Financial Incentives. Exam Fee Reimbursement. Continuing Education...
These are just a few of the ways employers can support certification and recognize their
Certified Pediatric Nurses. Employers who reward their nurses for making a commitment to certification deserve
recognition too, so we've launched the PNCB Employer Spotlight.
Congratulations to the following hospitals for all they do for their nurses! We hope you enjoy their stories,
and you can share yours at feedback@pncb.org.
•The Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics (Kansas City, MO)
•Children's Hospital Boston (Boston, MA)
•The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)
•Kosair Children's Hospital (Louisville, KY)
•Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital (Baton Rouge, LA)
•Children's Hospital of Orange County (Orange, CA)
Children's Hospital Boston started as a 20-bed facility in 1869 and has grown to become one of the largest, most prestigious pediatric medical centers in the United States,
earning top spots on lists like U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Children's Hospitals issue. In addition to providing a complete range of health care services for children from
birth through 21 years of age, Children's offers an Advanced Fetal Care Center, which can begin interventions at 15 weeks gestation.
Today, Children's has over 1,500 nursing and clinical personnel, and 289 are CPNs. Nurses are offered an incredible teaching environment where they can
learn the latest treatments, protocols and technologies. Children's offers ongoing educational and advancement opportunities along with a variety of
innovative programs designed to help RNs reach their goals.
For Children's nurses — and every member of their team — a culture of respect is paramount. Here, decisions are shared, not handed down.
Ideas and concerns are heard and acted upon. To learn more about the supportive environment Children's offers, we talked with Staff Development Specialist Wendy Ouellette, BSN, RN, CPON.
Professional Development and Continuing Education.
Children's doesn't just talk about lifelong learning... This hospital makes ongoing educational opportunities for its RNs a reality with conference and tuition reimbursement,
Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses contact hour offerings, Learning Management System contact hours, and unit-based education offerings. Children's also provides
leadership coaching, career development and support for transfers within the institution.
Celebrating Nurses' Stories.
Each year at Nurses Week, Children's RNs and Clinical Assistants submit clinical narratives that illustrate their practice to a review committee for publication. The committee chooses the best of these for each level of nurse, and they are published in a booklet along with excerpts from all the other submissions. The winners then present their exemplars at Nurses Week festivities.
Recognition and Empowerment.
When nurses achieve certification, their accomplishment is recognized in articles in unit- and program-based newsletters. Their CNO sends each certified nurse an annual
recognition letter to acknowledge commitment to certification. Credentials are listed on name badges, and Walls of Distinction are presented during skills fairs and Nurses Week.
Children's has a Shared Governance Model that maintains and enhances nursing practice through empowerment and point of service decision-making.
"I would like to take this opportunity to personally congratulate all of our nurses who have obtained certification in pediatric nursing," adds Eileen Sporing, MSN, RN, Senior Vice President
Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. "The nursing department at Children's Hospital Boston believes that certification in the specialty practice of pediatric nursing
serves to better meet the needs of the increasingly complex patients we care for each day. Certification is an important credential that demonstrates meeting nationally recognized standards."
Just a few of the CPNs from Children's Hospital Boston's Surgical Programs (10 South).
Sharing Information about Certification.
Certification is identified as a goal for new hires after CPN® eligibility requirements are reached. In addition to monthly skills fairs, Children's intranet links to the PNCB website. Posters, brochures and postcards are distributed throughout the hospital.
Preparing RNs for the Exam.
A review course is offered three times a year at Children's at no cost to their RNs. Individual units purchase review materials, which are accessed through a lending library system.
Staff Development also purchases additional materials and places them in the central hospital library. Wendy adds, "Certification champions who work at the unit level mentor colleagues interested in taking the exam." Being able to talk to someone who has gone through the process has proven to be a great source of support for RNs wishing to become CPNs at this facility.
CPNs from Children's Hospital Boston's Medicine Patient Services (9 East).
On the day of this photo, all of the nurses working on 9 East, including the
nurse educator and manager, were CPN® certified.
