Recognition of Nursing Excellence
Nurses today need to validate their expertise and
experience.
It is a personal responsibility of all nurses, as
professionals, to continue to obtain knowledge
and skills.
Nursing specialty certification can do that and a
whole lot more….
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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.”
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Certification serves as an important indicator to
patients and employers that a nurse:
is qualified
is competent
has met rigorous requirements1
Shows a high level of dedication to continuing
education and ensures exposure to latest developments
Validates nursing experience
As the only nationally accredited certification
for infusion nurses, earning the prestigious
CRNI® warrants the recognition and respect of
patients, peers, and employers and
demonstrates a dedication to the pursuit of
lifelong learning and delivery of quality health
care.
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Employers
 Nearly 90% of nurse managers prefer hiring certified nurses
over noncertified nurses.
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2
Peers
 More than 80% of people agree that certification promotes
recognition from peers and other health professionals.
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3
Public
 73% percent of patients are more likely to select a hospital
that employs a high percentage of nurses with an additional
specialty certification.4
 Consumers of health care can more easily identify competent
people.1
Do you know the difference?
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Generally covers
comprehensive, broadbased 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
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Usually open to anyone,
both newcomers and
professionals
Generally narrowly
focused, covers subset of
knowledge
No third-party
involvement; administered
and created by and within
specific organization
Awarded certificate, only
recognized within specific
organization
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Primary focus is on
assessment of one’s
knowledge, skills, and
competencies
Ongoing process that
requires continuing
education or reexamination to maintain
certification
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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 United States 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.5
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Rewards

Personal and professional accomplishment
 Nurses who are certified have higher perceptions of
empowerment and therefore improve work
effectiveness.6
 97.2% of certified nurses reported an enhanced
feeling of personal accomplishment with obtaining
their specialty certification.7
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Demonstrates commitment to the nursing
profession
Verifies level of clinical competence
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Increases professional autonomy
Increases compensation
 Nurses who reported being certified in a specialty
made $9,200 more annually than nurses who
weren’t certified.8

Opens doors to professional growth
opportunities

77% of respondents reported that certification
enabled them to experience personal growth.2
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Increases employer recognition and
appreciation
 74% of nurse managers gave one or more
incentives to promote and recognize specialty
nursing certification.2
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Promotes recognition from peers and other
health care professionals
Strengthens patient confidence

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.9
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72% of certified nurses
reported one or more
benefits of certification,
including a decreased
number of errors or
adverse events
Strengthens belief in
nurse’s competency
Increases trust in
organization’s
credibility
10
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Responds to public preference and demand
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Increases patient confidence
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Maintains a stable and highly skilled workforce
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Sets standard when recruiting new nurses
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Reduces liability
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Decreases in-house training time
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Shows support for continued education
Demonstrates commitment to professional
development
Influence to apply for distinction from notable
health care organizations such as American
Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet
Recognition® Program
Highest and most prestigious international distinction a health
care 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 nonMagnet facilities.
10
Reward your Certified Nurses by:
 Offering a bonus or increased salary to certified nurses.
 Providing reimbursement for certification expenses.
 Supply funding for study materials and continuing
education requirements.
Recognize your Certified Nurses by:
Mailing letter of congratulations and appreciation.
Publicly displaying certificates.
Creating a “Wall of Distinction.”
Organizing celebratory luncheons for all certified nurses.
Including earned credentials on nurses’ badges, business
cards, and other published material.
Celebrating Certified Nurses Day ™ on March 19.
 Annual day to recognize certified nurses
Created by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) & American Nurses Association (ANA)
http://www.certifiednursesday.org/
Specialty certification is a vital component in the health
care environment due to the benefits it provides to
nurses, patients, and employers.
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Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC) offers
the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI®)
credential—the only nationally recognized and accredited
certification for infusion nursing.
INCC is accredited by the Accreditation Board for
Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and by National
Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
INCC is committed to providing a program of highquality, supporting continuing infusion nursing
education and research and promoting optimal patient
outcomes.
incc1.org
(800) 434 - 4622
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315 Norwood Park South • Norwood, MA 02062
(800) 434-4622 • 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, email incc@incc1.org
1. Redd ML, Alexander JW. Does certification mean better performance? Nursing
Management. 1997;28(2):45-49.
2. Stromberg MF, Niebuhr B, Prevost S, et al. Specialty certification more than a title.
Nursing Management. 2005;36(5):36-46.
3. Niebuhr B, Biel M. The value of specialty nursing certification. Nursing Outlook.
2007;55(4):176-181.
4. Harris Interactive, Inc., American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Survey.
http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Docs/harrispollrpt.pdf. 2002. Accessed
on April 22, 2014.
5. Cary AH. Certified registered nurses: results of the study of the certified workforce.
American Journal of Nursing. 2001;101(1):44-52.
6. 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.
7. Gaberson KB, Schroeter K, Killen AR, Valentine WA. The perceived value of
certification by certified perioperative nurses. Nursing Outlook. 2003;51(6): 272-276.
8. Mee CL. Salary survey. Nursing. 2006;36(10):46-51.
9. 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.
10. Hader Salary Survey 2005. Nursing Management. 2005;36(7):18-27.