American Nurses Association
Currently, the ANA and the ANCC offer 3 levels of credentialing, with the level of credential available to nurses based upon their educational degrees and experience.
The ANA offers:
Credentialing for RNs with diplomas or AA degrees;
Credentialing for RNs with BSNs or higher nursing degrees; and
Credentialing for advanced practice nurses.
For more details on ANA/ANCC credentialing, please visit their Web site.
Credentialing through specialty nursing organizations
Some professional nursing associations representing specialty areas have their own credentialing programs. Some compete with the credentials offered by the ANA/ANCC, while others provide credentials for nurses in specialties for which the ANA/ANCC does not have an equivalent.
A few examples of certification programs offered by specialty organizations include:
