Complete List of Common Nursing Certifications
Listing your nursing certifications and credentials correctly communicates your skills to employers and colleagues alike. Thus, knowing your RN certification acronyms is essential in your practice. So, Nurse.org compiled a comprehensive list of over 150 nursing certifications, their acronyms, and certifying agencies so you know exactly how to list your hard-earned credentials.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Enrollment: Nationwide At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree. Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details. WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees. Enrollment: Nationwide Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge. Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
The Complete List of Nursing Certifications
CREDENTIAL | CERTIFICATION | ORGANIZATION |
A-GNP | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | aanpcert.org |
AACRN | Advanced HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse | hancb.org |
ACCNS-AG | Clinical Nurse Specialist; Wellness through Acute Care (Adult-Gerontology) | |
ACCNS-N | Clinical Nurse Specialist; Wellness through Acute Care (Neonatal) | aacn.org |
ACCNS-P | Clinical Nurse Specialist, Wellness through Acute Care (Pediatric) | aacn.org |
ACHPN | Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse | |
ACLPN | HIV/AIDS Certified LPN/LVN | hancb.org |
ACNP-BC | Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | |
ACNPC | Acute Care NP - Adult (Renewal Only) | |
ACNPC-AG | Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerontology) | aacn.org |
ACNS-BC | Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist | |
ACRN | HIV/AIDS Certified Registered Nurse | hancb.org |
ACRP-CP | Certified Clinical Research Professional - Certified Professional | |
ADM-BC | Advanced Diabetes Management (specialty certification, retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
ADM-BC | Advanced Diabetes Management | nursingworld.org |
AE-C | Certified Asthma Educator | nbrc.org |
AFN-BC | Advanced Forensic Nursing | |
AGACNP-BC | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | |
AGCNS-BC | Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist | |
AGN-BC | Genetics Nursing, Advanced | |
AGPCNP-BC | Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | |
AHN-BC | Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified | ahncc.org |
AMB-BC | Ambulatory Care Nursing | |
ANP-BC | Adult Nurse Practitioner | |
AOCNP | Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner | oncc.org |
APHN-BC | Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse | ahncc.org |
AWCC | Advanced Wound Care Certified | nawccb.org |
BC-ADM | Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management | ncbde.org |
BMTCN | Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse | |
C-EFM | Electronic Fetal Monitoring | nccwebsite.org |
C-NPT | Certified - Neonatal Pediatric Transport | |
CANS | Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist | psncb.org |
CAPA | Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse | cpancapa.org |
CARN | Certified Addictions Registered Nurse | cnetnurse.com |
CARN-AP | Certified Addictions Registered Nurse - Advanced Practice | cnetnurse.com |
CBC | Certified Breast Feeding Counselor | childbirtheducation.org |
CBCN | Certified Breast Care Nurse | |
CBHC | Correctional Behavioral Health Certification | |
CBRN | Certified Burn Registered Nurse | bcen.org |
CCCN | Certified Continence Care Nurse | wocncb.org |
CCCN-AP | Certified Continence Care Nurse-Advanced Practice | wocncb.org |
CCE | Certified Childbirth Educator | childbirtheducation.org |
CCHP | Certified Correctional Health Professional | ncchc.org |
CCHP-A | Certified Correctional Health Professional-Advanced | ncchc.org |
CCHP-CP | Certified Correctional Health Professional - Clinical Provider | ncchc.org |
CCHP-RN | Certified Correctional Health Professional-RN | ncchc.org |
CCHT | Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician | nncc-exam.org |
CCHT-A | Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician-Advanced | nncc-exam.org |
CCNS | Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult (Renewal Only) | |
CCNS | Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist - Pediatric (Renewal Only) | |
CCNS | Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist - Neonatal (Renewal Only) | |
CCRA | Certified Clinical Research Associate | acrpnet.org |
CCRC | Certified Clinical Research Coordinator | acrpnet.org |
CCRN | Acute/Critical Care Nursing (Adult, Pediatric & Neonatal) | aacn.org |
CCRN-E | Tele-ICU Acute/Critical Care Nursing (Adult) | aacn.org |
CCRN-K | Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (Adult, Pediatric & Neonatal) | aacn.org |
CCRP | Certified Clinical Research Professional | socra.org |
CCCTM | Certified in Care Coordination and Transition Management | nursingworld.org |
CD-LPN/CD-LVN | Certified Dialysis Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse | nncc-exam.org |
CDCES | Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist | cbdce.org |
