title: Certifiably excellent.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to provide a road map for individuals and chapters to use in beginning a certification program. The Heart of the Piedmont Chapter used the mission, vision, and values of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses to create an environment of safety and expert care for patients and their families. The journey began when our chapter realized that there were only a few certified nurses in our chapter and hospital. As a chapter, we decided to use a survey to determine interest in certification. We invited all interested nurses to attend a certification meeting. Eighty nurses attended. Collaborating with nursing administration, we held study groups, brought in a national speaker, and assisted with payment of the certification examination. This article describes how 1 chapter can make a positive difference in the lives of nurses and patients. Although our chapter's journey is ongoing, we hope to share our strategies for success with others.
authors.affiliation: Moses Cone Health System, 4201 Jeffrey Lane Pt, High Point, NC 27265, USA. tealsrus@northstate.net
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teal
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009042:Motivation; D012956:Societies, Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States