March 2010

 

The Value of Certification.  According to The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS), certification is "the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills and experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes."  Nationally, less than 20% of nurses are certified; however, the average certification rate of direct care nurses in Magnet hospitals is 28%. 

CVMC’s overall nurse certification rate is 48% of eligible direct and nondirect care nurses!  Forty-two percent of CVMC nurses who provide direct patient care are certified.  Your commitment to professional development has helped us exceed the average Magnet certification rate almost 2-fold (1.7X). 

Patients are more educated on their healthcare issues today than in previous years and they have come to expect superior nursing care.  Certification is one way to show patients and their families that CVMC nursing is committed to improving competence.  Studies on the benefits of nursing certification are limited; although, one study conducted in 2004 by the ABNS included a survey that addressed perceived benefits of certification in which over 11,000 nurses participated.  Study findings included personal challenge and achievement, job satisfaction, validation of knowledge, and access to job opportunities as benefits nurses attributed to their certification.  This same survey also identified higher levels of professionalism among certified nurses.

“Board certification is rapidly becoming the norm to distinguish that a nurse has a met a level of distinction and knowledge indicating professional nursing practice and gives the public some assurance that the individual must engage in lifelong learning to maintain and renew their certification,”  according to the  American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Friday March 19th is National Certified Nurses Day.  The Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council would like to acknowledge all CVMC certified nurses and encourage all certified nurse wannabees.  Look over the Certification bulletin board display outside the employee pharmacy to see which CVMC nurses are certified in each department.  To those of you who are certified, "thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving patient outcomes."  For those of you considering this challenge, we say "go for it."  §

 

 

Amy Barnes
Kudos to these staff earning specialized certifications and graduate degrees:

    • Medical Surgical ANCC Certification: Evelyn Duncan, RN-BC; Nancy Muehling, RN-BC

    • Certifed Emergency Nurse: Beth Tysinger, BSN, RN, CEN

    • Microsoft Certified Application Specialist: Sonya Fleming, earned certification in Office 2007 Excel, Word and Powerpoint applications - successfully completing 3 separate certification exams.

    • Amy Barnes, MSN/MHA, RN-BC graduated in January 2010 from the University of Phoenix with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Administration.  Congratulations, Amy! 



 

Magnet Redesignation.  Did you know that CVMC received five exemplars?   Research and/or EBP was highlighted in the New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements & Empirical Outcomes Exemplars.  Click here to learn more http://21.1.200.200/PDF/Nursing/MagnetExecReportJan2010.pdf  § 

 

2009 March of Dimes Volunteer of the Year Award.  We here at CVMC are well aware of the tireless effort Kim Pennell, RN gives to the fight to prevent birth defects.  Kim has been recognized by the March of Dimes organization for her contribution to increasing awareness and raising funds for this cause in Catawba County.  The season has arrived again this year for making your contribution to March of Dimes.  Three days remain to check out the baskets and purchase raffle tickets to support the cause: March 22 (1100-1300), March 25 (1700-2000) and March 26 (0600-1400).   Hope to see you for the March for Babies walk on May 1st at Hickory High!  §

 

Mark your Calendar.  Spring is almost here and so is 2010 EBP Week!  Keep your eyes peeled for fliers describing all the activities scheduled for 18-23 April 2010 including floor rounds with "Who's First" game with EBP questions and prizes, a research and EBP slogan contest, and poster day.

 

The Cutting Edge: A Guide to peri-Operative Success.  This workshop, sponsored by the AORN Foothills Chapter 3407, will be held 27 March 2010 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM in AHEC112.  Pre-registration is required; however, payment is accepted at the door with registration beginning at 7:30 in the morning.  Contact Cliff Singleton, BSN, RN  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.  §

 

 

Jennifer Starnes, RN, CRN

Radiology

Jennifer graduated from CVCC in 1992, and thereafter joined the CVMC nursing staff caring for patients first in the medical unit and then on surgical.  She transferred to radiology nine years ago.  Jennifer is a member of the Association for Radiology and Imaging Nurses (ARIN).  She has been a Certified Radiology Nurse since October 2008, and is also ACLS and PALS certified.  As a CVMC nurse in radiology, she is not only responsible for admitting and discharging patients, but also assists with angiograms, biopsies, myelograms, IV conscious sedation and numerous other procedures. 

Jennifer believes that evidence-based practice makes a difference in both patient satisfaction and patient outcomes.  She also believes EBP is a nurse satisfier.  As a member of ARIN, she receives journals that incorporate EBP articles.  CVMC radiology nurses read such an EBP article some time ago, which addressed the advantages of end-tidal CO2 monitoring in patients receiving IV conscious sedation.  These nurses brought this “new” practice to the attention of the whole department, and a practice change was made in the Radiology Department as a result.  Another practice change made in collaboration with other hospitals, was a protocol change regarding IV dye allergies.

Jennifer is an active member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church where she participates in many of the community outreach programs, e.g., Operation Inasmuch and Angel Food Ministries.  She even manages to incorporate her hobby of motorcycle riding with the “Motorcycle Ministries” at Sandy Ridge. Jennifer has been married to Steve for 10 years, has two stepchildren, and is expecting a baby this summer. You may have enjoyed seeing her talent for acting in the Patient Rounding skits that accompanied the renewed Customer Service training here at the hospital last March and April.  Jennifer enjoys scrapbooking too.   §

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