Addressing Barriers to Achieving Nursing Certification

Abstract

Nursing certification is recognized as advanced competency and knowledge beyond basic preparation, thus empowering nurses to contribute to improved outcomes by demonstrating expertise in their specialties. It has been recognized that nurses do not seek certification because of identified barriers. Through a structured Certification Achievement Program that reduced barriers, a cohort of nurses was able to achieve certification in medical-surgical nursing.

The Meaning and Value of Certification

“…In addition, nursing specialty certification contributes to staff development, decreases nurse vacancy and attrition rates, and improves personnel satisfaction …”

Nurse leader certification preparation: how are confidence levels impacted?

“…Additionally, nurses cited a lack of access to a certification preparation course influenced their willingness to sit for a certification examination (Perlstein et al . ).…”

“…Other areas directly impacted by an increase in nursing certifications include a decrease in turnover and vacancy rates (Perlstein et al . ), both of which are heavily influenced by nursing leadership.…”

“…Obtaining certifications among nurses has been shown to have positive outcomes on fellow staff as well as patients. Increasing the percentage of certified nurses decreases fall rates, mortality rates and length of stays for patients (Perlstein et al 2014). While this typically applies to certifications of those nurses at the bedside, nurse leaders can impact each of these areas as well.…”

“…While this typically applies to certifications of those nurses at the bedside, nurse leaders can impact each of these areas as well. Other areas directly impacted by an increase in nursing certifications include a decrease in turnover and vacancy rates (Perlstein et al 2014), both of which are heavily influenced by nursing leadership.…”