title: Certification. Hospital versus national standards.
abstract: "Certification" and "credential" are frequently used terms in nursing. How these terms are used and what they mean to nursing practice is the focus of this article. Definitions, history, and application of these concepts are explored. Recommendations are made that a hospital not assume responsibility for the granting of certification or credentials to nursing staff members. Nurses and nursing administrators are urged to support nationally recognized certification programs.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gracey
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hagle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hauff
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Johnson-Walker
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Smiley
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D006801:Humans; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011361:Professional Competence