The value of specialty nursing certification.
The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) undertook a national study to validate nurses' perceptions, values, and behaviors related to certification. A Web-based survey was developed and disseminated to certified nurses, noncertified nurses, and nurse managers. Of the 11,427 respondents, 8,615 (75%) identified themselves as certified nurses, and 2,812 (25%) were noncertified nurses. Of these, 1,608 respondents (14%) held the position of Nurse Manager. Using the Perceived Value of Certification Tool (PVCT), certified and noncertified nurses showed a high level of agreement with the value statements on certified practice. Nurse Managers bolstered these perceptions with their correspondingly high rate of agreement on the certification value statements. Additionally, the study examined barriers and challenges to certification, incentives to certification, the impact of certification on lost workdays and nurse retention. This study took an important step in furthering understanding of nursing certification and the implications for health care organizations, nursing certification boards, and certified and noncertified nurses.
Niebuhr
Bonnie
B
American Board of Nursing Specialties, Aurora, OH, USA.
Biel
Melissa
M
D000041:Absenteeism; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D011361:Professional Competence; D012201:Reward; D012944:Social Support; D012956:Societies, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D013044:Specialty Boards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014146:Training Support; D014481:United States