Affiliations

Good Shepherd Hospital

Presentation Notes

*Recipient of "People's Choice Award" for Professional Development category. Professional Development poster presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.

Abstract

Background:

Literature suggests professional RN certification contributes to improved outcomes, yet little is known about what motivates nurses to become certified. (Solomon et al, 2016)

Objective:

Increase the percentage of qualified nurses with specialty certification on a single unit quickly.

Method:

The strategy incorporated a three-prong approach. 1) Create Commitment: generated excitement and provided nurses the opportunity to participate as a group with a concrete start and end date. 2) Comprehensive Study Plan: participating nurses were given a comprehensive study plan pathway. This included a weekly schedule of topics with study materials (posters, notes, videos) to keep the program manageable. A chat line enhanced group communication and motivation, and 3) Creative Coaching: Participants received ongoing peer support from a co-worker already certified in that specialty including accessing hospital benefits, signing up for the exam, a weekly check-in, and troubleshooting barriers.

Results:

Fifty-one nurses signed up for the study program! While initially intended for one unit, the unexpected outcome was the interest of other nurses from throughout the organization requested to participate in the program. In other words, there was a snowball effect. Unit professional certifications grew from a baseline of 4% to 28% at the end of the program.

Conclusions:

This structured strategy is repeatable and can be applied in other departments and hospitals to improve professional certification rates.

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

11-15-2023


 

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Nov 15th, 12:00 AM

Strength in numbers: Achieving nurse certifications for large groups using a three-pronged approach

Background:

Literature suggests professional RN certification contributes to improved outcomes, yet little is known about what motivates nurses to become certified. (Solomon et al, 2016)

Objective:

Increase the percentage of qualified nurses with specialty certification on a single unit quickly.

Method:

The strategy incorporated a three-prong approach. 1) Create Commitment: generated excitement and provided nurses the opportunity to participate as a group with a concrete start and end date. 2) Comprehensive Study Plan: participating nurses were given a comprehensive study plan pathway. This included a weekly schedule of topics with study materials (posters, notes, videos) to keep the program manageable. A chat line enhanced group communication and motivation, and 3) Creative Coaching: Participants received ongoing peer support from a co-worker already certified in that specialty including accessing hospital benefits, signing up for the exam, a weekly check-in, and troubleshooting barriers.

Results:

Fifty-one nurses signed up for the study program! While initially intended for one unit, the unexpected outcome was the interest of other nurses from throughout the organization requested to participate in the program. In other words, there was a snowball effect. Unit professional certifications grew from a baseline of 4% to 28% at the end of the program.

Conclusions:

This structured strategy is repeatable and can be applied in other departments and hospitals to improve professional certification rates.

 

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