Credentialing for Public Health Nurses: Personally Valued … But Not Well Recognized

Abstract

These findings provide guidance to public health nursing leaders and inform discussions regarding the development of credentialing systems within the field of public health.

The Value of Certification

“…Certified nurses with other specialty certifications who were evaluated in this study included those having medical/surgical, oncology, and geriatrics certifications. 57 Results of another study showed that nurses who were certified in oncology obtained higher scores on the Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain. Ratings were inconsistent, however, among the staff and supervisory nurses; only the latter group reported differences between certified and noncertified nurses.…”

“…1,7,11,40,[54][55][56] In a survey of more than 11 000 nurses conducted by the ABNS, more than 90% of nurses who were surveyed concurred that certification validated knowledge in their specialty and indicated clinical competence. 11,25,33,34,40,41,53,[57][58][59] In one study, a relationship between certification and knowledge was reported. 11,25,33,34,40,41,53,[57][58][59] In one study, a relationship between certification and knowledge was reported.…”

“…7,11,34,40,43,57,58,61 "Individuals with high degrees of formal and informal power have increased access to job-related power and opportunity structures in the organization. They have suggested that the enhanced empowerment may improve work effectiveness.…”

The Meaning and Value of Certification

“… increased patient confidence in nursing care; greater respect and recognition from the employer, nursing peers, and other health care professionals; the ability to expand professional responsibilities; greater earning potential and professional advancement opportunities; reimbursement for the certification examination; and increased collaborative practice …”

Recent Advances in Public Health Systems Research in the United States

“…Reviews of more than 90 years of effort to measure, describe, and improve public health practice and systems performance (82,94) show that many of the same basic challenges for measuring systems performance persist. In addition, new and re-emphasized priorities in public health practice, such as voluntary agency accreditation (46,58,72,91), workforce credentialing (12,16,23,68), quality improvement (74,75,85), and service value measurement (36,43,66), will increase expectations for PHSR science to integrate and understand effects of these efforts at multiple systems levels.…”