Lifelong Learning and Nursing Certificate

As I gain a few years of experience, I can clearly see the difference that certification makes in my practice. I’m a complicated practice nurse and nurse practitioner because of the necessities to take care of my certification. For me, lifelong learning includes attending skilled conferences, taking skilled development courses in journals, and contributing to the skilled literature by presenting at conferences and writing articles for peer-reviewed publications. Experience is undoubtedly vital; nonetheless, specialty certification demonstrates commitment to the career and patients.

Why should nurses get certified?

Healthcare is rapidly evolving, and nurses must spend money on lifelong learning to take care of knowledge and supply the newest, evidence-based care. In accordance with the American Nurses Credentialing Center, nursing specialty certification allows nurses to reveal their expertise and validate their knowledge to employers and patients.

For those who’re unsure if certification is something you need to consider, don’t hesitate. Nurses provide the very best quality care to their patients, and the correlation between registered nurses and patient outcomes is obvious, including lower rates of falls, medical errors, and healthcare-related infections (Boyle, 2022; Halm, 2021). Certification also supports nurses’ skilled development and promotes satisfaction, in addition to providing stability within the organization by improving retention (Edwin, 2023).

How can a nurse turn into certified?

Passing a national standardized nursing exam is required to acquire certification. There are various boards that certify nursing specialties. A very good technique to start your certification journey is to review available certifications and crucial requirements. Create a study plan that features certification review resources tied to your exam plan, in addition to loads of practice questions. Start with a comprehensive test to see where your knowledge gaps are, then prioritize those areas as you learn. Taking and repeating practice tests can enable you consolidate your content knowledge and apply it in practice.

Why does certification matter?

When patients come to a health care organization, they expect the very best quality care. Competencies are vital, however the value of specialised knowledge, skills and experience in a given specialty can’t be emphasized enough. Moreover, health care organizations are required to measure patient outcomes in an effort to receive reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other third-party payers. That is where certification is available in – it matters for patients, colleagues and the institutions through which we work.

Coelho P. (2020). The connection between nurse certification and patient clinical outcomes: A scientific review of the literature. (1), E1–E5. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000397

Edwina H. S. (2023). Strategies for increasing your nursing certification level: progressive care certification for nurses – the trail to success. , (5), E112–E118. https://doi.org/10.1097/NND.0000000000000874

Halma M.A. (2021). Specialty certification: a path to improved performance. (2), 156–160. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2021569