The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB) has been very busy during the first half of 2020, with our focus on the goals of promoting certification within our nursing specialty. Our monthly Board calls are very valuable and allow us the opportunity to discuss ways to make the process of becoming certified and maintaining certification as simple as possible while adhering to our high standards for promoting nursing excellence. For those who are not certified, please take a minute to reflect on its value and importance. Certification provides professional recognition of the attainment of a common knowledge base and a high level of skill in the practice to achieve the highest standards in the specialty field of plastic surgery and aesthetic nursing.
For those of you who are due to recertify this year or even next year, I encourage you to begin the process as soon as possible. Simply go to the PSNCB Web site and login (Nurses Login). This is where you will find your specific certifications, the expiration date of your certifications, the recertification guidelines, and a link to start your recertification application. This is also the place where you can order your certification certificate!
Start the process by completing your demographic information and saving it. Then each time you complete a continuing education program, you can simply open your application and download the certificate.
It is important to note that any journal article used for your recertification must have an original publication date that is within your 3-year recertification period. This is the date that you are recording in your application and not the date that you completed the continuing education test.
Starting the recertification process early is very important. Remember once you turn your packet in, it will go to a Board member who will need ample time to review and give you feedback if there are any issues related to your packet that may prevent it from being accepted. If your packet is returned to you as "incomplete," there will be specific instructions included for you to follow so that your packet will meet all the requirements. It is important that you allow sufficient time to submit the requested documentation so that your packet is accepted and you avoid any late fees.
It is always my pleasure to share exciting news as it relates to certification in our specialty. The Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston has a new nursing policy that requires a nurse to have a current CPSN certification to be involved in the care of patients requiring tissue expansion. This is just another example illustrating the importance and value of certification within our nursing specialty.
As we move into 2020 and beyond, the leadership of both the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN) and PSNCB recognize the importance of sharing ideas to create a vision for our nursing specialty. In February 2020, Amanda Bailey-ISPAN President, Gerri Obie-ISPAN President Elect, Renee Hinojosa-PSNCB President, Sharon Fritzsche-PSNCB Secretary/Treasurer, and Aurelie Alger-PRRI President (Association Management Company) had a very productive conference call. Strengths, weaknesses, and goals moving forward were all discussed. One point of discussion was related to questions by members regarding obtaining and maintaining certification. It was decided that PSNCB will sponsor a Certification Breakfast at the ISPAN Annual Meeting in September. We will look forward to seeing all of you there.
In the meantime, PSNCB is here for you. Please feel free to reach out to any of the Board members for any questions or concerns that you may have. Wishing you a happy and healthy spring and summer.
Respectfully submitted,
Renee J. Hinojosa, MSN, APRN,
ACNS-BC, CPSN, CANS
President PSNCB