Transcript The Nuts & Bolts of Certification - A How

You Know It…………Now Show It………….
The Nuts & Bolts
of
Certification
A How-to Guide
Nursing Education and Professional Development
Council
Nursing Education and Professional
Development Council
The Council has
collaboratively put
this information
together to assist
Loyola Nurses
on the “road” to
certification.
Personal Statements About
Certification
Certification….
• “Gave me confidence in my practice.”
• “Helped me go towards my master’s degree.”
• “I wanted to be certified to validate my
knowledge. I studied maternal-newborn for 6
months. I was a nurse for 23 years and I
wanted to learn the latest trends. Being
validated by a recognized body was what I
needed for me to feel good when I taught new
grads.”
Organizational Goals for
Certification
To increase the number of certified RNs by 1% of
eligible nurses during the Magnet certification
period, system-wide.
As of August 2012, the number of certified RNs
has exceeded this goal !!!!!
This is the goal set by the Nursing Education and
Professional Development Council in accordance
with standards required by ANCC Magnet.
Become a more active member
of your profession….
• Check out a conference. If you would like
inspiration to be the best nurse that you can
be, participate in a conference in your
specialty.
• Networking – from unit based to local,
regional and national groups.
• Participate in unit based projects.
• Review evidence-based practices within your
field.
• Become a certified professional.
Step 1- Fact Finding Mission
• Take a look at the MAGNET list of approved
certifications:
http://www.nursecredentialing.org
> Magnet>Certification>Selected Examples of National Certification for Submission on DIF
• Determine what certification applies to your area of
expertise.
• Determine requirements for certification in your
specialty. Check out the specialty’s website for this
information.
• Consider joining certifying body, if available–
i.e. AORN, AACN, ANA.
Step 2 – Identify Resources
• Contact Unit Certification Representative – There is
a representative for every unit in the hospital to help
you on the road to certification.
• Contact other certified nurses for suggestions,
helpful hints, suggested review courses and materials.
• Encourage your colleagues to take a review course –
and get it sponsored on campus.
• Explore possibilities for group study.
• Find a test buddy.
Step 3 - Preparation
• Begin with an assessment test if
available to identify strengths and
weaknesses.
• What areas do you need to concentrate
your studies?
• What kind of preparation will you need?
Step 4 – Obtain Resources
• Get the books, tapes, review tests, etc.
• Register for an online course if needed.
• Make a study timeline.
Step 5 – Set A Date
Commit to take the test by a certain
target date.
Step 6 – Final Details
• Make it a goal on your performance
evaluation.
• Certification makes you eligible to apply
for Clinical Ladder 4.
• Study……study….study.
Step 7 - Testing
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Then go for it…take the test.
Some tests are pencil and paper.
Some tests are computerized.
Some give you a choice…
Step 8 - Reimbursement
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Apply for stipend
Up to $300 reimbursement for
- Review course material
-Testing fee
- National conference
•
http://www.luhs.org/feature/nursing/develop.htm
Summary
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Start with your fact-finding mission
Identify resources
Preparation
Obtain resources
Commit to take the test
Set target date
Study
Take the test
Check out Loyola’s Nursing
Certification Resources
Please contact any Nursing Education and Professional
Development council member for any assistance with
certification.
Nursing Education and Professional Development Council
Certification Committee:
Diane Stace [email protected]
Sharon McHugh [email protected]
Lisa Coy [email protected]