Why Employers should support Specialty Certifications for RNs This presentation addresses RN specialty certification as an effective policy remedy to the issues of RN continuing education and continued competence, which have arisen in part due to the growing dialogue on health care errors and on increasing health care complexities. Reinforcing specialty certification as an employee benefit is a potential win-win for nurses, employers, and patients.

Certification Defined by American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) The formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes ABNS is an acknowledged leader in recognizing and accrediting RN specialty certification boards. Certification Defined by American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) Certification, as defined by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS), is the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes . Certification involves individuals voluntarily testing themselves against a national standard set via a nationally-recognized certification board’s examination.

More About RN Specialty Certification RNs enter the profession through licensure (authorized to practice across the entire Nursing Practice Act) As RNs progress throughout their careers, specialty practice emerges RNs who want to validate and enhance that specialty practice seek, prepare, and obtain specialty certification More About RN Specialty Certification A license measures safe entry into practice. Certification is obtainment of specialty skills and practice. Nurses validate their mastery of skills, knowledge, and abilities through certification and meet ongoing learning and practice requirements through ongoing recertification. Certified nurses are role models of professional accountability with a commitment to lifelong learning and career advancement.

What is State Licensure v. Certification? Licensure allows you to legally enter practice (one time measurement through NCLEX-RN ©) Certification is voluntary and measures achievement in RN’s specific area of practice Re-certification assures the public that the RN is maintaining competence through knowledge and participation in their specialty What is State Licensure v. Certification? RN licensure measures entry-level competence. While state licensure provides the legal authority for an individual to practice professional nursing, private voluntary certification is obtained through individual specialty nursing certifying organizations and reflects achievement of a standard beyond licensure for specialty nursing practice The process of recertification seeks to assure the public that the certificant has maintained a level of knowledge in the specialty, as well as ongoing participation in activities that support the maintenance of competence in that specialty.

90% of nurse manager respondents preferred hiring certified RNs over non-certified RNs 58% of nurse manager respondents see a positive performance differences in certified nurses 2009 IOM report stated that for RNs to keep their knowledge and skills up to date, the best way to achieve that was through ongoing certification that satisfies CE requirements What the Report Says

Benefits of Hiring Certified RNs Patients and families, employers, and nurses all benefit from certification Certification assures patients that RNs are competent Benefits of Hiring Certified RNs Benefits to Patients Certification provides patients and families the validation that the nurse caring for them has demonstrated experience, knowledge and skills. Increases patient safety and satisfaction.

Benefits of Certification to RNs Validates specific nurse practice knowledge and skills to remain professionally competent in intricate health care environment Improves capacity and use of evidence-based guidelines in nurse practice Advances ability to remain on front edge with emerging technologies and processes Meets challenges of evolving scopes of practice Reinforces professional and career development Benefits of Certification to RNs Certified RNs validate their expertise -- knowledge and skills -- positioning themselves for appropriate recognition. According to studies, RNs whose clinical judgment has been validated through certification believe that they make decisions with greater confidence. Certified RNs also report that certification enabled them to experience personal growth and feel more satisfied in their work. As a voluntary process, specialty certification points to nurses' commitment to career development and dedication to patient care, particularly in ever-evolving health care environment.  Ongoing education and experience reduces improves risk management, optimally preparing the RN to make informed decisions. Some insurers offer discounts on malpractice premiums to certified RNs. Boosts potential for higher salary  as a certified RN.

Why should your workplace support RN Specialty Certification? Generates sense of personal accomplishment Enhances value in a culture that mentors RN’s accomplishments Helps shape certified RNs new, more productive hospital guidelines Boosts competitive edge in health care market for employers who are supportive Why should your workplace support RN Specialty Certification? Benefits to Employers – RN certification and the education required to maintain certification contribute to the creation of an environment of professionalism Certification enhances in the workplace the utilization of evidence-based guidelines into practice. Employer support of education and certification are drivers of nurses' job satisfaction and have been identified as essential elements of recruiting and retaining nurses. Certification is a platform for hospitals to differentiate themselves from competitors by demonstrating to the public that the employer has attracted the most skilled and experienced nursing professionals.

