On September 19, BCEN was pleased to announce our 2024 National Certification Champion Award – Small Healthcare Organization category winner:
Phelps Health Emergency Department
Rolla, Missouri
What does being named a BCEN National Certification Champion mean to your organization and the communities you serve?
Being named the BCEN National Certification Champion is a distinguished honor for Phelps Health that we will proudly celebrate for many years to come. This recognition underscores our dedication to excellence, ensuring that our staff is equipped with the most advanced knowledge and skills to provide top-tier care in critical situations.
For our community, this achievement reassures patients that the ED nurses caring for them have met the stringent requirements set by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. This achievement also reflects our hospital’s proactive approach to continuous improvement, where patient safety and quality care are paramount.
What sets nurses who have earned the CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CTRN, and/or CFRN apart in their daily practice and in their professional development trajectories?
Certified Emergency Nurses (CENs) possess industry expertise, critical thinking skills and the ability to confidently handle complex emergency situations. Their certification signifies a deep understanding of the latest evidence-based practices, allowing them to deliver high-quality care even in the most challenging circumstances.
In addition, CENs are often proactive in seeking out growth and leadership opportunities. The rigorous process of obtaining and maintaining certification encourages a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Continuous education not only enhances their own career trajectories but also contributes to the overall excellence of the healthcare team, setting a high standard for others.
What are the positive outcomes you are seeing and tracking as the number of BCEN-certified nurses increases?
As the number of CENs increases, Phelps Health has observed several positive outcomes that directly impact patient care and overall team performance. First, we’re seeing improved patient outcomes, including faster response times and better management of critical cases, as our certified nurses apply their advanced skills and knowledge.
Additionally, we’re noticing a boost in team morale and collaboration. Our certified nurses are sharing their expertise with colleagues through mentorship roles, which raises the overall standard of care. Turnover rates are also decreasing, as nurses who pursue certification tend to be more engaged and committed to their professional development and our Hospital’s mission.
These positive outcomes reflect the value of investing in certification and underscore our commitment to delivering exceptional care to our community.
What do you most want other organizations to know about why and how to support nursing specialty certification?
Supporting nursing certification is an investment in both your staff and the quality of care you provide. Certification empowers nurses with advanced knowledge and skills, enhancing their confidence and competence in delivering exceptional care.
To effectively foster certification, we suggest creating a supportive environment that values ongoing education. Offer resources like study materials, financial assistance and dedicated time for exam preparation. Celebrate and recognize those who achieve certification, as this not only honors their dedication but also motivates others to pursue similar paths. By prioritizing nursing certification, you’re not just elevating your team — you’re elevating the standard of care for your entire organization.
In nominating Phelps Health Emergency Department for this award, Phelps Health Critical Care Educator Gavin McDonald, RN, CEN, described how Phelps Health’s focused and comprehensive commitment to supporting and recognizing CEN certification led to immediate results:
“Phelps Health has had 1 CEN nurse for the last several years. The organization began our push for certified nurses at the beginning of this year, offering nurses up to $1,000 toward the certification preparation resources of their choice, advance funding for exam registration, a reference library, and a CEN review course twice a year. In our first review session this spring, we had 7 nurses attend with all now successfully passing. After that first session, our emergency department’s CEN certifications increased from 1 to 8, with 30% of our nurses now certified after only 3 months.
We have our fall review course beginning soon with 8 nurses committed to attending. After 1 year of the class and resource implementation, we expect our growth to go from 4% of ED nurses certified to over 55%.”
Phelps Health Senior Vice President/COO/CNO Keri Brookshire-Heavin, MHA, BSN, RN-CNML, said:
“Phelps Health is proud to be recognized as a BCEN National Certification Champion, a title that showcases our team’s advanced skills and dedication to excellence. This achievement reflects our commitment to ongoing improvement, with patient safety and quality care always coming first.”
