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
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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
₁
performance difference in certified nurses.
• Peers
• More than 80% of people agree that certification promotes
₂
recognition from peers and other health professionals.
• Public
• 73% of patients are more likely to select a hospital that employs a
high percentage
of nurses with an additional specialty
₃
certification.
Certification vs. Certificate
Do you know the difference?
Certification
vs.
• Generally covers comprehensive,
broad-based scope of practice
• Strict eligibility criteria and a
solid knowledge of practice
• Complies with national
standards, approved by thirdparty entity
• Portable, nationally recognized,
earned credential
Certificate
• 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.
• Primary focus is on
assessment of one’s
knowledge, skills, and
competencies
• Ongoing process that requires
continuing education or reexamination to maintain
certification
Certificate
• 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
₄
credentials designate these certifications.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Rewards
Intrinsic Rewards
• Personal and professional accomplishment
– Nurses who are certified have higher perceptions of empowerment and
therefore improve work effectiveness.₅
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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
Extrinsic Rewards
• Increases employer recognition and appreciation
• 74% of nurse managers gave one or more incentives to
₇
promote and recognize specialty nursing certification.
• 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
₈
accountants.
Patient Benefits
• The more knowledgeable the nurses, the better they
can recognize problems and intervene appropriately
₉
resulting in fewer medical errors.
• Strengthens belief in nurse’s competency
• Increases trust in organization’s credibility
• Ensures optimal health outcomes
Employer Benefits
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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.
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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
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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)
http://www.certifiednursesday.org/
Certification is a critical component in the
healthcare environment, providing benefits
to nurses, patients, and employers.
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:
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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 02062
(800) 434-INCC • Fax (781) 440-9409
Find exam and recertification information, exam study
materials, application forms and nurse and employer
resources at www.incc1.org
To request a free copy of the CRNI® Bulletin, the
comprehensive guide to the certification process, e-mail
hannah.lysak@ins1.org
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):36-46.
2. Niebuhr B, Biel M. The value of specialty nursing certification. Nursing Outlook. 2007;55(4):176-181.
3. Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Survey.
http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Docs/harrispollrpt.pdf. 2002. Accessed on April 5, 2011.
4. Cary AH. Certified registered nurses: results of the study of the certified workforce. American Journal of
Nursing. 2001;101(1):44-52.
5. 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):277-283.
6. Mee CL. Salary survey. Nursing. 2006;36(10):46-51.
7. 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):36-46.
8. Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Survey.
http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Docs/harrispollrpt.pdf. 2002. Accessed on April 5, 2011.
9. Redd ML, Alexander JW. Does certification mean better performance? Nursing Management.
1997;28(2):45-49.
10. Hader Salary Survey 2005. Nursing Management. 2005;36(7):18-27.