June 21, 2022
Nursing is a highly sought-after profession; nevertheless, there’s still a shortage of certified nurses. Hospitals are looking for skilled nurses to fill the roles as the demand has risen exponentially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the nursing career is experiencing a shift to certified and skillful people. The field is highly specialized now, and you will need to keep yourself up-to-date with new knowledge and skillset to keep pace with the fast-evolving industry.
Clinics and hospitals are searching for nurses with advanced certifications and basic qualification requirements. Will you meet these expectations?
Top Advanced Nursing Certifications and Their Average Salary
As discussed, hospitals and clinics hire nursing professionals with the most up-to-date and advanced certifications. This is because it takes less time to train and qualify these nurses on the job, and they can start working immediately with little supervision.
So, what advanced nursing certification should you pursue? We have compiled a list of the most promising certifications to get recognition and better salary compensation in your nursing career.
1. Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses states that CCRN is a specialty credential for nurses who want to pursue critical and emergency care careers. They are for nurses who offer care to very ill patients in ICU or CCUs, trauma units, medical or surgical ICUs, or critical care flights.
The salaries of CCRNs in the U.S. range from $46,360 to $101,630, with a median salary of $67,490.
2. Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
According to the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board, the CMSRN is a gold standard of excellence. It is a path for medical-surgical nurses to build and showcase commitment and credibility.
ZipRecruiter, an employment website, lists the national average for CMSRN salary as $51,826 as of 2021, with reported earnings ranging from $17,500 to $122,000 per year.
3. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
The CEN certification is the cornerstone of an emergency department, equipping certified RNs with high-level skills, practical knowledge, and expertise in patient care. The annual salary of CENs ranges from $50,000 to $101,000, with the median salary being $72,017.
According to BCEN.org, emergency nurses with a current CEN certification make $1,397 more pay annually than emergency nurses without a CEN. Moreover, 70% of nurses say having a CEN makes it easier to find more satisfactory employment.
4. Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN)
The American Board of Neuroscience Nursing states that a nurse with CNRN has an all-encompassing knowledge of and experience with important neuroscience concepts. If you are a nurse caring for patients with neurological trauma, chronic illness, tumors, infections, and seizures, CNRN is the best credential for your nursing career.
The annual salaries of CCRNs in the U.S. range from $46,360 to $101,630, with a median salary of $67,490.
5. Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
The CPN certificate will validate your expertise if you work in pediatrics. With this certificate, you are expected to have more career opportunities and better earning potential. According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a CPN is $71,464 in the U.S.
Getting a CPN credential certifies that you have the experience and knowledge to work with pediatric patients and their families. Nurses with this credential can work in a variety of healthcare settings. They can do routine check-ups, educate parents and follow patients during treatment.
6. Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation offers the only nationally accredited oncology certification to nurses working in the oncology department.
With the increased cancer risks, hospitals seek certified oncologists to understand the disease better. Their earning potential is far better than a non-certified oncologist nurse given the demand. As of December 2021, the average hourly pay for an OCN in the U.S. is $41.99 an hour, translating to $87,340 annually.
7. Nurse Practitioner
As a nurse practitioner, you can advance your skills and your earning potential along the way by later specializing in a field, if you wish. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioner jobs are expected to grow 45% through 2030.
As of May 2020, nurse practitioners earn a median salary of $117,670 per year. They typically work 40 hours per week, making their hourly wage about $56.57.
How Advanced Nursing Certifications Impact Earning Potential
Nursing jobs pay well whether you are certified or not. However, times are changing, and more hospitals require you to have additional nursing certifications, especially if you want to climb the nursing career ladder. Each specialty now demands a skilled nurse rather than those who fulfill basic educational requirements.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average registered nurse in the United States without an advanced certification has an average salary of $70,000 annually. However, if you have advanced nursing certifications in your respective field, your earning potential rises significantly.
As per Nurse.com’s 2017 Salary Survey, the base salaries of certified nurses alone are greater than those of nurses who are not certified. Moreover, many organizations pay for certification preparation exams and test fees, rewarding nurses with hourly certification differential pay. Another survey revealed that, on average, nurses certified in their field make 23% more money than their non-certified colleagues.
Boost Your Nursing Career
Advanced nursing certification ensures career growth, with salary brackets getting higher with each attained certificate. The medical practice is complicated and needs continuous learning to stay abreast with the latest medical techniques and skills in the field. Stand out from the crowd with unique certifications that set you apart.
Sources:
- Elite Learning. “Nurse Salary by Specialty Certification.” https://www.elitelearning.com/resource-center/nursing/nurse-salary-by-specialty-certification/. 24 December 2021.
- com. “Enjoy the perks of nurse certification.” https://www.nurse.com/blog/2018/03/14/enjoy-the-perks-of-nurse-certification/. 24 December 2021.
