I hope everyone enjoyed this long, hot summer. It was a good opportunity to either lay by the pool or just stay in the air-conditioning and read the Core Curriculum. What a great resource book. I would encourage anyone who does not own this book to purchase one. It is an excellent book to have on hand, whether you are studying for the certification examination or just to have for all the available knowledge at your fingertips.
I would like to encourage those who are up for re-certification to get your applications online and get them in early.
I also would like to encourage those who are not certified and have been working in your specialty for 2 years or more to validate all that knowledge, by taking the examination and documenting your expertise.
Having your certification proves not only to your employer and your peers but also to yourself that you are accountable for your commitment to your specialty. Patients feel more confident when they know that not only their physician but also their nurse is board certified.
Certification affects patient outcomes; it contributes to patient safety by setting a level of basic knowledge upon which the nurse can build a strong foundation for competence, safety, and quality of care for the patient.
I know from personal experience that having my certification keeps me connected to my organization and my commitment to lifelong learning and accountability. We have been very fortunate to have Allergan Medical. To support us by awarding grants that pay for the examination for those who apply. There is a CPSN review course offered and with the Core Curriculum you have many opportunities to help you achieve this goal, of being a certified plastic surgery nurse.