Top Nursing Certifications for New Graduate Nurses

Starting a nursing career as a new graduate can be an exciting yet daunting experience With so many options, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which certification is the right fit after nursing school. The good news is obtaining a certification as a new grad nurse can increase your job prospects, expand your nursing skills, and boost your earning potential

In this article, we will explore some of the best entry-level nursing certifications that new grads should consider to give their resume a competitive edge. We will break down the most popular certifications by specialty area, highlight key details like exam fees and eligibility requirements, and provide tips for choosing the right credential for you

General Nursing Certifications

1. ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)

The ACLS certification is one of the most widely recognized credentials for nurses working with critically ill patients. ACLS covers core skills like airway management, defibrillation, and heart rhythm interpretation for patients experiencing cardiac emergencies.

• Eligibility: RNs or student nurses
• Administered by: American Heart Association
• Exam fee: $200 for AHA members

2. PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

PALS teaches essential skills for managing respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies in infants and children Many pediatric units require new grad nurses to obtain PALS certification.

• Eligibility: RNs or student nurses
• Administered by: American Heart Association
• Exam fee: $200 for AHA members

3. TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)

The TNCC certification provides standardized trauma training for emergency department and trauma center nurses. It covers initial assessment, intervention, and evaluation of trauma patients.

• Eligibility: RNs
• Administered by: Emergency Nurses Association
• Exam fee: $245 for ENA members

Specialty Certifications

Beyond general nursing credentials, many new grads choose to pursue specialty certifications in their desired clinical area of practice. Here are some top options:

Critical Care

• CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) – Acute and critical care certification for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients

Emergency Nursing

• CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) – Foundational emergency nursing care certification

Medical-Surgical Nursing

• CMSRN (Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse) – Foundational certification in med-surg nursing

Pediatrics

• CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse) – Entry-level pediatric nursing certification

Psychiatric & Mental Health

• PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) – Certification for NPs specializing in psychiatric care

How to Choose the Right Certification

With so many options, choosing the right certification may seem tricky for new grad nurses. Here are some tips to select the best credential for you:

• Consider your specialty – Match the certification to your desired clinical focus. For example, if you want to work in the NICU, the CCRN neonatal credential is a smart choice.

• Review eligibility requirements – Make sure you meet all eligibility criteria in terms of RN licensure, clinical hours, or exam prerequisites.

• Understand exam content – Review exam breakdowns and blueprints so you know what content will be covered.

• Factor in costs – Account for exam fees and prep course costs in your budget. Look into employer reimbursement if available.

• Research value for career goals – Talk to nurses in your specialty to see which credentials they recommend to advance your career aspirations.

• Check hospital requirements – For new grads seeking their first RN job, consider certifications that are preferred or required by your target employers.

Timing Your Certification

Once you’ve selected the right credential, the next key decision is timing. Here are some options on when to sit for your certification exam:

• Prior to Graduation – Some nursing students test for general certs like ACLS/PALS before graduating while knowledge is fresh.

• Soon After NCLEX – Testing soon after passing the NCLEX can help reinforce nursing knowledge from school.

• After Orientation – Delaying until completing orientation enables new nurses to gain clinical experience before testing.

• At 1 Year Mark – Earning certification around your one-year work anniversary displays growing expertise.

Evaluate your personal situation to choose the optimal time to gain credentials as a new nurse. Just remember that the earlier you certify, the sooner you can leverage your new qualifications.

Recertification Requirements

Once earned, most certifications are valid for 3-5 years initially. To maintain your credentials, you must recertify through one of these paths:

• Retaking the certification exam
• Completing continuing education credits
• Documenting clinical practice hours

Carefully review recertification rules so you understand requirements to keep your certifications current. For instance, maintaining active ACLS or PALS status requires retaking the course and passing the exam every 2 years.

Bottom Line

Earning your first certification as a new graduate nurse is a worthwhile investment in your professional development. Not only can it make you more marketable for that ideal first RN job, but it also lays the foundation to demonstrate and build your clinical expertise over your career. Just make sure to research all options thoroughly and choose the certification that best matches your specialty interests, career aspirations, and practice environment.