After reading through a nursing journal, the authors' long strings of credentials and certifications might begin to look like alphabet soup. But those certifications and credentials are more than just letters; they're evidence of a nurse's knowledge of his or her specialty and the ability to deliver the best evidence-based care.
According to the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS), certification is "the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes."1 Specialty certifications are important because they ensure that nurses are knowledgeable about the latest advances in their specialty. When nurses base their practice on the latest evidence-based guidelines, patient outcomes are optimized.
Further, for those facilities seeking Magnet accreditation, 50% of the staff must be certified in a specialty. Such certification increases nurse credibility and the level of care that patients receive.
The ABNS's certification survey indicated that those with hiring power choose nursing candidates with specialty certifications over nonspecialty certified nurses for the following reasons: Certified nurses have a proven knowledge base in a given specialty, demonstrate a greater professional commitment to lifelong learning, and have a documented experience in a given specialty.2 Nevertheless, despite this hiring preference, many of the respondents had less than 50% of certified nurses on their staff.2
Be a clinical leader on your unit by becoming certified in your specialty and encouraging others to do the same. Don't be overwhelmed by the prospect of studying for the exam by yourself. Form a study group with nurses who will also be taking the exam. Use exam prep books to help you prepare, and consider taking a prep course. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation Web site (http://www.certcorp.org) clearly outlines the content that will be covered in each exam.
Once you're certified, keep your certification current. Form a journal club to review and complete continuing-education articles or start attending conferences to maintain your continuing-education requirements. Share the information you learn from journal articles and conferences with your colleagues to further elevate the nursing practice and patient outcomes on your unit.
Nurses caring for acutely ill patients have an even greater impetus for pursuing a specialty certification. From the CCRN to the PCCN, and the CCNS to the ACNP, these nurses stay certified to deliver the best care possible to high-acuity patients. Are you ready to join them?
Anne Woods, RN, CRNP, APRN,BC, MSN
Clinical Director of Journals Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Adjunct Faculty, Immaculata University Immaculata, Pa. Per Diem Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care Chester County Hospital West Chester, Pa. [email protected]
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