The best nursing staff

Nursing certifications and designations for the unit are important in providing the best care to our patient, recruitment and retention of staff, and in maintaining a healthy work environment (Weeks, Ross & Roberts, 2006). We are fortunate enough that the hospital has already achieved magnet status, however we will be a part of future renewals of that status. As a team, the physicians and nurses have set a goal to obtain the Beacon award status within 3 years of the unit opening. This status has many benefits and has only been designated to two other units in the entire institution.

Magnet and Beacon status are based on a set of criteria that must be met. The magnet award has 14 forces of magnetism. The Beacon award has 6 categories where there must be 42 standards met. One study comparing nurses perception that work in  Magnet hospitals, Beacon units and non Magnet/Beacon hospitals showed a significant difference in work satisfaction. In fact the magnet/beacon award units scored higher in healthy work environment standards, communication and collaboration, shared governance, recognition, skills and confidence in management, and support for continuing their education and completing certifications. These positives are what led to a higher satisfaction in their work environment and higher quality of care of their patients (Ulrich, Woods, Hart, Lavandero, Leggett & Taylor, 2007)

As part of a new ICU it is the commitment of the management and physicians to encourage all nurses to get certified. Some of the common barriers to certifications include cost, resources, and time. In order to offset these barriers we have included money in our budget to purchase review books, flash cards and computer programs to assist staff in studying for the CCRN and CNRN exams. To help with cost the hospital does provide an 80% reimbursement for successful completion of the exams and a $0.25/hour raise. That is $468 per year for a 36 hours/week person and $520 per year for a 40 hour/week person.  We will also be sending out emails of opportunities for staff to take review classes offered through the hospital and/or the local chapters of AACN and AANN.

Ulrich, B., Woods, D., Hart, K., Lavandero, R., Leggett, J., and Taylor, D.(2007) Critical care nurses’ work environments value excellence in beacon units and magnet organizations. Critical Care Nurse, 27; 68-77.

Weeks, S., Ross, A., and Roberts, P. (2006) Certification and magnet hospitals. American Journal of Nursing, 106 (7), 74-76.