Bringing the Exam to Their RNs.
Children's hosts the CPN® On-site Exam several times each year. In fact, they brought the exam to Boston nine times in 2008!
Financial Support for the Exam.
Because Children's greatly values certification, RNs are reimbursed for certification in specialty areas. Children's recently became one of the first hospitals to join the PNCB's new "No Pass, No Pay" Institutional Competency Assessment Plan (ICAP™).
Wendy shares, "It was the right thing to do for the nurses in these economic times." Those interested in certification are able to sit for the CPN® exam at no out-of-pocket expense.
The hospital is invoiced after a nurse passes. If unsuccessful, the nurse can re-test up to two times in a 12-month period. "The feedback from staff is that they are thrilled, both with not having to front money for the exam and having less anxiety about failing the exam."
Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your hospital's story... and thanks to the nursing staff and leadership at Children's for the amazing things they have accomplished!
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The PNCB was proud to nominate Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) Children's Hospital of Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the 2007 American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Advocacy.
With over 200 children's hospitals in the United States, what makes OLOL stand out?
Under the leadership of Nicole Telhiard, Director of Nursing, at least
one third of the eligible direct patient care RNs at OLOL Children's Hospital are Certified Pediatric Nurses.
With a staff of 150, this makes for a sizable number of nurses who have taken
their commitment to pediatric nursing to the next level. Equally impressive was OLOL's
policy of reimbursing 80% of the exam application fee upon passing. And for nurses with limited financial resources,
the Children's Miracle Network education fund will pay the application fee upfront. Review courses are offered
at the hospital at no charge to RNs to help them prepare for exams.
At OLOL, specialty nursing certification is a criterion for advancement up the clinical ladder, and nurses
are offered paid "workshop time" to attend continuing education programs, with many opportunities for
CE hosted onsite. Last summer alone over 38 classes were offered, which gave
CPNs wanting to fulfill CE Recertification options in October a convenient way to earn these contact hours.
OLOL is committed to financial incentives as well, with a salary differential of $1.00 per hour for
nurses who earn and maintain certification.
Recognition is on-going at OLOL: Plaques displaying the names of CPNs are publicly displayed with pride in high-visibility areas of the
hospital, and credentials are listed on nametags. CPNs are often asked what the initials by their names mean; this opens the door for
discussion with the public about the significance of certification. The names of newly certified nurses are published in Pedi-Patter, the Children's Hospital newsletter,
and the names of all certified nurses are published in a program brochure during Nurses Week. We were also pleased to see that two Certified Pediatric Nurses
were recently honored on the OLOL website feature Profiles in Nursing Excellence.
It's plain to see that this is an employer who continues to support nurses long after they pass the initial exam. Here, certification is valued and
rewarded regularly, publicly, and in tangible ways. And this philosophy is imparted to the next generation of OLOL nurses;
as Children's Hospital staff visit surrounding nursing schools to talk about pediatric nursing,
they share with students their belief that certification is the hallmark of a nursing specialty. We applaud the
nursing leadership at Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital for their commitment to certification.
Your hospital truly deserves to be in the first PNCB Employer Spotlight!
Since opening its doors in 1964, Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in Orange, California has provided the highest quality medical care to children.
Their regional health system includes a state-of-the-art main hospital facility in the City of Orange, a hospital-within-a-hospital
in Mission Viejo, and five community clinics, plus over 100 additional programs and services. With admissions growing by 90% over
the last eight years, CHOC and CHOC at Mission have a combined rank as the 15th busiest children's hospital in the country... and 65 of their nurses are CPNs®! Here's why:
Support for the Exam.
We spoke with Donna Timmerman, RN, BSN, CPN, Clinical Educator
for CHOC's Med/Surg and Short Stay Units, to find out what makes her employer stand out from the crowd.
First and foremost, CHOC offers 100% reimbursement of the exam cost for those who pass. Secondly,
nurses receive two paid education days so that they can attend a free two-day review course on-site.
