AACN promotes value of nursing certification as part of worldwide event recognizing certified nurses
ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Feb. 25, 2016 — The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) joins with hospitals and other healthcare groups across the country Saturday, March 19, to celebrate and recognize the essential work of certified nurses as part of Certified Nurses Day.
“Achieving and maintaining nursing certification requires an ongoing commitment to excellence and willingness to uphold national standards of care in pursuit of better patient outcomes,” said Mary Frances Pate, RN, PhD, CNS, chair, AACN Certification Corporation board of directors. “The AACN community recognizes and celebrates the impact of certified nurses on the well-being of patients, families and the profession, especially in today’s evolving healthcare environment. To all certified nurses, we thank you for your contribution – you inspire us.”
According to data collected by the American Board of Nursing Specialties in 2014, more than 757,912 nurses in the United States and Canada held certifications, an increase of more than 74,228 certificants compared to 2013 survey data. These certifications were granted by 28 certifying organizations and represent 144 different credentials. Currently, more than 96,000 certified acute and critical care nurses hold AACN Certification Corporation’s credentials: CCRN, PCCN, CCRN-E, CCRN-K, CMC, CSC, CCNS, ACNPC, ACNPC-AG, ACCNS-AG, ACCNS-P, ACCNS-N and CNML.
Certified Nurses Day is an annual worldwide event dedicated to celebrating certification as a means to help ensure high standards of patient care and to promote continuing excellence in the nursing profession. Initially proposed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the day honors the birthday of the late Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, an international pioneer of nursing certification and longtime friend of AACN and AACN Certification Corporation. Styles designed the first comprehensive study of nurse credentialing.
For more information about Certified Nurses Day, visit www.aacn.org/certnursesday.
About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, California, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN represents the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and includes more than 225 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution.
About AACN Certification Corporation: AACN Certification Corporation promotes and enhances consumer health and safety by establishing and maintaining high standards of professional practice excellence through certification and certification renewal for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families.