Nursing credentials and certifications
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Nursing credentials and certifications are the various credentials and
certification Certification is the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestation or confirmation of certain characteristics of a ...
s that a person must have to practice
nursing Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other health ...
legally. Nurses' postnominal letters (abbreviations listed after the name) reflect their credentials—that is, their achievements in nursing education,
licensure Licensure means a restricted practice or a restriction on the use of an occupational title, requiring a license. A license created under a "practice act" requires a license before performing a certain activity, such as driving a car on public roa ...
,
certification Certification is the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestation or confirmation of certain characteristics of a ...
, and
fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...
ship. The letters usually appear in the following order: * Highest earned
academic degree An academic degree is a qualification awarded to students upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions commonly offer degrees at various levels, usually including und ...
in or related to nursing (e.g. " DNP or Ph.D.") * Nursing licensure (e.g. " RN," "LPN") * Nursing certification (e.g. " CCRN") * Nursing fellowship (e.g. " FAAN") Generally credentials are listed from most to least permanent. A degree, once earned, cannot, in normal circumstances, be taken away. State licensure is active until retirement and otherwise only revoked in cases of serious professional misconduct. Certifications generally must be periodically renewed by examination or the completion of a prescribed number of continuing education units (CEUs). This is often called maintenance of certification (MOC). Nurses may also hold non-nursing credentials including academic degrees. These are usually omitted unless they are related to the nurse's job. For instance, those with
master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.
s usually do not list their
bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to si ...
s (only the highest earned degree), and a staff nurse would likely not list an MBA, but a nurse manager might choose to do so. Some nurses who achieve a master's degree (MSN) leave the patient care aspect of nursing, and practice in a more
managerial Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business. Management includes the activities ...
role. An example would be earning an MSN in health care risk management. Such a nurse, while still fully an accredited nurse, will likely become the risk manager for a hospital, working in
health administration Health administration, healthcare administration, healthcare management or hospital management is the field relating to leadership, management, and administration of public health systems, health care systems, hospitals, and hospital networks ...
rather than direct care and perhaps even becoming the director or manager of the risk management department. In this role, he or she may never see another patient except while doing hospital inspections, or perhaps talking to a patient or the patient's family about a quality of care concern. In this role, the nurse becomes something similar to an auditor and a teacher of patient care quality and risk for the entire hospital staff. This nurse likely will also get the certification listed below: CPHQ: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality. Nursing credentials are separated from the person's name (and from each other) with commas. There are usually no periods within the credentials (e.g. "BSN" not "B.S.N.")


Nursing certifications

In the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
and
Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...
, many nurses who choose a specialty become
certified Certification is the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestation or confirmation of certain characteristics of a ...
in that area, signifying that they possess expert knowledge. There are over 200 nursing specialties and subspecialties. Studies from the
Institute of Medicine The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), formerly called the Institute of Medicine (IoM) until 2015, is an American nonprofit, non-governmental organization. The National Academy of Medicine is a part of the National Academies of Sciences, Eng ...
have demonstrated that specialty-certified nurses have higher rates of patient satisfaction, as well as lower rates of work-related errors in patient care.
Registered nurse A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized licensing body to o ...
s (RNs) are not required to be certified in a certain specialty by law. For example, it is not necessary to be a certified medical-surgical registered nurse (CMSRN) (the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
MSN MSN (meaning Microsoft Network) is a web portal and related collection of Internet services and apps for Windows and mobile devices, provided by Microsoft and launched on August 24, 1995, alongside the release of Windows 95. The Microsoft Net ...
certification, administered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board
SNCB french: Société nationale des chemins de fer belgesgerman: Nationale Gesellschaft der Belgischen Eisenbahnen , type = Statutory corporation , industry = Rail Transport , foundation = 1926 , founder = Government of ...
to work on a medical-surgical (med-surg) floor, and most med-surg nurses are not CMSRNs. Certifications do, however, instill
professionalism A professional is a member of a profession or any person who works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and ski ...
and make the nurse more attractive to prospective and current employers. Certified nurses may earn a
salary A salary is a form of periodic payment from an employer to an employee, which may be specified in an employment contract. It is contrasted with piece wages, where each job, hour or other unit is paid separately, rather than on a periodic basis. F ...
differential over their non-certified colleagues but this is rare. Some
hospital A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment with specialized health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically has an emergen ...
s and other
health care Health care or healthcare is the improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people. Health care is delivered by health pr ...
facilities are willing to pay a certified nurse extra when he or she works within their specialty. Also, some hospitals may require certain nurses, such as nursing supervisors or lead nurses, be certified. Certification instills confidence in the nurses. Magnet hospitals advocate certifications.


