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General Information
Certification? Why do it?
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Certification Connections, Issue 3, Vol 1, Fall’99,
Certified Nurses Are the Leaders of the Next Generation by Kimmith
M. Jones, RN, MS, CCRN - Chairperson, AACN Board of Directors |
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The decision
to pursue certification requires considerable thought, and the
challenges of preparing and actually taking a test can be stressful. So,
why do we do it? To assure our patients that we have the knowledge
and skills to understand the intricacies of their disease
process within our specialty area and that we can help to create their
safe passage through the healthcare system. Nurses also
complete the certification process for personal reasons: pride,
respect, professional development and a sense of accomplishment.
Certified nurses are enthusiastic, motivated and energized.
They offer many suggestions to improve performance, and become leaders
within their units and within the institutions where they work. |
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Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, Volume 21(3),
May/June 2002, p 120. The Importance of Certification by Vickie
A. Miracle, RN, EdD, CCRN, CCNS, CCRC, Editor |
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Certification implies professionalism.
Certification is a sign of expertise and knowledge in a
specialty area by our peers and the public. Certification shows evidence
of professional growth and life-long learning
for our own benefit and for the benefit of our patients. Certification
is the natural evolution in our career and demonstrates a level of
commitment. |
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In addition to the above, you will also receive 30
continuing education hours from Nursing Education and specialty
certification differential pay (see Section on
Specialty Certification Differentials). |
Preparing for certification…where do I start?
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What type of certification do you want? See Which is the right certification for me? |
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How will you prepare? |
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Get into the mindset of “Prepare, Don’t Procrastinate!”
The sooner you take the test after reviewing, the greater is the chance
for passing |
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Studying
solo or with a group, attending review classes, and doing
sample tests are the most widely practiced ways to prepare for the exam.
Majority of those who have passed the exam used a combination of at
least 2 methods. |
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a. |
Inquire
from your nurse manager/assistant nurse manager or certification
ambassador about activities on your unit which can help you prepare for
certification.
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b. |
Visit
http://nursing.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/education/certification.shtml to see
course offerings and activities of other units related to
certification that you may want to attend also. |
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c. |
Call
Nursing Education (x31993) or contact your nurse educator for questions
about certification prep (e.g review courses, review materials that can
be checked out, etc). |
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d. |
Up to 12
hours of the 40 annual educational leave hours may be utilized as test
preparation time. Ed leave hours are granted in up to 8-hr increments
(refer to ed leave policy for details: http://manuals.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/NursingDept/AdminPolicies/index.shtml). |
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e. |
Use test
blueprint (usually posted online by sponsoring organization). Note
percentages that make up test, e.g. 30% cardiac, 17% respiratory, etc.
Concentrate on areas that make up largest section of test. |
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f. |
Practice,
practice, practice! Get you hands on as many sample tests as you can. |
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