Design and Outcome of a Certification Preparation Program for Outpatient Nurses

Abstract

This article presents the design, implementation, and outcomes of a certification preparation program for nurses working in an outpatient clinic. A nurse educator designed curriculum using the Certified Breast Care Nurse test blueprint. Nurse administrators provided the resources and the staff coverage to allow all staff members to attend the sessions without disruption to patient care. This outpatient center has achieved and sustained 100% certification among eligible nurses over the past 5 years.

Strategies to Increase Nursing Certification

“…The decline in retention could not be associated with specific organizational change, but the acute care nurses expressed the need to be recognized and rewarded. Evidence suggests that celebrating the success of certified nurses can motivate noncertified nurses to become certified (Johnson et al, 2015). Hence, we offered the certified RN badge tag to certified nurses' name badges to increase visibility and motivate other noncertified nurses.…”

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 …”

“…34 In addition, nursing specialty certification contributes to staff development, decreases nurse vacancy and attrition rates, and improves personnel satisfaction. 17,18,35 PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL REWARDS Preparing for and taking a specialty certification examination is an individual effort influenced by personal values and motivation. 12 Motivation can be intrinsic, for which the rewards are internal and intangible benefits (eg, a feeling of personal accomplishment), or extrinsic, for which the rewards are tangible benefits (eg, a salary increase, advanced placement).…”