Specialty Identification Case Study

Designing an effective strategy to promote specialty certification for emergency room nurses at a level one city hospital (DRAFT)

Problem Statement

In order for one to receive a license to practice as an entry-level nurse in the US, it is mandatory to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam means one has met the “minimum” requirements essential to practice safely and effectively as a registered nurse (RN). Thereafter, nurses develop and increase their level of skills and proficiency as they get more clinical experience. One way to do this is by sitting for a specialty nursing certification exam. Specialty certification is a process where a credentialing agency validates nurses’ qualifications

In one study, patients cared for in units with higher numbers of certified nurses had lower rates of falls (Boyle, Cramer, Potter & Staggs, 2015). Another study found improved patient outcomes for 30-day mortality rates and failure to rescue with nurses who have baccalaureate education and certifications (Blegen, 2012).

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) reports that only 185,628 out of 2.8 million RNs are certified (HRSA, 2013, p. vii). According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) only 30,850 out of the 180,000 emergency room nurses have the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification (ACEP, 2016). Nursing has many challenges to overcome within the realm of professional advancement and promoting specialty certification among staff

Purpose Statement

The proposed research’s purpose is to describe how a nursing education department will design an effective strategy to promote specialty certification for emergency room nurses at a level one city hospital. The ultimate goal is to provide a more educated, recognized, and empowered nursing staff to effectively meet the healthcare needs of emergency room patients especially those with trauma. The long-term objective is to utilize the study findings in developing a sustainable program to promote and support registered nurses within the hospital system to achieve nursing certification in other fields, not just emergency nursing but also in critical care, pediatrics, and geriatric care.

Statement of Research