensure and employment or not, add value to an RN's role and resume. They signify the commitment to lifelong learning and the delivery of quality, specialized nursing care.
Earning certification in a specific care area is usually required for licensure as an APRN. These are typically in the form of board certifications, and usually have the abbreviation "BC" in the title (for example, a board-certified family nurse practitioner is an FNP-BC). Some specialties don't require certifications, although having one demonstrates that the nurse or APRN has received further education in the care of specific patients, and is considered an "expert" in the field. Also, while not always required for licensure, some employers require specific certification depending on their role. Many nurses find that having certification in their specialty of choice only enhances employment opportunities, whether it's a hard requirement or not.
Certification can be as broad as adult/gerontology, or as specialized as pediatric oncology. It's important to note that a nursing certification is different from a post-master's certificate program, where a master's-prepared RN receives the necessary education to enter an entirely new advanced specialty without having to complete an additional full-length nursing program.
Nurses should also keep in mind that certification renewals will be required to keep them up-to-date; a certification is usually good for a few years until re-certification is necessary, and may require some continuing education credits and/or clinical practice hours.
Also, while not always required for licensure, some employers require specific certification depending on their role. Many nurses find that having certification in their specialty of choice only enhances employment opportunities, whether it's a hard requirement or not.
If you seek accreditation, consider the costs involved and whether you will be able to generate enough income to cover them.
The ANCC defines continuing education as "systematic professional learning experiences designed to augment the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nurses and therefore enrich the nurses' contributions to quality health care and their pursuit of professional career goals.".
Although requirements vary by state, there are generally three ways to obtain approval for your CE: • Enter into an agreement with an existing CE Provider to co-sponsor your activity. • Request approval for a single activity through your state nurses association or regional CE Provider.
A nurse is responsible--ethically and statutorily--for her continued competence and professional growth. As a Continuing Education (CE) Provider, you will be similarly obligated to promote safe nursing practices and protect the public by developing and presenting quality, research-based educational activities. Nursing and technology have advanced since continuing education courses were broadcast on radio in the 1920s; you will have more options, more guidelines . . . and more opportunity.
Nursing and technology have advanced since continuing education courses were broadcast on radio in the 1920s; you will have more options, more guidelines . . . and more opportunity.
Establish criteria for successful completion and assessment of the participant's learning, such as: • Attendance sheet • Post-test • Skills demonstration • Self-evaluation