More than a title

Reap the Benefits of Certification

“…You may experience personal growth, a sense of accomplishment, and recognition by successfully completing the certification process. 5 if you're interested in medical-surgical certification, you might feel confident about cardiac topics but think you need to learn more about renal topics. 3 Increased feelings of competence and self-confidence can influence the patient care you provide.…”

Addressing Barriers to Achieving Nursing Certification

“…In a study at a major nursing management conference, 86% of the nurse managers surveyed indicated a preference for hiring certified nurses. The majority (75%) stated they would hire a certified nurse because of the proven knowledge in a specialty area (Stromberg et al, 2005). Value to the public is shown through the organization's pursuit of awards of excellence; the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence from AACN and the Magnet Recognition Award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center emphasize the achievement of nursing certification and include this standard in their recognition programs (Watts, 2010).…”

Are certified nurses better professionals?

“…6,10 Specific benefits of employing certified nurse experts, such as having them serve as peer support for direct care nurses, assist in quality improvement activities, mentor colleagues preparing for exams, and improve collaboration with health team members, were noted by nurses and organizations alike. 16 Although certified nurses have attributed certification to favorable changes in their practice, the assumption that certification contributes positively to improved patient outcomes is largely hypothetical. 13 Researchers have concluded that the certified workforce has remained largely invisible to the analysis of cost, quality, and value.…”