title: Perceptions of structural empowerment: differences between nationally certified perinatal nurses and perinatal nurses who are not nationally certified.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there has been previous research linking perceptions of empowerment to specialty certification among critical care nurses, no research in this area has been conducted among nationally certified perinatal nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparative quantitative survey design was used. Participants included 80 perinatal registered nurses from one community hospital in New York.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Registered nurses who were nationally certified in a perinatal specialty had higher total empowerment scores and higher scores on five of the six subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the results of previous studies focused on differences in empowerment among nationally certified nurses and nurses without national certification. Because much of the preparation for certification is done within continuing education, nurse leaders must be cognizant of the value of certification and must develop and implement programs to support certification in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, Manhasset, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Ketly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Samedy
authors.forename: Mary T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Quinn Griffin
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leask Capitulo
authors.forename: Joyce J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires