The dreaded credentialing question

[JimRN, BSN, RN]

OK, so I thought about reapplying for my well expired board certification. Before we dig into it too deep, I changed my mind in favor of getting a master's degree.

At any rate, I'm seeing a lot of very prominent professionals using the credential "PMHRN-BC". Now, before you ask if I'm mistaking it for NP, I looked very closely. I then searched and found a lot of people using this credential, from APNA board members to the president of ANA-Maine and even seen it in published JAPNA papers.

In all of my digging, I have yet to find where ANCC approves it or where any other organization is offering this certification. It was always simply RN-BC.

Mind you, I don't really care what it's called, I'm just a little confused and seeking some insight. Thoughts?

[verene, MSN]

While the credential awarded by ANCC is "RN-BC", it would not at all surprise me that some are using PMHRN-BC to help distinguish that their specialty certification is "psychiatric mental health RN" rather than say "cardiac vascular RN" or "pain management RN" which are also ANCC credentials that lead to RN-BC credential status.

[DrZaphod, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Some states have special certifications in psych. Cali is one. It requires education beyond regular RN. That might be it, depending on your state.