Hope everyone has recovered from the extreme weather we have had this year. Hopefully, we will have a much nicer summer. The PSNCB has been busy this year getting all our ducks in a row. We have updated our scope of practice, meeting with the task force regarding the nonsurgical aesthetic nurse certification through conference calls, and working on our presentation The Importance of Certification for the upcoming convention in Denver. I want to thank my wonderful board for all their hard work and dedication. I feel very fortunate.
The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board Policies & Procedures definition of certification is as follows:
Certification serves as an added credential beyond nursing education and licensure which is awarded to the register nurse who demonstrates by examination, adherence to specialty nursing standard and the acquisition of the body of knowledge of that specialty. The certification examination is designed to test the body of knowledge of the plastic surgical nurse.
I want to encourage those who have been working in plastic surgery for at least 2 years to take advantage of the Allergan grant being offered to first-time examination takers. To apply, go to http://www.aspsn.org Web-site to the online document section and download the application.
The ASPSN Web site also has study material through the (PSN) official journal. You can purchase the third edition Core Curriculum for Plastic Surgical Nursing in the online store. It is an excellent resource. You may also want to take the review course offered at the convention in Denver. The comments from past examination takers have been excellent.
A lot of the CPSN nurses are due for recertification this year. Be sure and get your applications in early. The filing deadline for those selecting the continuing education option is at least 60 days in advance of the expiration date listed on the certificate. Forty-five (45) contact hours within a 3-year period are required to meet the contact hour requirement. Thirty (30) must be specifically related to plastic surgical nursing. Applicants for recertification must currently practice plastic surgical nursing at least 50% of their working hours. I want to remind those nurses that a new requirement has been added: two patient safety CEUs need to be included in your 45 contact hours.
The purpose of recertification is to ensure that the certified plastic surgical nurse continues to maintain a practice in nursing and has continued to expand and keep current his or her base of nursing knowledge. Recertification is valid for a 3-year period. Maintenance of recertification is contingent upon the individual's maintaining RN licensure and meeting recertification requirements.
I am looking forward to the ASPSN 37th Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado. Make your reservation soon at the Westin Tabor Center, September 23-27, 2011.