Best Nursing Certifications (2026)
Nursing certifications beyond the NCLEX-RN open doors to specialty units, higher base pay, and clinical advancement. Specialty certifications like CCRN and CEN are increasingly used by hospital systems to determine pay grades and shift differentials. Travel nurses with multiple certifications regularly command rates equivalent to $90,000–$130,000 annually.
Nursing Certifications at a Glance
| Certification | Provider | Cost | Duration | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN | NCSBN | $200 | Varies | Entry |
| BLS & ACLS (Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support) | American Heart Association | $30–$150 | 4–8 hours | Entry |
| CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) | AACN | $295–$370 | 3–6 months | Advanced |
| CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) | BCEN | $220 | 3–4 months | Mid |
| OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse) | ONS/ONCC | $325 | 3–4 months | Mid |
Detailed Breakdown
NCLEX-RN
EntryNCSBN · $200 · Varies
The mandatory licensure examination required to practice as a registered nurse in the US; administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of state boards of nursing.
Official certification page →BLS & ACLS (Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
EntryAmerican Heart Association · $30–$150 · 4–8 hours
AHA BLS and ACLS certifications are mandatory for acute care nurses and required by virtually every hospital employer; renewed every 2 years.
Official certification page →CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse)
AdvancedAACN · $295–$370 · 3–6 months
AACN's flagship ICU nursing certification; requires 1,750 hours of direct care in acute/critical settings and is the gold standard for ICU advancement.
Official certification page →CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse)
MidBCEN · $220 · 3–4 months
BCEN's emergency nursing certification covering triage, trauma, cardiac emergencies, and toxicology; required for senior ER nursing positions at many Level I trauma centers.
Official certification page →OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse)
MidONS/ONCC · $325 · 3–4 months
ONS/ONCC credential validating expertise in cancer care, chemotherapy administration, and patient education; required or preferred in hospital oncology units.
Official certification page →How to Choose the Right Nursing Certification
- 1
Pass NCLEX-RN first — all specialty certifications require active RN licensure as a prerequisite
- 2
Choose CCRN if you work or want to work in an ICU, CVICU, or MICU setting with at least 1,750 critical care hours
- 3
Pursue CEN if you're in or targeting emergency nursing — it directly ties to pay grades at most hospital systems
- 4
OCN is ideal for oncology nurses seeking clinical recognition and tuition reimbursement through hospital career ladders
Salary Impact
Entry-level RNs average $72,000 nationally, while CCRN-certified ICU nurses average $85,000–$105,000. Travel RNs with CCRN or CEN credentials regularly receive contracts totaling $110,000–$130,000 per year.
Most nurses recoup specialty certification costs within 2–4 months through shift differentials, pay grade increases, or travel contract rate premiums.
Related Certification Fields
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