Authors

1. Chappell, Kathy PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN
2. Jeong, Dahn MSc
3. ElChamaa, Rima BSocSc, BHSc
4. Lundmark, Vicki PhD
5. Kendall-Gallagher, Deborah PhD, MS, JD, BSN
6. Salt, Elizabeth PhD, RN, RP
7. Newhouse, Robin PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
8. Johantgen, Meg PhD, RN
9. Reeves, Scott PhD
10. Moore, Donald PhD, FSACM
11. Olson, Curtis PhD
12. Van Hoof, Thomas MD, EdD
13. Price, David MD, FAAFP, FACEHP
14. Campbell, Craig MD, FRCPC
15. Danilovich, Natalia MD, PhD
16. Kitto, Simon PhD

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to construct a sensitizing definition of certification in nursing for research purposes that can provide a foundation from which to further develop a coherent research program building evidence about the impact of certification on healthcare outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The lack of a single definition of certification in nursing makes it difficult to draw conclusions about the relationship between specialty certification and patient outcomes.

METHODS: This study was guided by the Delphi-Chaffee hybrid methodology proposed by Grant et al.

DISCUSSION: Constructing a single, sensitizing definition of certification: 1) provides coherency for direction of certification research; 2) serves as a guide for researchers; and 3) facilitates multimethodological approaches to exploring the relationship among the different components of the definition of certification.

CONCLUSION: A sensitizing definition of certification provides an opportunity for researchers to study the relationship between nursing certification and patient outcomes.