CHOC also makes sure nurses can attend the review course by increasing staff on the days it's held,
plus staff who take the review course are able to schedule themselves one day less during this week so that
they are not in class two days in addition to working their full schedules.
It's also important to note that CHOC brings the CPN® Exam to their nurses
through our On-site Testing Program. Taking the exam in a familiar location helps reduce test anxiety and studying together builds camaraderie among colleagues.
A Variety of Resources.
Donna shared that CHOC nurses receive a free workbook during the review course, and
current references on pediatric nursing are available to staff on each of the units. CHOC also offers over 100
computerized self-learning modules that staff can access 24/7. Another great resource is the hospital library.
Nearly 300 full-text journals are available, plus books and a large collection of web
links in medicine and health care. Staff can use this excellent resource in person or online.
Continuing Education.
Throughout the year, CHOC supports the professional development and
continuing education of its nurses through numerous educational opportunities.
Staff can advance their skills and knowledge while earning CEUs through classes in a broad range of areas and specialties
including orthopedics, cardiology, neuroscience, palliative care, evidence based practice and family centered care.
CHOC also offers monthly Clinical Grand Rounds in which nurses can share their expertise with colleagues. Nurses who can't attend
can still access the filmed lectures through CHOC's Instant Health Line via television or computer.
Plus CHOC's Visiting Professor Program brings in nursing leaders to speak to staff about the latest trends and nursing practices.
All employees have access to CHOC's Schoolhouse through the hospital's intranet. Schoolhouse is a tremendous resource where
nurses can find an educational calendar of upcoming events and conferences as well as information on college programs
in the area and scholarship info. Certification is highlighted on CHOC's intranet as well, with direct links to certifying bodies
like the PNCB, so staff can find out more about the importance of certification and how to earn theirs.
CHOC further supports continuing education by paying the costs for nurses to attend conferences in
their specialized area. They also promote advanced education and certification by offering a generous tuition reimbursement program.
Documentation of a current national certification or a Bachelors of Science in nursing or a related health field is required to participate in CHOC's clinical ladder. Nurses already holding a BSN
receive additional clinical ladder points for earning certification.
Keeping Staff Informed.
CHOC does a great job of promoting any upcoming On-site CPN® Exams.
PNCB posters with exam brochures are displayed on each unit, and when speaking to staff about certification,
nurses are directed to the PNCB website for details concerning the exam, like content, sample questions, and study tips.
Moreover, the educators make themselves available to staff to answer questions, and
Donna adds, "Before offering the class and exam here, we as educators took the review course and exam ourselves so as
to role model success and better answer questions the staff might have."
During CHOC's Nurses Week celebration, staff sets up a booth to highlight certification and share specifics about
the benefits of certification. PNCB exam brochures are distributed, and staff collects names of
those interested in more information about the review course and the CPN® Exam.
Recognition.
When CHOC nurses earn certification, they receive a letter of congratulations from the CNO, plus CHOC announces the
names of newly certified staff in unit newsletters and in their patient care services newsletter, Simply the Best News.
At their recent certification celebration this past December, certified staff from Med/Surg and SSU were honored with a plaque bearing
their names. The plaque will be posted on each of the units in a public area to be seen by staff, patients, and families.
Alongside the plaque, CHOC will display the PNCB's "Wall of Distinction" poster to further recognize their CPNs® and
share with the public why certification is important.
Achieving is Believing.
Donna notes that "...the greatest benefit of certification was how staff perceived themselves
after certification." When asked about their feelings on being certified, CHOC CPNs®
responded that they felt a sense of pride for
themselves and the unit for their achievement, a validation of their knowledge of pediatrics, confidence in their abilities,
and an increased motivation to continue furthering their education. Donna adds that the success of this group has motivated
staff who once were reluctant to test to inquire about upcoming certification opportunities.
It's easy to see that CHOC is definitely an employer who supports certification and continued learning in a huge way.
The PNCB applauds the nurses at this facility for their commitment to certification and is proud to feature your hospital in this quarter's Employer Spotlight.
