Registered nurses (RNs) are among the most in-demand professions, with an employment growth rate of six percent by 2032, resulting in an average of about 193,100 openings per year, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
At the same time, with more and more candidates looking to become registered nurses (RNs), employers are equally looking for more trained, skilled, qualified, and advanced-level nurses to provide high-quality, expert-level care to patients and support to other medical professionals.
Thus, many registered nurses are looking to advance their careers and are exploring nurse executive certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), such as the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®) and the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC®).
Let’s take a detailed look at both certifications and how registered nurses (RNs) can earn their nurse executive certification to further their careers and lives.
What is a Registered Nurse (RN)?
Registered nurses are often the first individuals patients interact with. Helping patients to their exam rooms, gathering confidential patient and family information, administering shots and vaccines, taking patient vital signs, educating patients and their families about various health conditions, and offering support where needed. All of these tasks fall to nurses.
In fact, most registered nurses do all these duties and more as part of a larger medical team alongside physicians, medical assistants, and other healthcare specialists.
When it comes to nursing education and nursing degrees, there are several educational pathways, including:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or RN-to-BSN degree
- Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN)
All of these degrees can lead to an exciting and fulfilling career as a nurse. However, advanced degrees, such as a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), are best suited for individuals looking to set themselves apart from other candidates. These nurses may then pursue nurse executive certification and nurse executive roles.
What is the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®)?
Registered nurses (RNs) looking to become nurse executives, in administrative and managerial positions at healthcare facilities, will need to earn their Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®) by passing the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certification examination.
This competency-based exam provides a valid and reliable assessment of nurses’ entry-level knowledge and skills with unit, team, service line, department, or program influence. Furthermore, candidates taking this exam are the ones who will be accountable for a single group of nurses or non-nursing staff and focus on daily operations, staffing, staff development, and individual group performance.
To be eligible for the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®), candidates must submit their official transcript from the nursing school they earned their degree from and meet the following requirements:
- A current, active registered nurse (RN) license in a state or territory of the U.S. or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.
- A Bachelor of Science degree or higher in the field of nursing.
- At least 2,000 hours of experience in leadership management or administrative role with a primary responsibility and focus on the daily operations and outcomes of one or more departments within the last three years.
- Complete 30 hours of continuing leadership, management, or administration education within the last three years.
The Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®) exam is a three-and-a-half-hour exam with 175 multiple-choice questions. The certification must be renewed every five years.
What is the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC®)?
The Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC®) is the best fit for nurses seeking advanced nursing careers who are accountable and in charge of multiple groups of nurses and non-nurse personnel and operations.
These individuals focus on strategy, high-level finance, resource management, and system integration. They often make higher-level decisions and serve as external representatives of the organization or facility in which they work.
Like the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®), the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC®) is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is valid for five years. Unlike the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®), the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC®) has different eligibility requirements, including:
- A current, active registered nurse (RN) license in a state or territory of the U.S. or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.
- A graduate degree and either the Bachelor’s or graduate degree must be in nursing, such as a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN).
- At least 2,000 hours of experience in a leadership, management, or administration position, with primary responsibility for organization or system-wide operations and outcomes, that include nursing within the last three years.
- Complete 30 hours of continuing leadership management or administration education within the last three years.
- Submit official transcripts directly from the school where the degree was earned.
The Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC®) exam is also three-and-a-half hours long and consists of 175 multiple-choice questions.
Earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing at Goodwin University
If you want to advance your nursing career in a leadership position, obtain a higher salary, and pursue one of these advanced nurse executive certifications, a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is a great choice.
Our leadership-focused Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree prepares you for the skills needed to run a nursing department, educate aspiring nurses, develop healthcare policies, and ensure excellent patient care. Not to mention that you will be prepared to take, pass, and obtain either the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®) or the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC®).
MSN students can expect to take courses in Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice and Leadership, Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice, Policy, Politics, and Organization of Healthcare, Advanced Population Health, and Leadership Practices in Organizational Communications.
Ready to practice in patient-centered clinical settings or executive administration roles? Do you want to be able to work in academia, home healthcare, hospitals, medical clinics, nursing care, and research for essential healthcare establishments?
If you answered yes, take the next step toward your future career and nurse executive certification by applying to Goodwin University’s Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) program today. Or contact us for more information.
We’re ready when you are!