Alphabetical listing of nursing and related credentials and certifications


Key

Throughout the list, the following credentialing organizations are mentioned: * AACN: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (http://www.aacn.org) * AHNCC:
American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the " United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...
(http://www.ahncc.org) * ANCC:
American Nurses Credentialing Center The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is a certification body for nursing board certification and the largest certification body for advanced practice registered nurses in the U ...
(https://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/) * AANPBC:
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the " United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...
(http://www.aanpcert.org) * ONCC:
Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) is a nonprofit organization established for the development, administration, and evaluation of programs for certification in oncology nursing. Incorporated in 1984 and governed by a board of di ...
(http://www.oncc.org)


A

* AAS: Associate of Applied Science * AAN: Associate of Arts in Nursing * ABLS: Advanced Burn Life Support (''not intended for postnominal use'') * ABQAURP: CHCQM - Board Certification in Health Care Quality and Management * ACCNS-AG: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Certified by AACN) * ACCNS-N: Neonatal Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Certified by AACN) * ACCNS-P: Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (Certified by AACN) * ACHPN: Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse * ACHRN: Advanced Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse * ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (''not intended for postnominal use'') * ACM-RN: Accredited Case Manager-Registered Nurse * ACNP-BC: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified * ACNPC: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (Certified by AACN) * ACNPC-AG: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (Certified by AACN) * ACNS-BC: Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist - Board Certified * ACRN: AIDS Certified Registered Nurse * ADLS: Advanced Disaster Life Support * ADN:
Associate Degree in Nursing An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a tertiary education nursing degree which typically takes 2–3 years to complete. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Some fo ...
* AFN-BC: Advanced Forensic Nursing–Board Certified (http://nursecredentialing.org/ForensicNursing-Advanced) * AGACNP-BC: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (certified by ANCC) * AGPCNP-BC: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (certified by ANCC) * AGNP-C: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Certified (certified by AANPBC) * AHN-BC: Advanced Holistic Nurse-Board Certified (certified by AHNCC) * ALNC: Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant * ANEF: Academy of Nursing Education Fellow * ANLC: Advanced Nurse Lactation Consultant * ANP-BC: Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (certified by ANCC) * ANP-C: Adult Nurse Practitioner-Certified (certified by AANPBC) * ANVP: Advanced Neurovascular Practitioner * AOCN: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse * AOCNP: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner * AOCNS: Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist * APHN-BC: Advanced Public Health Nurse-Board Certified (changed to PHNA-BC) * APHN-BC: Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse-Board Certified (certified by AHNCC) * APN: Advanced Practice Nurse * APNP: Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber * APP:
Advanced Practice Provider Mid-level practitioners, also called non-physician practitioners or advanced practice providers, are health care providers who have a defined scope of practice. The term ''mid-level'' refers to the complexity of healthcare situations they handl ...
* APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse * ARNP: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner * ASN:
Associate of Science in Nursing An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a tertiary education nursing degree which typically takes 2–3 years to complete. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Some ...
* ATCN: Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses course


