A nurse credential is documentation from a certifying agency that attests to a nurse’s experience, education, and knowledge in a nursing specialty. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certifies three categories of nursing practice, including specialty nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Registered Nurses. ANCC offers over 20 specialized certifications in various categories of nursing. To obtain a registered nurse credential, a nurse must meet education, continuing education, experience, and examination criteria. Clinical nursing specialists hold a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing, and ANCC offers nine specialty areas for clinical nursing specialists. ANCC offers nine specialist areas within the NP category.
A nurse credential refers to documentation from a certifying agency that attests to a nurse’s experience, education, and knowledge in a nursing specialty. Regardless of its source, a registered nurse credential is maintained in addition to a valid and current license to practice nursing. In the US, the main organization that coordinates the credentialing and certification of nurses is the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is an affiliated branch of the American Nurses Association (ANA). The ANCC certifies three categories of nursing practice, including specialty nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Registered Nurses. To obtain a registered nurse credential, a nurse must meet education, continuing education, experience, and examination criteria as established by the specific category and subcategory sought.
The most basic nursing credential is that of a specialization in a specific field, and the ANCC offers over 20 specialized certifications in various categories of nursing, including Case Management Nursing, Cardiac Vascular Nursing, Home Health Nursing, and even General Practice of nursing. Each specialty has its own specific criteria needed to apply for the specialty nurse credential exam. For example, to apply for the Medical-Surgical Nursing specialty credential, known as the RN-BC, a nurse must have a valid Registered Nurse (RN) license to practice in the U.S., have practiced the equivalent of two years of full-time nursing , has accumulated at least 3,000 hours of clinical practice in medical-surgical nursing in the last three years and completed 30 credits of continuing education in that same period. She must submit an application attesting to all these accomplishments, include an application fee, and successfully complete a computer-based test at a special testing facility if her application is accepted and approved.
Clinical nursing specialists hold a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing, compared to a specialty nursing certification that can be obtained by any registered nurse, either with a degree or with higher educational background. The ANCC offers nine specialty areas for clinical nursing specialists, and again, each specialty sets its own application criteria. To seek a nurse credential from an adult health clinical nursing specialist or an ACNS-BC, a nurse must hold a valid and active license to act as an RN; hold at least a master’s degree from an accredited educational institution; and have successfully completed advanced classes in assessment, disease, and pharmacology. The RN seeking such a nurse credential must submit an application and a transcript to document their qualifications and even take the exam.
The most advanced nurse credentialing process is carried out for Registered Nurses (NP). ANCC offers nine specialist areas within the NP category. To apply for a NP specialty exam, a nurse must meet the same criteria as clinical nurse specialists and document training in disease diagnosis, treatment, and health education. The application and testing process is similar to that of clinical nurse specialists.
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