As the chief executive officer of the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC), I'm proud to announce that INCC has earned accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA is the leader in setting quality standards and providing accreditation services to certification programs, covering hundreds of professions and occupations. As the accrediting division of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, NCCA has been serving the credentialing profession for more than 30 years. NCCA aims to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs that assess professional competency by using a peer-review process to
* establish accreditation standards,
* evaluate compliance with the standards,
* recognize organizations/programs that demonstrate compliance, and
* serve as a resource on quality certification.
The INCC certification program has now achieved accreditation by the leading agencies in both the specialty nursing and general certification fields. Accreditation by the American Board of Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), achieved in 2006, coupled with accreditation through NCCA, means that the public can feel confident that the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion(R) (CRNI(R)) credential is a credible and valid tool in documenting the experience and knowledge of nurses practicing infusion therapy.
The ABSNC, formerly the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) Accreditation Council, is the only accrediting body specifically for nursing certification. The ABSNC accreditation is a peer-review mechanism that allows nursing certification organizations to obtain accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the highest quality standards available in the industry. Accreditation is available for both ABNS member and nonmember organizations.
Seeking accreditation is a voluntary process, but we were confident about the strength and merit of our program, so we moved forward with the application. INCC met stringent standards of NCCA for the testing program. The agency confirmed that INCC has in place the appropriate processes and policies to ensure that fair and unbiased testing occurs.
INCC recognizes that there is some confusion about the differences between a certification program and one that confers a certificate. Having earned accreditation from 2 organizations supports the credibility of the INCC program, further helping us make our case for the integrity of the CRNI(R) examination. The CRNI(R) credential demonstrates the holder's specialized knowledge, skills, and experience. It is awarded by INCC, which was created to develop a certification program that promotes public protection. It does so by employing strict eligibility criteria and administering a legally defensible and psychometrically sound examination.
A certificate program, on the contrary, is an educational program that awards a certificate after completing the program. Certificate programs are usually open to anyone who applies, and they are geared toward obtaining specific skills or knowledge. While certificate programs may award a certificate of attendance or participation, they do not award a credential.
Two accreditations of INCC are significant achievements, and all stakeholders-certificants, CRNI(R) candidates, employers, and, most especially, patients-should understand why it is important. For more than 25 years, INCC has promoted excellence in infusion nursing certification by developing and administering a comprehensive, evidence-based infusion certification program. NCCA's accreditation of our program is a fitting tribute to that excellence. It affirms commitment of INCC to patient safety and public protection.
We are proud of our certification program and, like our CRNI(R)s, excited that we passed with flying colors!!
Mary Alexander