In the field of nursing, becoming certified helps you stand out, build confidence, move into new roles, and often earn more money. Most importantly, it shows that you have advanced skills in a specific area of patient care. If you are thinking about growing in your specialty or switching to a new one, this guide breaks down the top certifications by specialty. It explains what each certification is, how to get it, and what it can do for your career.
If you want a quick way to figure out which nursing certifications matter most in each specialty, this guide breaks down the top options, what they’re used for, who they’re best for.
Jump to your specialty:
Medical-surgical (med-surg) nursing certification
Medical-surgical nursing is one of the most common areas of practice, and it teaches you a little bit of everything. Certifications in this specialty help show that you can handle a wide range of patient needs.
Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
Offered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board.
How it helps you
This certification shows that you are strong in patient assessment, prioritization, and managing complex care. Many nurses with this credential move into charge roles, become preceptors, or use it as a stepping stone to specialties like step-down, oncology, or cardiology.
Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
How it helps you
Many Magnet hospitals recognize RN-BC certification when hiring or promoting. It helps position you for leadership roles, education positions, and quality improvement work.
Critical care nursing certification
Critical care involves high-acuity patients who require close observation, advanced monitoring, and quick interventions. If you like managing complex situations, this may be your specialty.
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
Offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
How it helps you
Hospitals value CCRN because it shows strong clinical judgment. It opens the door to roles like rapid response, flight nursing, ICU leadership, and preceptor or educator positions.
Emergency (ER or ED) nursing certification
The emergency department is fast paced and unpredictable. Certifications here show that you can assess quickly, act under pressure, and handle a wide range of emergencies.
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing.
How it helps you
CEN-certified nurses are often considered for charge positions, trauma response teams, and emergency educator roles. It is one of the strongest ways to show you have advanced ED skills.
Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
This is not a certification, but it's widely expected for trauma and ED roles.
How it helps you
Many facilities require TNCC for ED nurses who care for trauma patients.
Maternal and neonatal nursing certification
If you love supporting mothers, newborns, and families, there are several well-known certifications that can help you grow in this specialty.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
Offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
How it helps you
NRP is essential for anyone working in labor and delivery, postpartum, NICU, or newborn nursery. It prepares you for high-risk deliveries and immediate newborn care.
Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (RNC-OB)
Offered by the National Certification Corporation.
How it helps you
This certification helps you qualify for labor and delivery leadership, OB educator roles, and positions in maternal safety initiatives.
Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC)
Offered by the National Certification Corporation.
How it helps you
RNC-NIC can help you move into charge roles, neonatal transport teams, and advanced NICU positions.
Pediatric nursing certification
Pediatric nursing focuses on patients from infancy through adolescence. Certification demonstrates skill in family-centered care and developmental needs.
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
Offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
How it helps you
CPN nurses are often selected for charge positions, pediatric specialty clinics, school nurse leadership, and outpatient roles such as pediatric cardiology or GI.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Offered by the American Heart Association.
How it helps you
PALS is required or strongly preferred for pediatric inpatient units, EDs, and specialty clinics.
Oncology nursing certifications
Oncology nurses work with patients undergoing cancer treatment. The work requires strong clinical skills and a high level of emotional support.
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
Offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.
How it helps you
This credential can lead to roles in chemo administration, oncology education, survivorship programs, nurse navigation, and infusion center leadership.
Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider Card
Offered by the Oncology Nursing Society.
How it helps you
Required for most chemotherapy administration roles.
Nursing leadership and management certification
If you enjoy mentoring, problem solving, and improving how a unit runs, leadership certifications can help you take the next step.
Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
Offered by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.
How it helps you
CNML is useful for charge nurses, supervisors, assistant managers, and those preparing for a full nurse manager role.
Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC)
Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
How they help you
These certifications are widely recognized for director-level and CNO roles.
Informatics nursing certification
Informatics nurses help improve electronic medical record workflows, technology adoption, and data-driven decisions. This field is growing quickly as hospitals modernize.
Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC)
Offered by ANCC.
How it helps you
This certification supports roles in EMR optimization, clinical systems support, data analytics, and digital transformation projects.
Case management and care coordination certification
Case management focuses on safe transitions of care, reducing readmissions, and helping patients navigate the healthcare system.
Offered by the Commission for Case Manager Certification.
How it helps you
CCM is widely recognized across hospitals, insurance companies, and population health programs.
Accredited Case Manager (ACM-RN)
Offered by the American Case Management Association.
How it helps you
ACM-RN is common for hospital-based case management teams and discharge planning departments.
Psychiatric and behavioral health nursing certification
Mental health needs continue to grow, and psychiatric nurses play a central role in diagnosis, stabilization, and long-term patient support.
Psychiatric Mental Health RN-BC
Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
How it helps you
This certification can lead to leadership roles in behavioral health units, outpatient counseling programs, crisis teams, and community mental health centers.
Choosing the right nursing certification
Here are a few simple questions to help guide your decision.
- Do you want to deepen skills in your current specialty or switch to a new one?
- What type of patients do you enjoy working with the most?
- Does your hospital offer reimbursement for certain certifications?
- Are you considering leadership, education, or quality roles?
- Do you want a credential that is required or one that will simply help you stand out?
Choosing a certification is easier when you think about where you want to be in one to three years. Achieving these certifications show dedication to growth, quality care, and professional development. Whether you want to stay at the bedside, move into leadership, or explore a new specialty, the right certification can help you take the next step.
Certified or not, if you're looking for your next nursing role—local, travel, or permanent—Prolink has you covered. Our expert recruiters get to know exactly what you're looking for in your life and career to find your perfect fit. Click below to search our nursing jobs now.
