title: Addressing barriers to achieving nursing certification: development of a certification achievement program on a medical-surgical unit.
abstract: Nursing certification is recognized as advanced competency and knowledge beyond basic preparation, thus empowering nurses to contribute to improved outcomes by demonstrating expertise in their specialties. It has been recognized that nurses do not seek certification because of identified barriers. Through a structured Certification Achievement Program that reduced barriers, a cohort of nurses was able to achieve certification in medical-surgical nursing.
authors.affiliation: Lori Perlstein, DNP, RN-BC, NEA-BC, is Director of Professional Practice, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, New Jersey. Rosemary L. Hoffmann, PhD, RN, is Associate Professor and Coordinator, Clinical Nurse Leaders Program, Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Judy Lindberg, MPH, RN, CPHQ, is Vice President-Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Executive, Saint Anthony Community Hospital, Bon Secours Charity Health System, Warwick, New York. Denise Petras, DNP, RN-BC, is Director, Organizational Development, Nursing Education and Research, and Magnet Program Director, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perlstein
authors.forename: Rosemary L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petras
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D000069469:Medical-Surgical Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D009518:New York; D014481:United States