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 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. 58% stated that they see a positive performance difference in certified 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

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 Read INCC’s Certification vs Certificate article at incc1.org.

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 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 Intrinsic Rewards

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 Strengthen 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 The more knowledgeable the nurses, the better they can recognize problems and intervene appropriately resulting in fewer 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 Maintains a stable and highly skilled workforce Sets standard when recruiting new nurses Reduces liability Decreases in-house training time Shows support for continued education 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. 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)

Certification is a critical component in the healthcare environment, providing benefits to nurses, patients, and employers.

The Value of the CRNI Credential The Value of the CRNI® Credential Certified Registered Nurse Infusion Accredited by:

Why CRNI®? The only nationally recognized and accredited certification for infusion nursing. INCC’s 25 year proven track record Improves creditability through recognized validation of infusion therapy experience Professional development: preparing and maintaining the CRNI® credential advances knowledge in nine-core areas of infusion nursing. Demonstrates commitment to infusion nursing specialty. In a 2010 INCC survey, 80% of CRNI®s said their employers supported their certification; covering exam and recertification expenses and/or increasing compensation.

CRNI® Recognition CRNI®s receive a certificate and a CRNI® pin. The designation CRNI® can be used on a name badge, letterhead, business cards, and all other forms of professional address. INCC offers a number of free nurse and employer resources: – CRNI® poster – Market Yourself brochure – Employer’s Guide to Infusion Nursing Certification – CRNI® Exam Passers Press Release – CRNI® Wall of Excellence

Obtaining the CRNI® Credential Pass a comprehensive exam offered March and September at over 170 locations nationwide and 60 international locations. – Exam developed by an RN Examination Council and testing agency, Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) – INCC’s accreditations have determined that the structures in place to administer the CRNI® examination meet and exceed the standards of the certification industry from a legal, regulatory, and association management perspective. Candidates with a current, unrestricted RN license and a minimum of 1,600 hours of experience are eligible to apply.

Maintaining the CRNI® Credential Recertification is required every three years through examination or continuing education. – By exam – The pass rate for recertifying CRNI®s is … – By continuing education – CRNI®s must earn 40 recertification units (not contact hours). All CRNI®s must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of experience in infusion therapy.

CRNI® Testimonials “I am proud to bear the designation CRNI®. I have always been confident in my skills and abilities as an infusion nurse specialist. My CRNI® credential is a “gold standard” symbolizing my expertise to my patients and their families.” -Nancy DuBois, MSN, RN, CRNI®, Philadelphia, PA The CRNI ® credential is a requirement for infusion nurses at Deaconess HomeCare. I feel that CRNI ® s are an integral part of their nursing team. I believe this certification reduces the risk to our patients, nurses, and physicians. –Suzanne Ingram, RN, CRNI®, Hattiesburg, MS The day I received notification that I had successfully passed the CRNI® exam was one of the proudest days in my professional career. It tells my peers and colleagues that I am an infusion expert and that they can utilize me as a resource. –Marvin Siegel, RN, CRNI®, New York, NY

Contact INCC 315 Norwood Park South Norwood, MA (800) 434-INCC Fax (781) Find exam and recertification information, exam study materials, application forms and nurse and employer resources at To request a free copy of the CRNI® Bulletin, the comprehensive guide to the certification process,

References 1. Stromberg MF, Niebuhr B, Prevost S, Fabrey L, Muenzen P, Spence C, et al. Specialty certification more than a title. Nursing Management. 2005;36(5): Niebuhr B, Biel M. The value of specialty nursing certification. Nursing Outlook. 2007;55(4): Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Survey Accessed on April 5, Cary AH. Certified registered nurses: results of the study of the certified workforce. American Journal of Nursing. 2001;101(1): Piazza IM, Donahue M, Dykes PC, Griffin MQ, Fitzpatrick JJ. Differences in perceptions of empowerment among nationally certified and noncertified nurses. Journal of Nursing Administration. 2006;36(5): Mee CL. Salary survey. Nursing. 2006;36(10): Stromberg MF, Niebuhr B, Prevost S, Fabrey L, Muenzen P, Spence C, et al. Specialty certification more than a title. Nursing Management. 2005;36(5): Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Survey Accessed on April 5, Redd ML, Alexander JW. Does certification mean better performance? Nursing Management. 1997;28(2): Hader Salary Survey Nursing Management. 2005;36(7):18-27.