As National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) approaches, perioperative nurses nationwide are taking time to elevate their profession through service. For many, volunteering with the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) is more than giving back – it’s a strategic path to developing leadership skills that support career growth and strengthen patient care (Journal of Applied Psychology).
Research consistently shows the connection between volunteerism and leadership development. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that 83% of professionals credited volunteer work with helping them gain or strengthen leadership competencies (Journal of Applied Psychology). For perioperative nurses, CCI’s structured volunteer pathways offer an ideal opportunity to build these capabilities while earning recertification points and contributing to the advancement of the specialty (Competency & Credentialing Institute, 2026).
CCI – the certifying body for perioperative nursing for more than 45 years – has certified over 85,000 nurses worldwide. Its programs rely on volunteers to help develop certification exams, create educational resources, mentor peers and shape the future of perioperative practice (Competency & Credentialing Institute, 2026).
“Volunteering with CCI is a tremendous opportunity as a professional,” CCI Director of Credentialing Tabitha Kinlaw shares, “It’s a great way to earn recertification points but also a tremendous opportunity for professional growth.”
Deloitte research reinforces this: 92% of hiring managers believe volunteer experience reliably builds leadership competencies – skills increasingly essential in OR environments that demand team management, critical thinking and cross-functional collaboration (Deloitte, 2016).
CCI offers several volunteer opportunities designed to fit diverse interests, time commitments and career stages. Certification Coaches mentor colleagues preparing for certification, earning 20 annual recertification points while building communication and motivational leadership skills. Test development committees engage volunteers in writing and reviewing exam content through one- or two-year appointments. Educational content developers create webinars, podcasts, and practice questions, building instructional design and project management capabilities (Competency & Credentialing Institute, 2026).
Research from Markitects Inc. shows that volunteer work strengthens planning, time management, mentoring and cross-functional leadership (Markitects Inc.). CCI volunteers build strategic thinking through exam development, project management through content creation cycles and communication skill through coaching. Motivational leadership grows naturally as volunteers guide peers – skills that translate directly to OR practice.
Volunteer environments also support professional networking. Virgin Group research indicates that 85% of employment opportunities are filled through networking, and 28% of professionals have discovered new career roles through these connections (Virgin Group). CCI volunteers frequently build relationships with educators, managers and directors nationwide – expanding their career visibility.
CCI volunteer roles carry meaningful recertification value. Committee volunteers earn 20 points annually, with certain test-development committees awarding 25-100 points depending on the role. Facility-based volunteering also counts, including precepting, committee service and clinical volunteer activities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 68% of volunteers work with more than one organization, making CCI a strong complement to other professional activities (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Perioperative nurses can maximize leadership development by aligning volunteer roles with career goals, documenting accomplishments and applying new skills within their OR teams. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, individuals with volunteer experience are 27% more likely to secure employment (Corporation for National and Community Service).
A phenomenological study of volunteer leaders found that volunteer roles provide an environment for testing and refining leadership approaches, with skills transferring directly to professional practice. Approximately 45% of volunteers report being motivated by career advancement opportunities (VolunteerHub).
Over time, CCI volunteers help build a stronger perioperative leadership pipeline. Their contributions support certification advocacy, mentorship and surgical safety initiatives while upholding competency standards that reduce practice variation and strengthen patient outcomes. The Corporation for National and Community Service values volunteer work at $281.74 billion annually (Corporation for National and Community Service).
CCI offers volunteer roles for nurses at all career stages. Opportunities are available at info.cc-institute.org/volunteers.
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Volunteering in the United States.
- Competency & Credentialing Institute. (2026). Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) Handbook.
- Corporation for National and Community Service. (n.d.). Volunteering and Civic Life in America.
- Deloitte. (2016). The Deloitte Millennial Survey.
- Journal of Applied Psychology. (n.d.). Study on volunteer service and leadership skills development.
- Markitects Inc. (n.d.). Research on volunteer competencies.
- Virgin Group. (n.d.). Research on networking and employment opportunities.
- VolunteerHub. (n.d.). Career development research on professional networking.