B

* BLS: Basic Life Support (''not intended for postnominal use'') * BDLS: Basic Disaster Life Support * BCEN: Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (''not intended for postnominal use'') * BM: Bachelor of Midwifery * BMTCN: Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse * BN:
Bachelor of Nursing The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, BScN) also known in some countries as a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) or Bachelor of Science (BS) with a Major in Nursing is an academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by an accredited ...
* BNSc: Bachelor of Nursing Science * BPS: Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Nursing * BS:
Bachelor of Science with Nursing Major A bachelor is a man who is not and has never been married.Bachelors are, in Richard Pitt, Pitt & al.'s phrasing, "men who live independently, outside of their parents' home and other institutional settings, who are neither married nor cohabitating ...
* BScN: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Canada) * BHSc Nsg: Bachelor of Health Science—Nursing Nursing Qualification for RNs in Australia * BSN:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, BScN) also known in some countries as a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) or Bachelor of Science (BS) with a Major in Nursing is an academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by an accredited ...


C

* CANP: Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner * CAPA: Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia nurse * CARN: Certified Addictions Registered Nurse * CATN-I: Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing -Instructor (''not intended for postnominal use'') * CATN-P: Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing -Provider (''not intended for postnominal use'') * CBCN: Certified Breast Care Nurse * CBN: Certified Bariatric Nurse * CCCI: Canadian Certified Clinical Instructor * CCCN: Certified Continence Care Nurse * CCDS: Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist * CCE: Certified Childbirth Educator * CCM:
Certified Case Manager Certification is the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestation or confirmation of certain characteristics of a ...
* CCNS: Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist * CCRN: Certification in Acute/Critical Care Nursin