CDE | Certified Diabetes Educator | cbdce.org |
CDN | Certified Dialysis Nurse | nncc-exam.org |
CEN | Certified Emergency Nurse | bcen.org |
C-ELBW | Care of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate | |
CENP | Certified in Executive Nursing Practice | aonl.org |
CFCN | Certified Foot Care Nurse | wocncb.org |
CFPN | Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse | cc-institute.org |
CFRN | Certified Flight Registered Nurse | bcen.org |
CGRN | Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse | abcgn.org |
CHFN | Certified Heart Failure Nurse | aahfn.org |
CHFN-K | Non-Clinical HeartFailure Nurse | aahfn.org |
CHPCA | Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator | advancingexpertcare.org |
CHPLN | Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse | advancingexpertcare.org |
CHPN | Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse | advancingexpertcare.org |
CHPNA | Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant | advancingexpertcare.org |
CHPPN | Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse | advancingexpertcare.org |
CHSA | Certified Health Service Administrator | aca.org |
CLC | Certified Lactation Counselor | centerforbreastfeeding.org |
CIC | Certified in Infection Control | cbic.org |
CM | Occupational Health Nursing Case Management | abohn.org |
CMC | Cardiac Medicine (Adult) | aacn.org |
CMCN | Certification in Managed Care Nursing | abmcn.org |
CMGT-BC | Nursing Case Management Certification | |
CMSRN | Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse | amsn.org |
CNAMB | Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse | www.cc-institute.org |
CNE | Certified Nurse Educator | nln.org |
CNE-cl | Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator | nln.org |
CNL | Clinical Nurse Leader | www.aacnnursing.org/ |
CNM | Certified Nurse Midwife | https://www.amcbmidwife.org/amcb-certification |
CNML | Nurse Manager and Leader | aonl.org |
CNN | Certified Corrections Nurse | aca.org |
CNN | Certified Nephrology Nurse | nncc-exam.org |
C-NNIC | Certified Neonatal Neuro-Intensive Care | |
CNN-NP | Certified Nephrology Nurse-Nurse Practitioner | nncc-exam.org |
CNN/M | Certified Corrections Nurse/Manager | aca.org |
CNOR | Certified Perioperative Nurse | cc-institute.org |
CNRN | Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse | abnncertfication.org |
CNS-BC | Clinical Nurse Specialist, Core | www.nursingworld.org |
CNS-CP | Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative | cc-institute.org |
COCN | Certified Ostomy Care Nurse | wocncb.org |
COCN-AP | Certified Ostomy Care Nurse-Advanced Practice | wocncb.org |
COHN | Certified Occupational Health Nurse | abohn.org |
COHN-S | Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist | abohn.org |
CORLN | Certified Otorhinolaryngology Nurse | sohnnurse.com |
C-ONQS | Certified Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety | |
CPAN | Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse | cpancapa.org |
CPEN | Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse | bcencertifications.org |
CPHON | Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse | |
CPHQ | Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality | cphq.org |
CPHRM | Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management | aha.org |
CPI | Certified Principal Investigator | acrpnet.org |
CPLC | Certified in Perinatal Loss Care | advancingexpertcare.org |
CPN | Certified Pediatric Nurse | pncb.org |
CPNP-PC | Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care | pncb.org |
CPON | Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse | oncc.org |
CPNP-AC | Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care | pncb.org |
CPSN | Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse | psncb.org |
CRN | Certified Radiologic Nurse | arinursing.org |
CRNA | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | nbcrna.com |
CRN-BC | Clinical Research Nurse Certification | crncc.org |
CRNFA | Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant | nascertification.com |
CRNI | Certified Registered Nurse Infusion | ins1.org |
CRNO | Certification for Registered Nurses of Ophthalmology | asorn.org |
CRRN | Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse | rehabnurse.org |
CSC | Cardiac Surgery (Adult) | aacn.org |
CSSM | Certified Surgical Services Manager | www.cc-institute.org |
CTRN | Certified Transport Registered Nurse | bcencertifications.org |
CUA | Certified Urologic Associate | cbuna.org |
CUNP | Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner | cbuna.org |
CURN | Certified Urologic Registered Nurse | cbuna.org |
CV-BC | Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification | |
CWCA | Certified Wound Care Associate | abwmcertified.org |
CWCN | Certified Wound Care Nurse | wocncb.org |
CWCN-AP | Certified Wound Care Nurse-Advanced Practice | wocncb.org |
CWOCN | Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse | wocncb.org |
CWOCN-AP | Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse-Advanced Practice | wocncb.org |
