In the US and Canada, many nurses who choose a specialty become certified in that area, signifying that they possess expert knowledge. There are over 200 nursing specialties and sub-specialties.

Certified nurses sometimes earn a salary differential over their non-certified colleagues, and studies from the Institute of Medicine have demonstrated that specialty-certified nurses have higher rates of patient satisfaction, as well as lower rates of work-related errors in patient care.

R.N.s are not required to be certified in a certain specialty by law. For example, it is not necessary to be a CMSRN to work on a MedSurg floor. Most MedSurg nurses are not CMSRNs. Certifications serve to make the nurse more attractive to potential employers, provide better care for their patients, instill a sense of professionalism in themselves and, in some cases, extra pay. Some hospitals and other health care facilities are willing to pay a certified nurse extra when she works within her specialty. Also, some hospitals may require certain nurses be certified, like a nursing supervisor or a lead nurse.

Examples of certification
    * Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses

CMSRN Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse. A CMSRN is certified to work a medical or surgical form. In many hospitals, the medical and surgical floors are combined to create MedSurg.

    * American Association of Critical Care Nurses

CCRN A CCRN is a nurse certified in critical care, such as SICU (Surgical Intensive Care) or MICU (Medical Intensive Care). CCRN does not stand for Critical Care Registered Nurse.
PCCN Progressive Care Certified Nurse. A PCCN is certified to work in an environment such as a step down unit.
CMC Cardiac Medicine Certification. A CMC would work in an area such as the CCU, which stands for Cardiac Care Unit.

    * Emergency Nurses Association

CEN Certified Emergency Nurse. A CEN is certified to work in the Emergency Department.
CFRN Certified Flight Registered Nurse. A CFRN is certified to assist patients during helicopter or fixed-wing air transport.

    * Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses

CNOR The CNOR is the certification for professional nurses that work in surgery centers and hospitals. CNOR stands certified nurse operating room.
CRNFA Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant. A CRNFA is certified to work as the first assistant during an operation.

    * American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc.

CPAN Certified Peri Anesthesia Nurse.
CAPA Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse.

Both certifications are for nurses working in a recovery room or post anesthesia care unit, however the content on them differs, one focusing more on physiological aspects of perianesthesia care (CPAN), the other is more focused on behavioral aspects of care (CAPA). The nurse should decide which certification best suits his/her needs.

    * National Board for the Certification of School Nurses

NCSN National Certified School Nurse. An NCSN is certified to work in a school setting.

    * Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association

CHPN Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. A CHPN is certified to work in a hospice or other end of life care facility.


There are countless other certifications available to nurses, from oncology to pain management to women's health.