Recognition of Nursing Excellence

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.”

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

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

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

Do you know the difference?

• 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

Certification vs. Certificate

Certification vs. Certificate

• Primary focus is on assessment of one’s 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

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

Intrinsic and Extrinsic 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

Intrinsic Rewards

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 weren’t certified.₆

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

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

Patient Benefits

• Certification is linked with quality patient care and reduction in medical errors.₉

• Strengthens belief in nurse’s competency• Increases trust in organization’s credibility• Ensures optimal health outcomes

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

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

ANCC Magnet Recognition®• Highest and most prestigious international distinction a

healthcare organization or hospital can receive for nursing excellence and outstanding patient care.

ANCC Magnet Recognition®

• In U.S. News & World Report’s 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

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

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

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/

Certification is a critical component in the healthcare environment, providing benefits

to nurses, patients, and employers.

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

References1. American Board of Nursing Specialties Survey, 2002.2. American Board of Nursing Specialties, Survey of Certified and

Noncertified Nurses, 2005.3. Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Survey, 2002.4. American Journal of Nursing, Results of study of certified workforce,

2001. 5. Journal of Nursing Administration May 2006.6. Nursing Journal, January, 2006. 7. American Board of Nursing Specialties Survey, 2002.8. Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Survey, 2002.9. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.10. Nursing Management Salary Survey, 2005.