* CCTC: Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator * CCTN: Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse * CDAL: Certified Director of Assisted Living * CDDN: Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse * CDCES:
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Certification is the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestation or confirmation of certain characteristics of a ...
* CDMS: Certified Disability Management Specialist * CDN: Certified Dialysis Nurse * CDONA/LTC: Certified Director of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care * C-EFM: Certified in Electronic Fetal Monitoring * CEN:
Certified Emergency Nurse Emergency nursing is a specialty within the field of professional nursing focusing on the care of patients who require prompt medical attention to avoid long-term disability or death. In addition to addressing "true emergencies," emergency nurses i ...
* CENP: Certified Executive in Nursing Practice * CETN: Certified Enterostomal Therapy Nurse * CFCN: Certified Foot Care Nurse * CFN: Certified Forensic Nurse * CFNP: Certified Family Nurse Practitioner * CFRN: Certified Flight Registered Nurse * CGN: Certified Gastroenterology Nurse * CGRN: Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse * CHES: Certified Health Education Specialist * CHN: Certified Hemodialysis Nurse * CHPLN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse * CHPN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse * CHPNA: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant * CHPPN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse * CHRN: Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse * CHSE: Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator * CHSE-A: Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced * CHSOS: Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist * CIC: Certified in Infection Control * CLC: Certified Lactation Counselor * CLNC: Certified Legal Nurse Consultant * CLS: Clinical Laboratory Scientist * CM: Certified Midwife * CMA: Certified Medical Assistant * CMAS: Certified Medical Audit Specialist * CMC: Cardiac Medicine Certification * CMCN: Certified Managed Care Nurse * CMDSC: Certified MDS Coordinator * CMSRN: Certified Medical—Surgical Registered Nurse * CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant * CNCC(C): Certified Nurse in Critical Care (Canada) * CNE: Certified Nursing Educator * CNE: Chief Nurse Executive * CNeph(C): Certified in Nephrology Nursing (Canada) * CNL: Clinical Nurse Leader * CNLCP: Certified Nurse Life Care Planner * CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife * CNML: Certified Nurse Manager and Leader * CNN: Certified in Nephrology Nursing * CNO: Chief Nursing Officer * CNOR: Certified Perioperative Nurse * CNP: Certified Nurse Practitioner * C-NPT:
Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport Certified in Neonatal Pediatric Transport (C-NPT) is the designation in the USA for a paramedic, physician, respiratory therapist, neonatal nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse or physician assistant who has earned certification from the National ...
* CNRN: Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse * CNS:
Clinical Nurse Specialist A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse who can provide advice related to specific conditions or treatment pathways. According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), an Advanced Practice Nurse is a registered nurse w ...
* CNSC: Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (Formerly CNSN: Certified Nutrition Support Nurse) * COCN: Certified Ostomy Care Nurse * COHC: Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist * COHN: Certified Occupational Health Nurse * COHN/CM: Certified Occupational Health Nurse/Case Manager * COHN-S: Certified Occupational Health Nurse—Specialist * COHN-S/CM: Certified Occupational Health Nurse—Specialist/Case Manager * CORLN: Certified Otorhinolaryngology Nurse * CPAN: Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse * CPDN: Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse * CPEN: Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse * CPHON: Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse * CPHQ: Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality * CPLC: Certified in Perinatal Loss Care * CPN: Certified Pediatric Nurse or Community Psychiatric Nurse (United Kingdom) * CPNA: Certified Pediatric Nurse Associate * CPNL: Certified Practical Nurse, Long-term care * CPNP: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner * CPON: Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse * CPSN: Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse * CRN: Certified Radiologic Nurse * CRNA:
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a type of advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia in the United States. CRNAs account for approximately half of the anesthesia providers in the United States and are the main providers ...
* CRNFA: Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant * CRNI: Certified Registered Nurse Infusion * CRNL: Certified Registered Nurse, Long-term care * CRNO: Certified Registered Nurse in Ophthalmology * CRNP: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner * CRRN: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse * CRRN-A: Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse—Advanced * CS: Clinical Specialist * CSC: Cardiac Surgery Certification * CSHA: Certified Specialist in Hospital Accreditation * CSN: Certified School Nurse * C-SPI: Certified Specialist in Poison Information * CT: Certified in Thanatology (dying, death and bereavement) * CTN: Certified Transcultural Nurse * CTRN: Certified Transport Registered Nurse * CTRS: Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist * CUA: Certified Urologic Associate * CUCNS: Certified Urologic Clinical Nurse Specialist * CUNP: Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner * CURN: Certified Urologic Registered Nurse * CVICU: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit * CVN: Certified Vascular Nurse * CVOR: Cardiovascular Operating Room * CVRN-BC: Cardiovascular Nurse-Board Certified. * CWCN: Certified Wound Care Nurse * CWOCN: Certified Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse * CWS: Certified Wound Specialist


D

* DCNP:
Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A List of dermatologists, dermatologist ...
* DipNAdmin:
Diploma in Nursing Administration A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offici ...
* DN:
Doctor of Nursing The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a professional degree in nursing. In the United States, the DNP is one of three doctorate degrees in nursing, the others being the research degrees PhD and the Doctor of Nursing Science. Internationally ...
* DNP:
Doctor of Nursing Practice The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a professional degree in nursing. In the United States, the DNP is one of three doctorate degrees in nursing, the others being the research degrees PhD and the Doctor of Nursing Science. Internationally, ...
* DrNP:
Doctor of Nursing Practice The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a professional degree in nursing. In the United States, the DNP is one of three doctorate degrees in nursing, the others being the research degrees PhD and the Doctor of Nursing Science. Internationally, ...
* DNS:
Doctor of Nursing Science The Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.S. or D.N.Sc.) is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world as a terminal research degree in nursing. The title of this degree varies with the collegiate institution which ...
also seen as DNSc * DSN:
Diabetes Specialist Nurse Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...
* DWC: Diabetic Wound Certified * DVNE: Domestic violence nurse examiner


