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Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Gain Certification
Bob Harris, RN MScN ACNP
London, ON
Valerie MacDonald, RN MSN CNS
Vancouver, BC
Lynda Mandzuk, RN BN
Winnipeg, MB
The Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association (CONA) is pleased to announce that Orthopaedic Nursing Certification is a reality! This major achievement fits closely with CONAs long held commitment to continuing education and quality patient care. Beginning in 2006, orthopaedic nurses in Canada can become certified in orthopaedic nursing and use the designation ONC(C).
Background
The Canadian Nurses Association Certification Programme is a voluntary process by which nurses can demonstrate competency in their nursing specialty by writing a certification examination. Since 1984 CONA has worked diligently to meet the requirements to be considered a specialty and to develop an orthopaedic certification examination. Canadian orthopaedic nursing experts in consultation with a professional psychometric company have developed the examination.
Benefits of Nursing Certification
Nursing certification benefits patients, nurses, and orthopaedic physicians.
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↓ errors & adverse events
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Cary (2001)
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Rescue of patients
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Clarke & Aiken (2003), Silber et al. (1992)
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Higher standard of knowledge & skill
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CNA (2005), Nance (1999)
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Validation of knowledge
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Niebuhr (1994), Gaberson et al., (2003), Roberts (2001)
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Evidence of commitment to professionalism
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Byrne et al. (2004), Faherty (1991)
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Job satisfaction
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Coleman et al (1999), Gaberson et al. (2003), Byrne et al. (2004)
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Personal achievement & satisfaction
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Coleman et al.(1999), Fetzer (1997)
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Professional prestige & status
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Gaberson et al. (2003), Byrne et al. (2004), Nielsen et al. (1990), Faherty (1991)
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↓ liability insurance premiums
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Woods (2002)
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University credits
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CNA (2004)
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↑job opportunities
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Faherty (1991), Woods (2002)
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What Can Orthopaedic Physicians Do To Participate In This Exciting Process?
Orthopaedic physicians can play a vital role in the success of nursing certification. Physicians can encourage their nursing colleagues to become certified. They can promote administrative support for educational opportunities and also provide some of the educational sessions. Physicians are in an influential position so that they can facilitate corporate support from various orthopaedic companies. This corporate support can assist nurses financially as they prepare and write the examination. Most importantly, physicians can recognize and acknowledge the excellence of those orthopaedic nurses who have become certified and who provide expert care to their patients.
Orthopaedic nursing certification will provide the patients and other members of the health care team with nurses who have a proven higher standard of knowledge, confidence, and skills. Certified orthopaedic nurses are more likely to stay employed on a unit where their expertise is recognized and will act as mentors for less experienced staff. Orthopaedic nurses studying for examinations and successfully completing the examination will surely raise the bar of orthopaedic care across the country and will positively impact patient outcomes.
The Facts
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1st Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Examination was written
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April 1st, 2006
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Cost for the individual nurse
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~ $500
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Length of time certification is valid
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Five years
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Re-certification is in five years
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Either re-write or provide continuing education credits
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Examination
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Yearly it is reviewed & revised. It is updated every five years to reflect current practice & research.
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The authors are long time members of the Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association and have been involved locally and nationally in the Association. Most recently the authors have been involved in the development of the Orthopaedic Certification exam.
References
- A. Cary. Certified Registered Nurses: Results of the study of the certified workforce. American Journal of Nursing. 2001; 101(1):44-52.
- Clarke, S.P. and Aiken, L.H. Failure to rescue. American Journal of Nursing. 2003; 103:42-47.
- J.H. Silber et al. Hospital and patient characteristics associated with death after surgery. A study of adverse occurrence and failure to rescue. Medical Care. 1992; 30(7):615-629.
- Canadian Nurses Association. Obtaining CNA certification: About the certification program. 2005.
- J. Nance. Professional Certification in Orthopaedic Nursing. Orthopaedic Nursing. 1999; 18(1):48-52.
- B.M. Niebuhr. The value of certification in a patient-driven healthcare system. Journal of Intravenous Nursing. 1994; 17(1):20-24.
- K.B. Gaberson, K. Schroeter, A.R. Killen, and W.A. Valentine. The perceived value of certification by certified perioperative nurses. Nursing Outlook. 2003; 51(6):272-276.
- D. Roberts. Its a Career Credential. Orthopaedic Nursing. 20(5):11.
- M. Byrne, W. Valentine, and S. Carter. The value of certification - a research journey. American Operating Room Nurses Journal. 2004; 79(4):825-828,831,833-835.
- B. Faherty. Why bother getting certified? Home Healthcare Nurse. 1991; 9(4):29-31.
- E.A. Coleman, M. Frank-Stromborg, L.C. Hughes, C.G. Grindel, S. Ward, D.M. Oleske, and C.M. Murphy. A national survey of certified, recertified, and noncertified oncology nurses: Comparisons and contrasts. Oncology Nursing Forum. 1999; 26(6):839-849.
- S.J. Fetzer. Practice characteristics of the dual certificant. CPAN/CAPA. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. 1997; 12(8):240-244.
- B.B. Nielsen, J. Laszlo, C. Miaskowski, K. Heusinkueld, C. Hogan, J. Jenkins et al. Certification of oncology nurses: Maturing of a discipline. Journal of Cancer Education 1990; 5(3):99-102.
- D.K. Woods. Realizing your marketing influence, Part 3: Professional certification as a marketing tool. Journal of Nursing Administration. 2002; 32(7/8):379-386.
- Canadian Nurses Association. Certification Bulletin. (1) May 2004.
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