1. WHY EMPLOYERS SHOULD SUPPORT Specialty Certifications for RNs

2. 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)

3.  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

4.  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?

5.  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

6.  Patients and families, employers, and nurses all benefit from certification  Certification assures patients that RNs are competent BENEFITS OF HIRING CERTIFIED RNS

7.  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

8.  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?

9.  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

10.  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

11.  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

12.  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...

13. {Individual information here} BCEN Contact: Kathleen Ream Principal, KAR Associates, Inc. Phone: 571-213-5662 Email: kream@karassociates.com SEEKING FURTHER SUPPORT & INFORMATION