Thank you, Donna, for talking with us about CHOC and the wonderful ways it supports its nurses!
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For more than 115 years, Kosair Children's Hospital of Louisville, Kentucky and its predecessor hospitals have provided children of Kentucky and Southern
Indiana the best health care available without regard to their families' ability to pay. Kosair Children's Hospital is Kentucky's
only free-standing, full-service pediatric care facility dedicated exclusively to caring for children and is an advocate for
the health and well being of all children. The 263-bed hospital, which also serves as the primary pediatric teaching facility
for the University of Louisville School of Medicine, maintains an unwavering dedication to the children of the community and region.
This dedication shows in Kosair's support for certification: 50 of the 158 nurses currently certified
hold CPN® certification.
Their commitment to the professional development of their nurses is to be applauded, and we talked with Jill Berger, RN,BC, MBA, CNA,
Director of Education and Research, to learn more about this certification success story.
Understanding Perceptions.
To better understand why nurses seek certification—and why they don't—Kosair launched a survey.
Jill notes, "Our efforts to increase certification began with a staff survey regarding attitudes toward certification and perceived barriers
to achieving professional certification." Most of the respondents felt that certification was a valuable asset and stated that
they had considered becoming certified in their specialty. The top five barriers to becoming certified were no time to prepare,
cost of the exam and renewal, fear of failure, test anxiety, and lack of reward and recognition. The survey also revealed a lack
of knowledge of existing incentives and rewards for certification. Only 55% of respondents were aware that the hospital reimbursed
nurses for certification exams. Only 51% were aware that Kosair's new Nursing Clinical Advancement Program (N-CAP) rewarded nurses for
certification and required certification to achieve the highest level.
Taking Action.
The hospital decided on a multi-faceted approach to increasing certifications that would address the barriers and concerns
expressed in the survey and incorporate suggestions from staff on the best ways to support their efforts. The Professional
Development Council joined forces with the Education Department to increase awareness, assist with exam preparation and
provide rewards and recognition for certified nurses. The Children's Hospital Foundation provided financial support for certification.
Nancy Gray, Chair of Kosair's Professional Development Council, enthusiastically shares the results of taking these steps.
"The new N-CAP program, as well as our journey toward Magnet status, has served to encourage more nurses to become
certified in the last year than I have seen in over 15 years!"
Champions for Certification.
Several methods were used to increase awareness and enthusiasm about certification, and inform nurses of available assistance.
Champions in various departments "talked up" certification in their respective specialties and volunteered to start study groups.
They announced their intention to take the exam and invited others to join them. Information was included in Kosair's nursing
newsletter and on the intranet portal, and a brochure was developed with information about various certifications.
A certification fair was held featuring the different certifications, financial assistance available, N-CAP incentives and more.
On-site testing was arranged for the CPN® Exam.
Overcoming the Fear Factor.
To address the fear of failure and test anxiety, the hospital provided an education session on test-taking tips.
Study materials were purchased and small study groups formed. Many nurses elected to keep their intention to test a secret;
however, those willing to make their intentions known were encouraged and recognized for their courage and commitment
to their profession.
Bonnie Archer, BSN, RN, CPN, serves as a CPN®
On-site Exam proctor and is a great source of inspiration for her colleagues. "By providing a little encouragement and study materials, it is amazing how
eager our nurses are to get their certification!"
Recognizing Certified Nurses.
At Kosair, nurses can apply for 50% reimbursement of exam fees upon registration and acceptance to test.
Upon achieving certification, they receive the remaining 50% reimbursement of exam fees.
They also receive handwritten notes of congratulations from the CNO, the director of their department,
the Education Director and the Professional Development Council. Often there are unit celebrations
and recognitions at staff meetings, and nurses can request a new name badge
bearing their new certification credentials. To recognize those who are already certified, there
is an annual luncheon and celebration. A plaque in the hospital lobby bears the names of
all certified nurses by specialty. Direct care nurses can apply their certification toward N-CAP
requirements and qualify for an advanced level, which is rewarded by an annual bonus.
