How To Get A Nursing Certification At Ulaa

Transcription

1 Nursing Specialty Certification: Validation of Knowledge 1

2 Definition of Certification American Nurses Association (ANA) The documented validation of specific qualifications demonstrated by the individual registered nurse in the provision of professional nursing care in a defined area of practice. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) A process by which a nongovernmental agency validates, based on predetermined standards, and individual nurse s knowledge for practice in a defined functional or clinical area of nursing.

3 Overview Registered Nurse licensure validates entrylevel competence of basic knowledge and skill to perform job responsibilities. Certification validates advanced knowledge and competence in a specialty. Certification programs are intended for consumer protection. Analogous to Board Certification in other disciplines.

4 The Value of Certification Recognizing that professional certification is the highest validation of clinical excellence in a nurse s specialty, a targeted goal for improvement in professional nursing certification rates at the organizational level has been set annually at UCLA since UCLA believes that increasing the number of certified nurses is one of our most important strategies for promoting professional competence in alignment with our role based strategic initiative. 4

5 Professional Achievements Increasing the number of certified nurses at ULCA operationalizes many components of the UCLA Nursing Professional Practice Model. By obtaining specialty certification, nurses validate their role as a practitioner with expertise in their field. Certification also builds confidence in the nurse s ability as a decision maker, and it validates the nurse as a scientist, possessing knowledge of professional specialty practice standards. As leaders they have provided unwavering commitment to this goal. 5

6 UCLA Certification Goals The goal established for the last fiscal year was to increase the number of certified nurses at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center by 2%, reflecting an additional 66 certified nurses. 6

7 UCLA Certification Goals 7

8 Certification Compensation at UCLA A specialty certification compensation program is available to career nurses holding a nationally recognized certification. This program provides a financial incentive of $100 stipend per month (pro-rated for part time employees) to each certified nurse. UCLA has advocated for this stipend to offset the cost of certification to the nurse, including professional organization and testing fees. SE3 EO-A Nur-HS 378 Nurse Certification Differential Policy 8

9 Certification Campaign As part of the fiscal year 2014 strategic plan, one formalized strategy was the UCLA Dare to Be Certified Campaign, which was launched in January of The campaign was designed to raise awareness of the value of certification and the resources available to UCLA nurses committing to this pursuit. Important information was also available on-line to all nurses via the UCLA Health Department of Nursing web site. 9

10 Certification Review Courses In response to the educational needs assessment, a Certification Review Course Plan was developed. In the past 2 years, 15 on-site review courses have been offered at UCLA with over 300 nurses in attendance. Courses have been offered for 12 different specialties including critical care, progressive care, ambulatory, perioperative, oncology, and pediatrics. 10

11 Certification Review Courses All of these courses have been offered at no charge to the nurses, and they are able to utilize their continuing education hours to attend the course. All full-time nurses are eligible for forty continuing education hours per year (prorated for part-time nurses). Continuing education hours can also be utilized to attend educational offerings necessary to maintain certification. 11

12 Certification Recognition A formal recognition event for Nurses Week is held annually at UCLA. A first ever Certification Celebration was held in March 2014, to coincide with the month of National Certification Day. This event was developed to recognize both newly certified nurses and those with existing certification. It also helped to provide information to any nurses interested in becoming certified or needing to renew their certification. The event stood out across the organization as a dedicated recognition of certified nurses. 12

13 UCLA s First National Certification Day Celebration 14

14 Evidence Related to Patient Outcomes In a study of pediatric patients in 38 hospital, linked clinical nursing experience and certification to a decrease in mortality. (JONA, 2013) Hospitals with a larger percentage of nurses with a baccalaureate degree and certification was associated with a lower 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates. For every 10% increase, there was a 6% decrease odds of dying. (Evid Based Nurs., 2012) datingcertifcation.pcms 17

15 Value to the Patient and Family Certified Nurses make Decisions with more Confidence. Nurses Perceptions of Value to Patients & Families. Increased Patient Satisfaction Scores. Adherence to Evidence-Based Guidelines. Associated with Better Patient Outcomes.* *Kendall Gallagher, D, Aiken, L H, Sloane, D M, et al. (2011). Nurse specialty certification, inpatient mortality, and failure to rescue. Journal of nursing scholarship, 43(2),

16 Why Do Hospitals Support Certification? A means to recruit and retain good nurses. Knowledge that their nurses have met rigorous national requirements and are role models of professional accountability. Growing evidence links certified nursing practice and positive outcomes. Certification is among the key excellence indicators for programs such as Magnet, Beacon and Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award. 19

17 Value to Employers Enhanced Patient Care Improved Recruitment and Retention Demonstrates a Learning Organization In an acute care medical unit of a 750-bed academic health care facility: a 60% increase in certified nurses in 1-year* Initial Final Turnover 16.7% 8.1% Vacancy Rate 11.7% 4.73% Pt Satisfaction Score 88.2% 90.4% *Craven, H. Recognizing excellence: a unit-based activities to support specialty nursing certification. Medsurg Nurse. 2007, 16:

18 What does certification mean to YOU?

19 Value to Nurses Promotes quality patient care Validates knowledge and expertise Builds confidence in professional ability Demonstrates meeting national standards Shows dedication to nursing as a profession Provides potential career opportunities and financial gain Validates nurses as a credible resource for colleagues and patients Promotes personal growth and satisfaction as professional nurses

20 References Craven, H. (2007). Recognizing excellence: unit-based activities to support specialty nursing certification. Medsurg Nursing, 16(6), ; quiz 372. Kaplow, R. (2011). The value of certification. AACN advanced critical care, 22(1), Kendall Gallagher, D, Aiken, L H, Sloane, D M, et al. (2011). Nurse specialty certification, inpatient mortality, and failure to rescue. Journal of nursing scholarship, 43(2), National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Member Board Profiles. Chicago, IL: National Council of State Boards of Nursing; n.pcms