If you’re a NICU nurse, you’ve probably heard your coworkers discussing the benefits of certification. Although certification can be great for nurses and facilities, it can be challenging to find accurate and reliable information on how to begin the certification journey.
Here, we provide an in-depth overview of NICU nurse certification, list the ways that becoming certified can boost your professional portfolio (and your paycheck!), and provide next steps for RNs looking to become certified and take the next step in their nursing career.
What Is a Certified Nurse?
A certified nurse is an RN who has gone on to earn an additional specialty certificate in their area of practice. This certification is achieved after completing nursing school, becoming licensed, and working as a nurse for a few years in your specialty.
Being certified means you've taken extra "training" and have studied and passed a specialty exam. This looks good to employers because neither nursing schools or the NCLEX go into detail on these specialty nurse duties and roles.
What Is the Difference Between a Certified Nurse and Registered Nurse?
Being a registered nurse means that an individual is a licensed nurse who has completed nursing school and has passed the NCLEX. A certified nurse, like stated above, has earned a specialty certification above and beyond the normal nursing license criteria. Being certified in an area or specialty isn’t usually mandatory to qualify for a nursing job, but it can help you stand out among applicants and can even help you earn a bit more money when negotiating your salary!
What Kinds of NICU Nurse Certifications are There?
In the NICU world, there are two main certification pathways you can take — the RNC-NIC and CCRN-Neonatal certifications. After becoming an RNC-NIC, you can further your certification journey by pursuing a sub-specialty certification: Care of the Extremely Low Birthweight Neonate (C-ELBW) and Neonatal Neuro-Intensive Care (C-NNIC)
Types of NICU Nurse Certifications:
♡RNC-NIC
♡C-ELBW
♡C-NNIC
♡CCRN-Neonatal
You may be wondering — which NICU certification should I pursue? Both NICU RN certification routes are good options. Some hospitals provide extra pay for one or the other, so be sure to check this out before choosing which route to take.
Becoming a Certified Nurse: 3 Key Steps to Get Started
Now that you’re familiar with the NICU RN certification types, you’re probably curious about the certification processes and timelines. Below, we outline three tips to help you get started.
1. Make sure you meet clinical practice requirements
We’ve listed current requirements for each certification below, but be sure to check each organization’s website prior to beginning your certification journey to ensure no recent changes have been made.
a. Current licensure as an RN in the U.S. or Canada.
b. 24 months of specialty experience as a U.S. or Canadian RN comprised of a minimum of 2000 hours (this must have occurred sometime in your career). This specialty experience can be comprised of direct patient care, education, administration or research. Both practice time and hours must be met. This is not an either/or criterion.
c. Employment in the specialty sometime in the last 24 months.
Certified-Care of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate (C-ELBW)
Current licensure in the U.S. or Canada as a physician, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse (NNP, CNS), neonatal therapist (PT, OT, SLP), neonatal dietitian, pharm-D, respiratory therapist or paramedic.
No practice experience is required (minimum of one year of experience recommended)
Once you pass the Care of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonatal certification examination, you’ll be able to use the credential C-ELBW.
Certified-Neonatal Neuro-Intensive Care (C-NNIC)
Current licensure in the U.S. or Canada as a physician, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or respiratory therapist.The license number, licensing state or province and expiration date will need to be recorded. You will need to upload verification of current licensure.
No practice experience is required (minimum of one year of experience recommended)
Once you pass the Neonatal Neuro-Intensive Care certification examination, you’ll be able to use the credential C-NNIC
a. A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required.
b. There are two options for clinical experience and practice hours:
Two-Year Option: Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill neonatal patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application
5-Year Option: Practice as an RN or APRN during the previous five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill neonatal patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application.
2. Sign Up for a Certification Review Course
There are tons of NICU nurse certification review classes out there. Some are hosted in-person, while others are conducted online. While these courses aren’t necessary to pass the exam, they definitely help you get familiar with all of the tested concepts. I think this RNC-NIC Review Course & Amanda's RNC-NIC Success are two of the best out there! Make sure to use code: NICUITY for 15% off Amanda's course.
3. Register For Your Exam and Begin Studying Independently
Once you’ve met all of the clinical requirements, finished your review course, and feel prepared to sit for the test, it’s time to register for your certification examination. You can take this exam at a variety of testing centers, which are located all over the country in convenient areas.
Looking for additional ways to prepare for your nursing certification exam?
It’s important to continue studying up until the day of your exam! If you’re looking for additional nursing certification study resources, check out our NICUity Academy courses and resource materials! These can help you prepare for certification and can also be an excellent reference material for practicing at the bedside.
Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN graduate a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey, married & new mom life & juggles work, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
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