And Their Efforts Are Paying Off.
In 2007, twenty-seven nurses achieved professional certification. Twenty-one of these individuals became Certified Pediatric Nurses.
The CPN® Exam was offered on-site again in March 2008
and 18 nurses took—and passed—the exam! As mentioned above, approximately one third
of all currently certified nurses at Kosair hold CPN® certification.
This is a huge achievement, and they look forward to seeing that number grow with their next On-site CPN® Exam in August.
It's clear that Kosair is an employer dedicated to supporting certification and superlative patient care. The PNCB is proud to
feature your facility in this quarter's Employer Spotlight, and we can't wait to see more nurses at Kosair Children's Hospital achieve
the distinction of Certified Pediatric Nurse this coming August. Thank you, Jill, for sharing this incredible, motivating story!
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The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
And exactly how many are CPNs®? An amazing 327! Additional facilities such as Children's Mercy South, Children's Mercy North and Children's Mercy West bring this number up to 396.
Children's Mercy has certainly created an impressive culture of certification, and they accomplished this feat by keeping staff informed, providing excellent benefits and recognizing RNs who strive for this professional milestone...
Extensive Preparation for the Exam.
Thank you, Pat, for the incredible job you and your colleagues do each day to support nurses, nurture their professional growth and encourage specialty certification.
The PNCB also thanks the many nurses at Children's Mercy for the difference you make every day in the lives of children and their families.
Your hospital's story is amazing, creating a model for the rest of the country to emulate. We look forward to hearing about Children's Mercy's future successes!
Does your employer go the extra mile to support its Certified Pediatric Nurses? We'd love to hear about it!
Simply email feedback@pncb.org to share why your hospital should be recognized
and maybe we'll feature it in the next PNCB Employer Spotlight. We also offer free brochures on how employers can support certification at your facility. Contact us and we'll send you
copies to share with your administration.
Since its start in 1855, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has developed
innovations to improve pediatric healthcare and save countless children's lives. Today, CHOP
is one of the leading pediatric hospitals and research facilities in the world. With 150 years of service to patients,
their families and the community, CHOP demonstrates an unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care.
This commitment shows in CHOP's support for certification. Over 200 nurses at CHOP currently hold CPN® certification,
and CHOP has offered On-site Testing of the CPN Exam at least twice a year since 2006.
To learn more about CHOP's dedication to certification, we talked with CHOP's Advancing Practice/Education Council Department Chair, Heather Helduser, RN, BSN.
Information Makes the Rounds.
Want a unique way to get the word out about certification? Heather shared that CHOP offers a traveling certification fair during Nurses Week and Pediatric Nurses Week,
when CHOP brings information about certification right to bedside nurses.
"A representative is available to answer any question the nurse may have about the certification process," she adds. Unit-based skills fairs are offered annually as well.
Support for Professional Development and Continuing Education.
"We have opportunities to attend national conferences, and we offer several classes on-site in leadership topics," Heather notes.
During Nurses Week and Pediatric Nurses Week, CHOP invites colleges and universities to come out and share information on continuing education during an educational fair.
CHOP has a level IV assessment program for nurses interested in becoming leaders in management, clinical, research or education.
This program consists of a six-month assessment period where the nurse is mentored in his or her area of interest. An evaluation process takes place, and feedback is provided throughout this period.
Upon completion of the program, the nurse is promoted or given information about how to progress as a leader at CHOP.
Helping Nurses Prepare.
Review classes are offered twice a year. Heather adds, "CHOP makes a review book available in our medical library to borrow.
Some units have purchased review books as well for their nurses to borrow." CHOP's review course is hospital-based.
To learn more about their dedicated CPN Review Course Committee, see our 2007 article on
tips for starting your own review course.
Encouragement and Recognition for Certification.
Every unit's Advancing Practice/ Education Council representative sends a letter of congratulations to each nurse when they are eligible to sit for the certification exam.