CWON | Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse | wocncb.org |
CWON-AP | Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse-Advanced Practice | wocncb.org |
CWS | Certified Wound Specialist | abwmcertified.org |
DCNP | Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner | dnanurse.org |
DNC | Dermatology Nurse Certified | dnanurse.org |
ENP-BC | Emergency Nurse Practitioner (specialty certification) | www.nursingworld.org |
FNP-BC | Family Nurse Practitioner | www.nursingworld.org |
FNP-C | Family Nurse Practitioner | aanpcert.org |
GERO-BC | Gerontological Nursing Certification | |
GNP-BC | Gerontological Nurse Practitioner | www.nursingworld.org |
HN-BC | Holistic Nurse, Board Certified | ahncc.org |
HNB-BC | Holistic Baccalaureate Nurse, Board Certified | ahncc.org |
HWNC-BC | Health and Wellness Nurse Coach, Board Certified | ahncc.org |
IBCLC | International Board Certified Lactation Consultant | iblce.org |
LNCC | Legal Nurse Consultant Certified | lncc.aalnc.org |
MEDSURG-BC | Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification | |
MWC | Medical Writer Certified | amwa.org |
NC-BC | Nurse Coach, Board Certified | ahncc.org |
NCSN | National Certified School Nurse | nbcsn.org |
NE-BC | Nurse Executive | www.nursingworld.org |
NEA-BC | Nurse Executive, Advanced | www.nursingworld.org |
NHDP-BC | National Healthcare Disaster Certification | |
NI-BC | Informatics Nursing Certification | nursingworld.org |
NNP-BC | NNP-BC - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | nccwebsite.org |
NP-C | Adult Nurse Practitioner | aanpcert.org |
NPD-BC | Nursing Professional Development Certification | |
NPDA-BC | Nursing Professional Development Advanced - Board Certified | cc-institute.org |
OCN | Oncology Certified Nurse | oncc.org |
OCNS-C | Orthopaedic Clinical Nurse Specialist - Certified | oncb.org |
OMS | Ostomy Management Specialist | nawccb.org |
ONC | Orthopaedic Nurse Certified | oncb.org |
ONP-C | Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner-Certified | oncb.org |
PCCN | Progressive Care Nursing (Adult) | aacn.org |
PCCN-K | Progressive Care Knowledge Professional (Adult) | aacn.org |
PCNS-BC | Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist | nursingworld.org |
PED-BC | Pediatric Nursing Certification | |
PHCNS-BC | Public/Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
PHMS | Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist | pncb.org |
PHNA-BC | Public Health Nursing, Advanced | www.nursingworld.org |
PMGT-BC | Pain Management Nursing Certification | |
PMH-BC | Psychatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification | |
PMHCNS-BC | Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist | nursingworld.org |
PMHCNS-BC | Child/Adolescent Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist | nursingworld.org |
PMHNP-BC | Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | nursingworld.org |
PPCNP-BC | Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | Certified Vascular Nurse (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | College Health Nursing (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | Community Health Nursing (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | Faith Community Nursing | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | General Nursing, Practice (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | Hemostasis Nursing | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | High-Risk Perinatal Nursing (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | Home Health Nursing (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | Perinatal Nursing (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | Rheumatology Nursing | nursingworld.org |
RN-BC | School Nursing (retired exam) | nursingworld.org |
RNAS-C | Registered Nurse Assistant at Surgery – Certified | https://nascertification.com/rnas-c/ |
RNC-LRN | RNC-LRN - Low Risk Neonatal Nursing | nccwebsite.org |
RNC-MNN | RNC-MNN - Maternal Newborn Nursing | nccwebsite.org |
RNC-NIC | RNC-NIC - Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing | nccwebsite.org |
RNC-OB | RNC-OB - Inpatient Obstetric Nursing | nccwebsite.org |
SANE-A | Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Adult/Adolescent | forensicnurses.org |
SANE-P | Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Pediatric | forensicnurses.org |
SCRN | Stroke Certified Registered Nurse | abnncertification.org |
SNP-BC | School Nurse Practitioner (retired exam) | www.nursingworld.org |
TCRN | Trauma Certified Registered Nurse | bcen.org |
WCC | Wound Care Certified | nawccb.org |
WHNP-BC | WHNP-BC - Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner | nccwebsite.org |
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Enrollment: Nationwide At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree. Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details. WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees. Enrollment: Nationwide Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge. Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
FAQs About Nursing Certifications