Recognition of Nursing Excellence

1
The Value of Certification

• Recognition of Nursing Excellence

2
What Is Certification?

• Certification is defined by the American Board of
  Nursing Specialties (ABNS) as the formal
  recognition of specialized knowledge, skills and
  experience demonstrated by achievement of
  standards identified by a nursing specialty to
  promote optimal health outcomes.

3
Nursing Certification Purpose

• Establishes a professional standard for qualified
  nurses
• Demonstrates commitment to particular specialty
• Establishes a level and breadth of knowledge and
  skill
• Validates experience

4
Nursing Certification Purpose

• Increases credibility
• Strengthens public trust and patient confidence
• Recertification requirements ensure exposure to
  latest developments
• Increases the value of nurses to employers and
  patients

5
Nursing Certification Perception

• Employers
• Nearly 90 of nurse managers prefer hiring
  certified nurses over noncertified nurses.1
• Peers
• More than 80 of people agree that certification
  promotes recognition from peers and other health
  professionals.2
• Public
• 73 of patients are more likely to select a
  hospital that employs a high percentage of nurses
  with an additional specialty certification.3

6
Certification vs. Certificate

• Do you know the difference?

7
Certification vs. Certificate

• Generally covers comprehensive, broad-based scope
  of practice
• Strict eligibility criteria and a solid knowledge
  of practice
• Complies with national standards, approved by
  third-party entity
• Portable, nationally recognized, earned
  credential

• Generally narrowly focused, covers subset of
  knowledge
• Usually open to anyone newcomers and
  professionals
• No third-party involvement administered and
  created by and within specific organization
• Awarded certificate, only recognized within
  specific organization

8
Certification vs. Certificate

• Primary focus is on assessment of ones
  knowledge, skills, and competencies
• Ongoing process that requires continuing
  education or re-examination to maintain
  certification

• Primary focus is on education and training with
  intent to achieve specific learning outcomes
• Once candidates successfully complete program, a
  certificate is awarded

9
As of January 2001, nurses in the U.S. and Canada
held more than 410,000 certifications in 134
specialties, granted by 67 different certifying
organizations, and at least 95 different
credentials designate these certifications.4
10
Nurse Benefits

• Intrinsic and Extrinsic Rewards

11
Intrinsic Rewards

• Personal and professional accomplishment
• Nurses who are certified have higher perceptions
  of empowerment and therefore improve work
  effectiveness.5
• Demonstrates commitment to the nursing profession
• Verifies level of clinical competence

12
Intrinsic Rewards

• Increases professional autonomy
• Opens doors to professional growth opportunities
• Increases compensation
• Nurses who reported being certified in a
  specialty made 9,200 more annually than nurses
  who werent certified.6

13
Extrinsic Rewards

• Increases employer recognition and appreciation
• 74 of nurse managers gave one or more incentives
  to promote and recognize specialty nursing
  certification.7
• Promotes recognition from peers and other
  healthcare professionals
• Strengthens patient confidence

14
Extrinsic Rewards

• Confirms patient awareness of certification
• - 78 of Americans are aware that nurses can
  become certified--higher than the certification
  awareness of teachers, physicians, and
  accountants.8

15
Patient Benefits
16
Patient Benefits

• Certification is linked with quality patient care
  and reduction in medical errors.9
• Strengthens belief in nurses competency
• Increases trust in organizations credibility
• Ensures optimal health outcomes

17
Employer Benefits
18
Employer Benefits

• Responds to public preference and demand
• Increases patient confidence
• Maintains a stable and highly skilled workforce
• Sets standard when recruiting new nurses
• Reduces liability
• Decreases in-house training time

19
Employer Benefits

• Shows support for continued education
• Demonstrates commitment to professional
  development
• Influence to apply for distinction from notable
  healthcare organizations such as American Nurses
  Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition
  Program

20
ANCC Magnet Recognition

• Highest and most prestigious international
  distinction a healthcare organization or hospital
  can receive for nursing excellence and
  outstanding patient care.

21
ANCC Magnet Recognition

• In U.S. News World Reports 2009 annual
  showcase of "America's Best Hospitals," 15 of the
  top 21 (71) medical centers are
  Magnet-recognized organizations.
• Nurse leaders in Magnet hospitals earn more
  (4.8) than their colleagues in non-Magnet
  facilities.10

22
Reward Your Certified Nurses
23
Financial Support

• Offer a bonus or increased salary to certified
  nurses
• Provide reimbursement for certification expenses
• Supply funding for study materials and continuing
  education requirements

24
Personal and Public Recognition

• Mail letter of congratulations and appreciation
• Publicly display certificates
• Create Wall of Distinction
• Organize celebratory luncheon
• Include credentials on nurses badges, business
  cards, and other published material

25
Celebrate Certified Nurses Day

• Annual day to recognize certified nurses

Created by American Nursing Credentialing Center
(ANCC) American Nurses Association
(ANA) http//www.certifiednursesday.org/
26
Certification is a critical component in the
healthcare environment, providing benefits to
nurses, patients, and employers.
27
About INCC

• Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC)
  offers the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion
  (CRNI) credential--the only nationally
  recognized and accredited certification for
  infusion nursing.
• INCC is accredited by the Accreditation Board for
  Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), formerly
  the ABNS Accreditation Council and the National
  Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
• INCC is committed to providing a program of high
  quality, supporting continuing infusion nursing
  education and research and promoting optimal
  patient outcomes.
• www.incc1.org 800-434-INCC

28
References

• American Board of Nursing Specialties Survey,
  2002.
• American Board of Nursing Specialties, Survey of
  Certified and Noncertified Nurses, 2005.
• Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of
  Critical-Care Nurses Survey, 2002.
• American Journal of Nursing, Results of study of
  certified workforce, 2001.
• Journal of Nursing Administration May 2006.
• Nursing Journal, January, 2006.
• American Board of Nursing Specialties Survey,
  2002.
• Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of
  Critical-Care Nurses Survey, 2002.
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
• Nursing Management Salary Survey, 2005.