E

* ECRN: Emergency Communications Registered Nurse (''not intended for postnominal use'') * ED: Emergency Department * EdD:
Doctor of Education The Doctor of Education (Ed.D. or D.Ed.; Latin ''Educationis Doctor'' or ''Doctor Educationis'') is (depending on region and university) a research or professional doctoral degree that focuses on the field of education. It prepares the holder for a ...
* EN: Enrolled Nurse * ENC(C): Emergency Nurse Certified (Canada) * ENP-BC: Emergency Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (certified by ANCC) * ENP-C: Emergency Nurse Practitioner- Certified (certified by AANPBC) * ENPC: Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (''not intended for postnominal use'') * ENPC-I: Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course Instructor (''not intended for postnominal use'') * ENPC-P: Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course Provider (''not intended for postnominal use'') * ET: Enterostomal Therapist


F

* FAADN: Fellow, Academy of Associate Degree Nursingbr>
* FAAN: Fellow,
American Academy of Nursing The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) is a professional organization that generates, synthesizes, and disseminates nursing knowledge to contribute to health policy and practice for the benefit of the public and the nursing profession. Founded in ...
* FAANP: Fellow,
American Association of Nurse Practitioners The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is a North American for profit, membership organization formed in 2013 as a result of a merger between the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (founded in 1985) and the American College ...
* FAAOHN: Fellow, American Association of Occupational Health Nurse

* FAAPM: Fellow, American Academy of Pain Management * FACCWS: Fellow, American College of Certified Wound Specialists * FACHE: Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives * FAEN: Fellow, Academy of Emergency Nursing * FAHA: Fellow,
American Heart Association The American Heart Association (AHA) is a nonprofit organization in the United States that funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deat ...
* FNC: Family Nurse Clinician * FNP-C: Family Nurse Practitioner - Certified (Certified by AANPBC) * FNP-BC: Family Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified (Certified by ANCC) * FPNP: Family Planning Nurse Practitioner * FRCN: Fellow, Royal College of Nursing * FRCNA: Fellow, Royal College of Nursing, Australia * FT: Fellow in Thanatology, Association of Death Educators and Counselors


G

* GN: Graduate Nurse (awaiting RN licensure) * GNP: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner * GPN: General Pediatric Nurse * GPN: Graduate Practical Nurse * GRN: Graduate Registered Nurse


H

* HACP: Hospital Accreditation Certified Professional * HNB-BC: Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate-Board Certified (certified by AHNCC) * HNC: Holistic Nurse, Certified (changed to HN-BC) * HN-BC: Holistic Nurse-Board Certified (certified by AHNCC) * HWNC-BC: Health and Wellness Nurse Coach-Board Certified (certified by AHNCC)


I

* IBQH: International Board for Quality in Healthcare * IBCLC:
International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant A lactation consultant is a health professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) certifies lactation consultants who meet its criteria and have passed ...
* ICC:
Intensive Care Certification In grammar, an intensive word form is one which denotes stronger, more forceful, or more concentrated action relative to the root on which the intensive is built. Intensives are usually lexical formations, but there may be a regular process for for ...
* ICU: Intensive Care Unit * INC: Intensive Neonatal Care certification * INS
Informatics Nurse Specialist
* IPN: Immunisation Program Nurse: Queensland Australia specialist qualification / endorsement * IR: Interventional Radiology


L

* LCCE: Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator * LGN: Licensed Graduate Nurse(British Columbia, Canada) * LGN(P): Licensed Graduate Nurse, Provisional(British Columbia, Canada) * LNC:
Legal Nurse Consultant A legal nurse consultant is a registered nurse who uses expertise as a health care provider and specialized training to consult on medical-related legal cases. Legal nurse consultants assist attorneys in reading medical records and understandin ...
* LNCC: Legal Nurse Consultant, Certified * LNP: Licensed Nurse Practitioner—Used by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Board of Nursing, as a license status * LPN:
Licensed Practical Nurse A licensed practical nurse (LPN), in much of the United States and Canada, is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. In the United States, LPNs work under the direction of physicians, mid-level practition ...
* LPT: Licensed Psychiatric Technician * LSN: Licensed School Nurse * LTAC: Long Term Acute Care * LTC: Long Term Care (LPN Specific) * LVN:
Licensed Vocational Nurse A licensed practical nurse (LPN), in much of the United States and Canada, is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. In the United States, LPNs work under the direction of physicians, mid-level practitio ...