Upon certification, CHOP employees receive a one-time bonus of $400. In addition, an annual certification breakfast during Pediatric Nurses Week is held to honor certified nurses.
Goals for the Future.
With CHOP's shared governance model, the Advancing Practice/Education Council has proposed that certification be included in promotion to higher levels.
The Council has also proposed that nurses receive letters from the CNO, Director, and Nurse Manager upon certification.
Heather's council recently began writing articles for CHOP's nursing publications to announce a nurse's certification achievement.
"Credentials will be added to our ID badges," she adds. "We're working through this process now."
Heather notes that CHOP hopes to increase certification each year by 15%. We wish them success in this endeavor and congratulate CHOP on its accomplishments thus far.
Thank you, Heather, for sharing your hospital's story!
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Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
From its beginning as a single bed in 1897, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City has grown into the pediatric specialty provider of choice for families throughout Kansas, Missouri and beyond.
In addition to the clinical care and expertise provided by its staff, Children's Mercy is nationally recognized for its innovation in creating a family-centered environment that is focused on the unique needs of hospitalized children and their families.
And Children's Mercy cares about its pediatric nursing staff as much as they do their patients.
The September 2008 Washington Post article entitled What Nurses Want notes that nurses here
have a say in things such as their schedule and whether patient-staff ratios need adjusting.
These are just two of the ways Children's Mercy supports its nurses.
To learn more, we spoke with Children's Mercy's Education Coordinator, Pat Thon, MSN, RN-BC.
By the Numbers.
First off, we asked Pat to offer readers a brief profile of their pediatric nursing workforce. "Out of the 1,799 nurses at Children's Mercy, 1,385 are eligible for certification," Pat shared.
"Of this number, 675 hold specialty certification, and over 400 hold a PNCB certification such as CPN®, Primary Care CPNP® or Acute Care CPNP®."
Pat added that these figures include all staff nurses, nurse managers, NPs and CNSs.
Nurturing Professional Development.
Pat shared that each unit has an education budget to support staff attendance at national and organizational conferences.
"We also offer tuition assistance and nursing scholarships for advanced education." And every year, Children's Mercy provides several hundred hours
of nursing continuing education, either live or through their computer learning system.
Great Benefits for Certification.
Children's Mercy is also a huge advocate of certification... and recertification. The hospital pays the exam fees for its nurses upfront and offers the CPN® exam through On-site Testing three times a year.
But Children's Mercy takes its support for certification a step further by paying every nurse's recertification fees as well. This is a wonderful benefit!
Nurses at Children's Mercy also receive an additional $1.00 per hour salary differential for earning and maintaining certification in their specialty area.
Certification also helps nurses advance up the clinical ladder at Children's Mercy. They have five steps to their professional advancement program, and levels three and above require certification.
Sharing Information.
With so many successfully certified RNs, Children's Mercy knows how to spread the word about specialty certification. In addition to annual skills fairs, Pat and her staff send emails to
all RNs about upcoming CPN® exams. Exam dates, registration information and a link to the PNCB website are also provided, and nurse
managers share exam brochures with nurses wanting more details about the application process.
Not only does Children's Mercy sponsor review courses, but they purchase study materials for RNs and encourage study groups on a unit level. A journal club is also advocated on the unit level to share the
latest in pediatric nursing literature with staff. And of course, Children's Mercy keeps its library stocked with references that nurses can use to get ready for their exams.
Recognizing Certification.
Children's Mercy is proud of their certified RNs and acknowledges their accomplishments publicly and personally.
For starters, the CNO personally sends each RN a note of congratulations when certification is achieved.
Each nurse is also recognized in Children's Mercy's Nursing Annual Report.
Several departments have dedicated wall space to acknowledge their certified staff, like the Burn Unit's Wall of Distinction for PNCB certified staff (shown below).
During Nurses Week, the hospital hosts a certification luncheon to honor those earning certification. Attendees receive a Children's Mercy certification pin with the current year as well as another small gift from the CNO.
for her role in establishing this Wall of Distinction!
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