Nursing jobs have numerous career growth opportunities. You can pursue a number of nursing certifications to not only gain experience and skills but also boost your salary. Earning specialized certification in certain departments will help you improve patient care, along with higher salary expectations. 

With such nursing certifications, you can opt for higher-paying roles in specialized fields and leadership opportunities. These certificates demonstrate proven expertise, highly valued by employers, leading to increased salaries and additional financial benefits.

Top 15 Advanced Nursing Certifications to Boost Salary

Here are the top nursing certifications to help nurses increase their salary expectations: 

1. Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA Certification)

CRNAs are among the highest-paying jobs. They assist anesthesiologists in administering anaesthesia during interventional and surgical procedures. However, due to the critical nature of the job, they need to be very experienced. This is why nurses with CRNA certification are well compensated, with an average CRNA salary of around $212,650 per year in the US. Moreover, travel CRNA jobs are the most money you can make as a travel nurse, making this certification even more lucrative. 

2. Progressive Care Nursing Certifications (PCCN)

As the baby boomers age, the need for adult care with acute or chronic illness is increasing. Due to this, employers are putting greater value on PCCN certification. Nurses with PCCN certification provide acute care to such patients who require intense care but not enough to reach ICU. Hence, this certification can significantly enhance the job prospects for RNs. This will allow them to work in various medical settings, including telemetry, critical care, ER, and SNFs.  

3. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP Certification)

NRP certification is critical for NICU nurse jobs. Nurses with NRP certification often work in labor and delivery, pediatric nurse jobs, and, of course, the NICU. They are responsible for providing intensive care to newborn babies with a rough start. Hence, they are well compensated with an average NICU nurse salary of around $127,391 per year.  

4. Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification (ANP-BC)

Due to the global shortage of healthcare professionals, nurse practitioners are highly in demand to provide primary care. Hence, after completing a board-certified nurse practitioner program, nurses need an adult nurse practitioner certificate to start working as primary caregivers. This will maximize their earning potential. Due to this, a nurse practitioner salary with this certification can go up to $165,240.

5. Hemodialysis Nurse Certification

Certified dialysis nurses earn up to $125,000 per year. Hence, hemodialysis nurse certification is a great step to improve your earning potential. These nurses are often referred to as nephrology nurses and are responsible for caring for patients undergoing dialysis.   

6. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

CENs play a crucial role in any medical facility. One of the most critical nursing jobs is providing emergency care to acutely ill or injured patients. Hence, certified emergency nurses are well compensated, with salaries going up to $156,000 per year for top earners. However, as per the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing recommendations, nurses should go for this certificate after at least two or more years of experience as emergency nurses. 

7. Critical Care Registered Nursing Certifications (CCRN)

The CCRN certificate demonstrates a nurse’s proficiency in severe and life-threatening situations in the critical care units. Hence, employers often prefer nurses with CCRN certificates for critical care units such as the ICU, PICU, NICU, and CVICU. This certificate also prepares nurses for critical care and acute care specialties. Due to this, critical care registered nurses are well compensated with salary expectations reaching up to $171,500 per year for top earners.

8. Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)

As the demand for Long-term care is increasing in our growing population, family nurse practitioner jobs are becoming more in demand. However, this certificate is for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This is because the prerequisites for FNP-BC are very extensive, requiring a master’s or doctoral degree in an accredited FNP program. Hence, the average family nurse practitioner salary in the US can go up to $191,000 per year.

9. Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)

The nursing shortage is still a critical issue in the US due to a lack of potential educators. Most nursing schools in the US are unable to expand their capacity to meet the rising demand of the nursing workforce. Due to this, there is an increased need for certified nurse educators. Most RNs join the healthcare workforce, leaving the education department lacking. However, training the upcoming healthcare force can be equally rewarding.  Hence, the average clinical nurse educator salary can reach up to $143,500 per year. 

10. Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)

As we progress, the need for simulations in healthcare is becoming more prevalent. Hence, nursing educators focused on healthcare simulators need CHSE certification to teach and train aspiring nurses. This certification demonstrates the advanced proficiency of nurse educators, especially in the healthcare simulation department. Due to the specialization factor of the certification, it significantly boosts the salary of nurse educators.  

11. Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS)

Nurses focused on providing care to adolescents with life-threatening conditions need PALS certification. It’s a common certification that is completed in just eight hours. However, NPs need to renew it every two years. This certification is important for nursing jobs and adds valuable credits in pediatric emergency care. Providing care to kids in critical situations can be mentally exhausting. Hence, employers put great value in nurses with such certifications. 

12. Surgical Nursing Certifications (CST & CNOR)

The surgical department is among the most crucial ones in any medical facility. Nurses aspiring to enter the surgical sector need nursing certifications to become a certified surgical technologist (CST) or a certified nurse operating room (CNOR). Due to this, nurses can expand their job potential in other allied healthcare departments. This will greatly improve their earning potential, opening the door to travel surgical tech jobs as well.  

13. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS)

The US is facing a critical rise in cardiac issues due to several factors. Hence, the need for RN jobs with proficiency in cardiac disorders is becoming more in demand. ACLS certification is essential for nurses in critical care units and cardiac care units. This certification is similar to PALS, just more directed toward adults, especially those with cardiac issues. Completing ACLS certification is a key to several opportunities in nursing jobs.

14. Wound Care Nursing Certifications (CWCN, WCC)

Nurses specializing in wound care, ostomy, and continence care need wound care nursing certifications, such as CWCN or WCC. These nursing certifications demonstrate the proficiency of RNs and are highly regarded by employers. Nurses with these certifications are often offered competitive salaries in emergency care, SNFs, long-term care facilities, and home care. 

15. Travel Nursing Certifications (TNCC, TCRN)

Traveling nurse jobs require a high level of proficiency. Hence, certifications in trauma and emergency significantly enhance their earning potential. Travel nurse jobs are often offered in critical situations, such as a disaster-struck area where the number of trauma and injured patients is very high. Hence, completing these certificates allows travel nurses to get more assignments due to their higher credibility. 

Conclusion 

There are several nursing certifications that improve your salary. However, before deciding to pursue one, you need to do extensive research to understand the prerequisites, renewal policies, and relevance against your current experience. You can also connect with a healthcare staffing agency to find the right certificate and examination board for you.  

Explore different nursing certifications with the best healthcare staffing agency and compete to boost your salary!