Leveraging NDNQI Benchmarks to Achieve Board Certification

Purpose:
This community hospital 24-bed neuro/stroke unit worked closely to encourage empowerment through education and engagement. The hospital was trying to attain ANCC Magnet accreditation, and achieving a higher rate of certification was a goal for this nurse leader and her staff.

Significance:
Nursing certification gives nurses the means to practice in a way that improves patient outcomes. Becoming board certified can bring personal and professional recognition to nurses as well as professional opportunities and increased salaries.

Strategy and Implementation:
Utilizing the theory of self-determination as an approach to human motivation, the nurse leader utilized the NDNQI database benchmark for certifications to serve as one of the many ways to inspire nurses to succeed in this test of competence. This challenge to perform above the mean helped the team reach their goal.

Evaluation:
The implementation of these tactics resulted in an increased certification rate of nurses from 8.33% to 42% on this inpatient hospital unit. Communication of the NDNQI board certification data and challenging the staff to perform above the mean within this database proved to be successful.

Implications for Practice:
Although more research is needed to show the benefits of certification, it is strongly believed that it improves the outcomes of patients and increases confidence in nurses' abilities. The late adapters in the unit saw these benefits and have registered for the nurse certification exam in the fall.