University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics' nursing retention committee honored certified nurses on Certified Nurses Day.™ The day recognizes and celebrates the contribution of board-certified nurses to the advancement of nursing professionalism and to higher standards and better outcomes in patient health.

Ann Williamson, PhD, RN, CNAA-BC, associate vice president for nursing and chief nursing officer at UI Hospitals and Clinics, talks about Certified Nurses Day™

What is 'certification' in nursing?

Certification is recognition of excellence that goes beyond state licensure. State licensure provides the legal authority for an individual to practice professional nursing, but certification is private, voluntary acknowledgement of a person's individual specialty nursing expertise. It's provided by specialty nursing organizations and reflects achievement beyond board licensure.

How many nurses have professional certifications within UI Hospitals and Clinics?

More than 300 of our nurses are certified. I think we're up to about 340 nurses.

What should patients and families know about nurses who are certified?

Because certified nurses have furthered their education in their specialty, they're better prepared to meet the specific challenges of providing specialty care to patients.

What are the benefits to the hospital?

At UI Hospitals and Clinics, we're very proud of our certified nurses because they have made a commitment to nursing education excellence, and that translates into better care for patients and families.

How much does it cost a nurse to become certified?

The cost varies because the certifications are all specific to the specialty. There's no standard charge, but it ranges from about $100 to $300 for a nurse to become certified. Also, at UI Hospitals and Clinics, we reimburse our nurses for their certification and it's very well worth it.

Ann Williamson, PhD, RN, CNAA-BC

KXIC broadcasts are presented in mp3 format. The latest version of Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player, or Real Player is required to play them.

Listen to the radio broadcast

Nursing Service and Patient Care