BCEN Certification Project Benefits All Certified RNs Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN®) promotes RN specialty certification as a way to fulfill continuing education (CE) or continuing competence (CC) BCEN supports all RN specialty certifications Five Pilot States Targeted (FL, MO, OR, TX and VA) BCEN Certification Project Benefits All Certified RNs For over two years, BCEN has conducted a Certification project to increase the number of states allowing specialty certification to substitute for continuing education requirements or other continued competence initiatives. As a baseline, BCEN researched the full landscape of regulatory requirements involving RN specialty certification. Since that time, the BCEN project has focused on five pilot states: Florida, Virginia, Texas, Oregon and Missouri. Now BCEN is expanding the project to other states to: -- seek state acceptance of specialty certification for CE/CC requirements; -- encourage employers to support specialty certification; and -- tie the certification project to the IOM Future of Nursing report initiatives. BACKGROUND: The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing develops robust certification exams fostering empowered nurses across the emergency spectrum, who contribute noticeably to patient care, safety and outcomes. The objectives of BCEN certifications are to promote quality emergency nursing, flight nursing, and critical care ground transport nursing by a) establishing the level of knowledge, requirements, and achievement necessary for certification; b) measuring the currency of the attainment and application of a defined body of specific knowledge needed to function at a competent level; c) encouraging continuing education; d) promoting professional development/career advancement; and e) recognizing RNs who meet all requirements of the BCEN certification process.

32 States Recognize RN Specialty Certification for CE/CC AR, DE, FL, GA, IA, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, NC, NE, NH, NM, ND, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV & WY AK, AL, CA, IL, KS, MT, NJ, PA & UT allow only the education leading toward certification to count toward CE/CC 32 States Recognize RN Specialty Certification for CE/CC In total, 21 states provide a pathway for specialty certification to count toward CE requirements. They are: Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Massachusetts (like FL only the education leading toward certification counts for CE requirements), Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey (like FL and MA), New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and West Virginia. Virginia is awaiting final adoption of the rule.

Certification Project Challenges Some states do not mandate CE or CC requirements 15 states have no CE requirements: AZ, CO, CT, HI, IN, ME, MD, MO, MS, NY, OR, RI, SD, VT & WI NC, TN & WY have no CE requirement but do have CC requirements Certification Project Challenges Seventeen states do not have any continuing education requirements in place for RNs: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin. BCEN Certification Project Advocates in MO and OR faced this challenge with the respective state stakeholders (e.g., legislators, Board of Nursing, nurses) not supporting the concept of continuing education requirements. Continued Competence Three states do not have a formal requirement for continuing education, but do have requirements for meeting continuing competence requirements — North Carolina, Tennessee and Wyoming.

To Grow a Specialty Certified Workforce, employer Can Offer . . . Professional development subsidies to motivate RNs to become certified Creation of dedicated study groups to help like-specialty RNs prepare for certification and examinations Recognition of certified RNs in newsletters, promotions, and pay scale To Grow a Specialty Certified Workforce, employer Can Offer . . . University of Pennsylvania nursing professor Matthew McHugh, "who studies health policy and outcomes," noted evidence suggesting that patient outcomes are better when hospitals employ higher proportions of RNs, especially when the nurses have more advanced training. More important, though, he said, is that hospitals foster a culture that encourages employees to get more training, have good communication among nurses, physicians and managers, have enough people to do the work, and provide nurses with the tools they need.

Seeking Further Support & Information {Individual information here} BCEN Contact: Sandra T. Samargis Executive Director Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing Email: ssamargis@bcencertifications.org Phone: 630-352-0812 Seeking Further Support & Information