Poster - #UCDH18 - Best People and Practice, Best Quality, Quality Improvement

Empowering Nurse through Specialty Certification

Gilbert Mendoza BSN, RN, RN-BC, Darryl Amoguis MAN, RN, RN-BC, Norabel Zafra MSN, RN, CMSRN
UC Davis Health East 3 and South 1

ABSTRACT
A Nurse’s Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is a recognition of nurse competence and expertise. According to the Journal of Trauma Nursing (2015) the value of a specialty certification improves the quality of care, nurses feel empowered to mentor, and nurses show a commitment to lifelong learning. According to the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) the benefits of a specialty certification validates nursing knowledge and expertise. The University of California Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) recognizes the value of nurse specialty certification by providing a monthly stipend. Under UCDMC ANCC Success Pays Program and the MSNCB Failsafe Certification Program, our nurses do not have to pay for the initial exam fee until they pass. Furthermore, a hospital wide list of certified nurses is displayed in the quarterly newsletter, and on an annual poster that is exhibited on every nursing unit during Nurse Specialty Certification Week. In December of 2020, East 3 opened as a 19-bed medical surgical unit with plans to increase patient capacity totaling 29 beds. Of the 66-total staff, 57 nurses are eligible to obtain certification, 19 nurses are certified, and 8 nurses did not meet the minimum required nursing practice experience. In alignment with our hospital wide goal of 57% specialty certification and fostering continued professional development, East 3 and South 1 unit-based practice council formed a task force to increase the number of Nurse Medical-Surgical Certification. This taskforce plans to first survey the staff to identify any limitations to obtaining initial certification. Differences between the two certification processes are to be displayed on a table. Study sessions, whether in person or virtual, is to be organized. Finally, a permanent wooden plaque will recognize each certified nurse on the unit. By increasing the number of certified nurses, we hope to improve quality of care on East 3 and South 1 and aspire to continue the UCDMC legacy.