Covid-19 Certification - Covid-19 Certification

If you work with patients with severe COVID-19, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) offers a COVID-19 micro-credential to help you care for the unique needs of this patient population.

This micro-credential focuses on a specific subset of knowledge and is based on an online class from the AACN called COVID-19 Pulmonary, ARDS and Ventilator Resources. To take this course, you must have an account with the AACN as the material is available online.

The COVID-19 Pulmonary, ARDS and Ventilator Resources course covers many topics relevant to caring for a COVID patient in an ICU, including analyzing blood gasses, oxygenation, ventilation, ARDS, endotracheal tube intubation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and trouble-shooting ventilators. Additional course content includes managing ventilated patients, from neuromuscular blockades to spontaneous awakening trials to weaning. 

This course is not required to take the exam, but it is recommended as the exam tests the content of the course.

The exam takes 90 minutes and consists of 38 questions. The course is free, but the exam costs $30 for AACN Members and $45 for non-members.

There are no distinct eligibility requirements for this micro-certification. You can purchase and complete the exam online on your own time.

As this is a micro-credential, this certification does not need to be renewed.

CE hours are provided for this course. CE expiration date March 26, 2026.

The AACN provides a test outline with the general topics the exam covers.

Nurses caring for patients with severe COVID-19 infections in an ICU should consider a CCRN credential. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) also offers the following:

• Certification in Acute/Critical Care Nursing Pediatric (CCRN-Pediatric)

• Certification in Acute/Critical Care Nursing Neonatal (CCRN-Neonatal)

• Adult Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K Adult)

• Pediatric Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K Pediatric)

• Neonatal Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K Neonatal)

• Adult TeleICU Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN-E) (Adult)