By Melissa McKewen
At the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI), we understand the critical importance of certification in perioperative nursing. Certification not only validates a nurse’s specialized knowledge and expertise but also contributes to improved patient outcomes, increased efficiency, and enhanced job satisfaction. How can managers and facilities support their staff in pursuing this valuable credential? How can a nurse advocate for support from their facility to earn a credential and further their career?
The Value of Certification
Research has demonstrated the positive impact of certified nurses on healthcare outcomes. Hospitals with higher percentages of certified nurses show improved patient outcomes (Martin et al., 2015). Certified perioperative nurses demonstrate higher levels of clinical competence and decision-making skills, which directly translate to better patient care (Dunn, 2019).
Additionally, certification is associated with reduced surgical complications and improved patient safety (Halm, 2021). Patients treated by certified nurses report higher satisfaction levels, further underscoring the value of certification in perioperative settings.
Benefits for Nurses and Organizations
Certification offers numerous benefits for both individual nurses and healthcare organizations. For nurses, certification opens doors to career advancement and leadership roles, leading to higher job satisfaction. Certified nurses are more likely to stay with their current employer, reducing turnover rates. From an organizational perspective, a highly certified nursing staff can differentiate a facility in a competitive healthcare market. Certification also supports ongoing quality improvement efforts and can contribute positively to accreditation processes.
Supporting Your Nurses’ Certification Journey
As a manager or healthcare facility, there are several ways you can support your OR nurses in pursuing certification. Financial support is crucial – consider covering the cost of certification exams and study materials. CCI offers facility purchasing options that allow bulk purchase of exam seats at discounted rates, making this more feasible for organizations.
Education support is equally important. Provide access to study materials, practice exams, and educational resources. CCI offers various tools, including exam study outlines, practice questions, and certification webinars. Allocating paid study time and exam time for nurses preparing for certification can also make a significant difference.
Recognition programs can motivate and celebrate newly certified nurses. Consider applying for CCI’s CNOR Strong designation or TrueNorth Award to showcase your facility’s commitment to certification. Long-term integration of certification into your professional development plans and setting departmental goals for the percentage of certified staff can create a culture of continuous improvement.
Encouraging certified nurses to become CCI Certification Coaches can foster a mentorship environment, helping their colleagues prepare for exams and creating a supportive community within your organization.
Overcoming Barriers
One of the primary barriers to certification is cost. By leveraging CCI’s facility purchasing options, you can significantly reduce the financial burden on individual nurses. For example, the CNOR exam, typically priced at $495, is available at $445 through facility purchasing, saving $50 per nurse.
Additionally, creating a supportive culture that values continuous learning and professional development can help overcome time and motivation barriers. Emphasize the long-term benefits of certification, both for individual career growth and for the organization’s quality of care.
Valuable Resources for Certification Advocacy
To assist in your certification journey, CCI has developed two comprehensive documents: “How To Justify Certification” and “Empower Your Nurses Through Certification.” These resources are tools for nurses, managers, and facilities alike.
“How To Justify Certification” is designed to help individual nurses make a compelling case for certification support to their administrators. It provides a detailed breakdown of the benefits of certification, including improved patient outcomes, enhanced job satisfaction, and career advancement opportunities. The document includes a customizable letter of rationale template, which nurses can use to formally request support for their certification pursuit.
“Empower Your Nurses Through Certification” is tailored for managers and healthcare facilities. This document outlines the organizational benefits of supporting certification, such as improved patient outcomes, increased operational efficiency, and enhanced staff retention. It provides guidance on implementing a certification support program, including financial assistance, educational resources, and recognition initiatives. The document also includes information on CCI’s facility purchasing options, which can significantly reduce the cost of certification for your staff.
Both documents contain valuable statistics, research citations, and testimonials that can be used to build a strong case for certification support. They also provide detailed information on CCI’s various certifications, helping you choose the right credential for your career stage or departmental needs.
By utilizing these resources, nurses can effectively communicate the value of certification to their managers, while healthcare facilities can develop comprehensive strategies to support and encourage certification among their perioperative nursing staff.
Conclusion
Investing in certification for your perioperative nursing staff is an investment in excellence. By supporting your nurses’ certification journey, you’re not just enhancing individual careers – you’re elevating the standard of care for your patients, improving operational efficiency, and positioning your facility as a leader in perioperative nursing.
At CCI, we’re committed to partnering with healthcare organizations to foster a culture of continuous learning and excellence in perioperative nursing. We encourage you to download and use our “How To Justify Certification” and “Empower Your Nurses Through Certification” documents to help build a strong certification program in your facility. Together, we can empower nurses to reach their full potential and drive the highest standards of patient care.
– Melissa McKewen is a seasoned marketing and communications professional, currently serving as Director of Marketing and Business Development at the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). With a Master of Business Administration degree specializing in marketing, Melissa has a solid foundation for driving organizational growth and innovation. She has swiftly ascended through various roles, showcasing exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Her strong leadership skills empower her team to drive successful outcomes across various platforms, positioning CCI for continued success in credentialing and assessment.
References:
- Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). (n.d.). https://absnc.org/
- Dunn, D. (2019). The meaning and value of certification – AORN journal. AORN JOURNAL The Official Voice of Perioperative Nursing. https://aornjournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aorn.12796
- Halm, M. A. (2021). Specialty certification: A path to improving outcomes. American Journal of Critical Care. https://aacnjournals.org/ajcconline/article-abstract/30/2/156/31375/Specialty-Certification-A-Path-To-Improving?redirectedFrom=fulltext
- Martin LC, Arenas-Montoya NM, Barnett TO. (2015). Impact of nurse certification rates on patient satisfaction and outcomes: a literature review. J Contin Educ Nurs. 46(12): 549-554.
- Niss, T. (2019). Impact of nursing certification on patient and nurse outcomes. https://blog.cc-institute.org/blog/impact_of_nursing_certification_on_patient_and_nurse_outcomes
- Nosik, M., & Rosenfield, L. (2023). Upholding ethical standards in perioperative nursing: The role of credentialing organizations in fostering accountability. OR Today. https://ortoday.com/upholding-ethical-standards-in-perioperative-nursing-the-role-of-credentialing-organizations-in-fostering-accountability/
- What is the Magnet Recognition Program: ANCC. ANA. (2019). https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/magnet/about-magnet/
- Whiteside, D. (2024). Empowering nursing leadership: From informal influencers to change champions. OR Today. https://ortoday.com/empowering-nursing-leadership-from-informal-influencers-to-change-champions/