M

* MA:
Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Tho ...
* MACN: Member,
Australian College of Nursing The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is the peak professional body and voice for the nursing profession in Australia. ACN advocates, develops policy, and provides education to advance the status, recognition, and respect for nursing nationa ...
, Australia * MAN: Master of Arts in Nursing * MICT: Master of Information and Communication Technology * MICU: Medical intensive care unit * MICU: Mobile intensive care unit * ME: Menopause Educator * MEd:
Master of Education The Master of Education (MEd or M.Ed. or Ed.M.; Latin ''Magister Educationis'' or ''Educationis Magister'') is a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum a ...
* MEmerg Nsg: Master's degree in Emergency Nursing
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
* MENP: Master of Entry to Nursing Practice (for any non-nursing bachelor's degree) * MHN: Mental Health Nurse—Registered Nurse Endorsed to practice Advanced nursing in Mental Health * MICN:
Mobile Intensive Care Nurse A Critical Care Transport Nurse is a Registered Nurse specialized in care in the pre-hospital setting. These are mostly air-medical personnel or critical care transport providers with specialized training and experience in pre-hospital care. Such ...
* MN: Master of Nursing * MPH:
Master of Public Health The Master of Public Health or Master of Philosophy in Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Master of Medical Science in Public Health (MMSPH) and the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), International Masters for Healt ...
* MRCN: Member,
Royal College of Nursing The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is a registered trade union in the United Kingdom for those in the profession of nursing. It was founded in 1916, receiving its royal charter in 1928. Queen Elizabeth II was the patron until her death in 2022. ...
(UK) * MS:
Master of Science A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast t ...
* MSA: Medicare Set-Aside * MSN:
Master of Science in Nursing A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree also may prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse admin ...
* MSN/Ed: Master of Science in Nursing Education * MSN-NLM: Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Leadership and Management.


N

* NC-BC: Nurse Coach-Board Certified (certified by AHNCC) * NCMP: Certified Menopause Practitioner * NCSN: National Certified School Nurse * NE-BC: Nurse Executive-Board Certified * NEA-BC: Nurse Executive Advanced-Board Certified * NHDP-BC: National Healthcare Disaster Professional-Board Certified * NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit * NNP-BC:
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with at least 2 years experience as a bedside registered nurse in a Level III NICU, who is prepared to practice across the continuum, providing primary, acute ...
* NP(A): Nurse Practitioner, Adult(British Columbia, Canada) * NP(F): Nurse Practitioner, Family(British Columbia, Canada) * NP(P): Nurse Practitioner, Pediatrics(British Columbia, Canada) * NP-C: Nurse Practitioner, Certified (certified by AANPBC) * NPP: Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric * NSE: Nursing Student Extern * NSWOC: Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence * NRP: Neonatal Resuscitation Program (''not intended for postnominal use'') * NVRN: Neurovascular Registered Nurse * NZCFN: New Zealand Certified Flight Nurse * NPS: Neonatal / Pediatric Specialty


O

* OCN: Oncology Certified Nurse * OMS: Ostomy Management Specialist * ONC:
Orthopaedic Nurse Certified Orthopaedic Nurse, Certified (ONC) is the designation for an orthopaedic nurse who has earned nursing board certification from the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) Job Description ONBC helps develop muscle health by administering a ...


