title: Credentialing: understanding the terms.
abstract: Credentialing is an umbrella term that encompasses several categories, many of which have an impact when considering professional development for registered nurses. This column identifies select categories within the credentialing domain.
authors.affiliation: Montana Nurses Association, Helena, Montana. pdickerson@aol.com
authors.forename: Pamela S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Dickerson
mesh_terms: D003406:Credentialing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000592:standards*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States