LPN / LVN — Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse
Entry-level nursing license. 12–18 month practical-nursing program, NCLEX-PN exam, scope set by state. Common in long-term care, home health, and clinics.
Credentials
Nursing Credentials Explained
A plain-English guide to nursing credentials in the United States — what each one means, how nurses earn it, and what scope of practice it grants.
RN — Registered Nurse
Earned through a diploma, ADN (2-year associate), or BSN (4-year bachelor's) plus NCLEX-RN. Full scope assessment, care planning, medication administration, and supervision of LPNs and unlicensed staff.
BSN — Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A degree, not a separate license. Required for many leadership, public health, and Magnet-hospital roles, and a prerequisite for most APRN programs.
APRN — Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner (NP) — primary, acute, peds, family, psych, gerontology
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) — prenatal, labor, postpartum, primary GYN
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) — expert practice across populations
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) — anesthesia delivery
CCM — Certified Case Manager
A certification (not a license) granted by the Commission for Case Manager Certification. Held mostly by RNs who coordinate complex care across providers, settings, and payers.
Common specialty certifications
- CCRN — Critical care (AACN)
- CEN — Emergency nursing (BCEN)
- OCN — Oncology (ONCC)
- CNOR — Perioperative (CCI)
- RNC-OB — Inpatient OB (NCC)
- PMH-BC — Psychiatric mental health (ANCC)
- CHPN — Hospice and palliative (HPCC)
Verify both license and certification
Always verify the underlying license through the state board of nursing, then verify any specialty certification through the issuing body. The two are independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does APRN mean?
APRN stands for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse — an umbrella for four roles: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). All four require graduate education.
Is CCM a license or a certification?
CCM is a certification granted by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC). The underlying license is typically an RN — verify both separately.
What's the difference between RN and BSN?
RN is the license. BSN is one of the degree paths that qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN. RNs can hold a diploma, ADN, or BSN — all are licensed RNs once the NCLEX-RN is passed.
Do all states recognize the same credentials?
Licenses (RN, LPN, APRN) are state-issued and scope of practice varies — especially for NPs. Certifications (CCM, CCRN, CEN) are national and portable.