Promoting Professionalism through Certification

Purpose:
Despite the apparent benefits of certification, many units struggle to increase the rate of certification among RNs. Transformational leaders can create an environment that supports and sustains a Magnet culture through strategies to increase certified nurses.

Significance:
Certification is associated with excellent professional practice and professionalism. Benefits of nurse certification include: increased knowledge, improvements in patient safety, and an enhanced professional image. In 2008, there were no certified nurses in this unit.

Strategy and Implementation:
The first strategy was to increase the awareness of the benefits of certification. Posters were placed in the unit break room with information regarding organizationally sponsored review sessions, inclusion criteria for taking the exam, and study resources. The second strategy was for staff to attend a review course. In addition, two study sessions were offered that focused on clarifying test content. Further attempts to increase awareness and knowledge regarding the test were done by the CNS, who reviewed positive patient and professional outcomes for nurses with certifications. The third strategy was to set goals for taking the exam within 90 days of the review sessions. The final strategy included a reward structure for nurses who pass the exam. For example, all nurses who passed the exam were acknowledged publicly on a Wall of Fame.

Evaluation:
Based on the above interventions, a high of 19% of qualified nurses were certified in 2009. Certification rates on this unit now benchmark within the top quartile (NDNQI) of Magnet hospitals.

Implications for Practice:
Transformational leadership and structural empowerment supports a culture of certification and motivates significant increases in the number of certified nurses.