Nurse Certifications (Which Ones Are Worth It)
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For a nurse, the word "certification" covers two different things. The first is your RN license, which is a state credential earned through the NCLEX-RN exam and granted by your state board of nursing. Without it you cannot practice, so it tops every list. The second is national specialty certification, which is voluntary, proves expertise in a clinical area, and is what most people mean when they talk about advancing a nursing career.
The credentials below move from the universal requirements every nurse needs, through the life-support cards expected on most acute units, to the specialty board certifications that signal mastery of a field. Here is who each is for, why it is worth it, and how to list them on your resume so they actually help you get interviews.
Top certifications for a Nurse
Registered Nurse (RN) License via NCLEX-RN
State board of nursing (exam administered by NCSBN) · Entry
Best for: Everyone who wants to practice as a registered nurse.
The required license that lets you legally work as an RN. It is a state credential earned by passing the NCLEX-RN, and it defines the job.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross · Entry
Best for: Every working nurse.
Required by nearly all employers before your first shift; quick to earn and renewed about every two years.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
American Heart Association (AHA) · Intermediate
Best for: Nurses in emergency, critical care, telemetry, and other acute units.
Often mandatory for acute-care roles and a clear signal you can run a code; expands the jobs you can take.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
American Heart Association (AHA) · Intermediate
Best for: Nurses who care for children in the ED, PICU, or pediatrics.
Required for most pediatric and emergency settings; pairs with ACLS to open acute pediatric roles.
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Corporation · Advanced
Best for: ICU and critical-care nurses with the required bedside hours.
A respected national specialty board credential that proves critical-care expertise and is valued on high-acuity units.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) · Advanced
Best for: Experienced emergency department nurses.
The standard certification for ED nurses; demonstrates emergency expertise and can raise pay and standing.
Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) · Advanced
Best for: Med-surg nurses with qualifying experience.
Validates skill in the largest nursing specialty and is increasingly expected on Magnet-recognized units.
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) · Advanced
Best for: Nurses working in oncology and cancer care.
The recognized credential for oncology nursing; signals specialized knowledge of cancer treatment and care.
RN-BC / Board Certified Specialty Certifications
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) · Advanced
Best for: Nurses certifying in areas such as informatics, gerontology, or psychiatric-mental health nursing.
ANCC board certification is widely recognized and demonstrates expertise in a defined specialty; the specific exam depends on your field.
Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) · Intermediate
Best for: Emergency and trauma nurses.
A widely required course credential for trauma and emergency roles that strengthens an ED resume.
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) · Advanced
Best for: Nurses specializing in the care of children.
The standard specialty certification for pediatric nursing; proves dedicated pediatric expertise.
Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
National Certification Corporation (NCC) · Advanced
Best for: Labor and delivery and obstetric nurses with qualifying experience.
A recognized credential for inpatient OB nurses that validates expertise in labor, delivery, and maternal care.
How to choose the right Nurse certification
Start with the non-negotiables. You need an active RN license to practice at all, and a current BLS card to be hired almost anywhere. Get and keep those first. Because the RN license is granted by your state board of nursing, always confirm the rules with your own board, and check whether your state belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact before you plan to work across state lines.
After the basics, let your unit and goals decide. Acute and emergency settings usually require ACLS and PALS, so add those early if that is your path. Once you have the bedside hours, a specialty board certification through AACN, BCEN, ANCC, ONCC, or a similar body proves expertise in your field and can lift both pay and opportunities. Pick the credential your target employers actually list in their postings, not the longest string of letters.
How to list certifications on a Nurse resume
Lead with your credentials the way the field does. Many nurses place letters after their name in the header, such as "Jane Doe, RN, BSN, CCRN," and then repeat the full titles in a dedicated Certifications section with the issuing body and year. List your RN license with the state and license number area noted as available, and your BLS, ACLS, and PALS cards with the issuer and expiration, since employers screen for current cards. This helps both a skimming recruiter and the applicant tracking system, which often searches for terms like "RN," "BLS," and "ACLS" directly.
Add specialty board certifications below those, each with the full name, the issuing organization, and the year earned. Mark anything in progress honestly as "in progress" with an expected date, and drop expired or irrelevant entries. Never claim a credential you have not earned, because licenses and certifications are easy to verify through state boards and certifying bodies.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I become a nurse?
Graduate from an approved nursing program (an ADN at a community college or a BSN at a university), then pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply to your state board of nursing for licensure. Passing the NCLEX-RN and receiving your license is what lets you practice as a registered nurse.
Is an RN credential a license or a national certification?
It is a state license, not a national certification. Each state board of nursing grants and regulates the RN license, though the NCLEX-RN exam itself is national and managed by NCSBN. Many states belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact, which lets a multistate license cover practice in other compact states, so check your state rules before working across state lines.
Which nursing certification raises pay the most?
It depends on your specialty, but a national specialty board certification that matches your unit, such as the CCRN for critical care, the CEN for emergency, or the OCN for oncology, is usually the clearest step up. These credentials prove expertise, are valued on Magnet-recognized units, and often come with pay differentials.
Do I need ACLS and PALS to work as a nurse?
Not for every role, but acute-care units commonly require them. Emergency, ICU, and telemetry nurses are usually expected to hold ACLS, and PALS is required for most pediatric and emergency settings. Many med-surg and clinic roles need only BLS, so match the cards to the unit you are targeting.