P

* PACU: Post-anesthesia care unit * PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support (''not intended for postnominal use'') * PCCN: Progressive Care Certified Nurse * PCNS: Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist * PhD:
Doctor of Philosophy A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., or DPhil; Latin: or ') is the most common degree at the highest academic level awarded following a course of study. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. Because it is ...
* PHN: Public Health Nurse *PHNA-BC: Advanced Public Health Nurse * PHRN: Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse * PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit * PMHN-BC: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse * PMHNP-BC:
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner In the United States, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse trained to provide a wide range of mental health services to patients and families in a variety of settings. PMHNPs diagnose, con ...
* PMHCNS-BC: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist * PNP-BC: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified * PNP-AC: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care * PNP-PC: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care


Q

* QN:
Queen's Nurse The Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) is a charity which promotes high quality community nursing. Based in Edinburgh, the body was founded in 1889 with the opening of the small Central Training Home at North Charlotte Street. Due to the ...


R

* RAC-CT: Resident Assessment Coordinator * RCP: Respiratory Care Practitioner * RDN: Registered Dental Nurse (United Kingdom) * RIN: Rural and Isolated Practice Registered Nurses (RIPRN) (Queensland, Australia) * RM: Registered Midwife * RMN: Registered Mental Nurse (United Kingdom) * RN:
Registered Nurse A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized licensing body to o ...
* RN-BC: Registered Nurse, ANCC Board Certified * RN(C): Registered Nurse, Certified Practice(British Columbia, Canada) * RN(P): Registered Nurse, Provisional(British Columbia, Canada) * RN(T): Registered Nurse, Temporary(British Columbia, Canada) * RNC: Registered Nurse, Certified: American Academy Certified Nurse * RNC-LRN: Registered nurse certified in low-risk neonatal nursing * RNC-MNN:
Registered nurse certified in maternal newborn nursing In the United States, a registered nurse certified in maternal newborn nursing (RNC-MNN) is a obstetrical nurse who has earned a nursing board certification from the National Certification Corporation in maternal/newborn nursing. See also *List ...
* RNC-NIC: Registered nurse certified in neonatal intensive care * RNC-OB: Registered nurse certified in inpatient obstetrics * RNCS: Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist * RNCS: Registered Nurse Certified Specialist * RNFA: Registered Nurse First Assistant * RNM: Registered Nurse-Midwife * RNLD: Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities * RPN:
Registered practical nurse A licensed practical nurse (LPN), in much of the United States and Canada, is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. In the United States, LPNs work under the direction of physicians, mid-level practitio ...
* RPN: Registered Psychiatric Nurse (Western Canada) * RRT: Registered Respiratory Therapist


S

* SANE:
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a qualification for forensic nurses who have received special training to conduct sexual assault evidentiary exams for rape victims. SANE nurses are specially trained in the medical, psychological, and fore ...
* SANE-A: Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent * SANE-P: Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric * SCN: Supervisory Clinical Nurse * SCRN: Stroke Certified Registered Nurse * SEN: State Enrolled Nurse * SHN: Sexual and Reproductive Health endorsed RN—Queensland Australia * SN: Student Nurse (RN preparation) * SNSC: School Nurse Services Credential (California CTC) * SPN: Student Nurse (LPN preparation) * SRNA: Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist(CRNA preparation) * SVN: Student Nurse (LVN preparation)


T

* TCAR: Trauma Care After Resuscitation course * TCRN: Trauma Certified Registered Nurse * TNCC: Trauma Nursing Core Course (''not intended for postnominal use'') * TNCC-I: Trauma Nursing Core Course Instructor (''not intended for postnominal use'') * TNCC-P: Trauma Nursing Core Course Provider (''not intended for postnominal use'') * TNP: Telephone Nursing Practitioner * TNS: Trauma Nurse Specialist


V

*VA-BC: Vascular Access Board Certified


W

* WCC: Wound Care Certified * WHNP-BC: Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner * CWOCN: Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse * WTA-C: Certified Wound Treatment Associate


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nursing Credentials And Certifications Professional titles and certifications