Complete List of Common Nursing Certifications

By: Nurse.org Staff

Listing your RN certifications and credentials correctly on your resume is vital. But which is the appropriate acronym to use?  

Never fear. Nurse.org has compiled an alphabetical list of 183 different nursing certifications along with the appropriate acronyms and links to their certifying organizations.

For a more detailed discussion on displaying your nursing credentials, click here.

The Complete List of Nursing Certifications

FAQs

• What does RN certified mean? 

  • An RN certification is an optional and voluntary speciality nursing certification that a nurse can achieve on their own that represents a standard beyond minimum licensure. Outside of APRN certification, RNs can get certifications in areas such as wound care, critical care, hospice care, addictions, informatics, education, and much more. 

• Are nursing certifications worth it? 

  • Nursing certifications are a way to advance your career, show your dedication, and gain advanced education in your field.

• What's the lowest degree in nursing?

  • A CNA is a Certified Nurses Assistant and they are someone who assists a nurse. An LPN could be considered the “lowest” rank of a nurse, although there is such thing as a “lowest” degree—all degrees are important and can be right for your career goals and current resources.