Certification Toolkit

At UVAHS, we encourage our nurses to pursue certification in their specialty - it brings new skills to the bedside, benefitting our patients, and is professionally rewarding! Certification is a requirement for Clinician 4 and Advanced Practice roles.

Celebrate National Certified Nurses Day!

  • March 19th is the nationel day for recognizing certified nurses annually.
  • The PNSO has typically sponsored events during the entire week such as roving carts with information and treats. 
  • New in 2013, the PNSO sponsored a Certification Rally.  The rally was held in two parts.  Part I recognized already Certified nurses to come celebrate their achievement! Part II of the event targeted nurses who expressed a desire to Get Certified.  Local professional organization chapters and certification champions were on-site and staffed information booths!
  • Local units are also encouraged to recognize the certified nurses on their team!
    - The Shared Agenda Theme for local & central PNSO Committees in March is Certification!
    - 2013 Local Honor Roll of Certified Nurses!
  • Make sure we recognize your achievement!  keep your RN Professional Profile updated at least twice a year!
     

Tips for UVA Nurses on Becoming Certified

  • Consult your local Certification Champion:   See the 2013 list   (email us to add your name to this resource list!)
  • Computer-Based Learning Module: See Netlearning anytime for CBL "Certification Review Materials - Nursing"
  • Study guides may be available through the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library (and nurses who've purchased them for personal use are encouraged to donate theirs to the collection when finished!)
  • CE Direct & Pearls Review Courses: The PNSO has purchased a number of seats for CE Direct (curious about what they offer? see course catalog), which includes Pearls Certification Review Courses for over 80 certifications as well as thousands of continuing education offerings, to make it easy for UVA nurses to get certified & stay certified! Contact the PNSO Office to learn whether a seat is currently available.
    - Study Tips from CE Direct
  • Test-Taking Tips available here
  • Information about specific certifications (email us to add tips for other specialties):
    - Cardiac Vascular Nurse ( RN-BC)
    - Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse ( CMSRN)
    - Certified Nurse Educator ( CNE)
    - Critical Care Nursing Certification ( CCRN)
    - Neuroscience Nurse ( CNRN) - see NetLearning for UVA-hosted classes!
    - Nursing Professional Development certification
    - OB-GYN and Neonatal certifications through National Certification Corporation
    - Oncology Nursing Certification ( OCN, CPHON, CPON, CBCN)
    - Orthopaedic Nursing Certification ( ONC)
    - Pain Management Certification ( RN-BC)
    - Certified Pediatric Nurse ( CPN)
    - Peri-anesthesia nursing certification ( CPAN, CAPA)
    - Peri-operative Nursing Certification ( CNOR)
    - Progressive Care Nursing Certification ( PCCN) - also contact Nursing Education Services for any in-house training opportunities or study groups
  • Internal training opportunities for certifications:
    - End of Life (ELNEC) - see NetLearning for UVA-hosted classes!
    - Nephrology/Dialysis Certifications (CNN, CDN, CCHT) - see NetLearning for UVA-hosted classes!
  • List of Nursing Professional Organizations - consider connecting with your local chapter, which might offer certification preparation resources!

 

Funding Assistance for Certification is part of UVA Employee Benefits!