On September 19, BCEN was pleased to announce our 2024 National Certification Champion Award – Large Healthcare Organization category winner:
Marc and Laura Andreessen Adult and Pediatric Emergency Departments at Stanford Health Care
Stanford, California
What does being named a BCEN National Certification Champion mean to your organization and the communities you serve?
Being named a BCEN National Certification Champion is a testament to Stanford Health Care’s unwavering commitment to nursing excellence, patient care, and community service. It validates the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our nursing staff who have gone above and beyond to achieve and maintain specialty certifications.
This recognition highlights our efforts to provide the highest standards of care, demonstrating to the communities we serve that they can trust us to deliver expert, evidence-based, and compassionate care. It also reinforces our role as a leader in healthcare innovation and excellence, inspiring our nurses to continue their professional development and ensuring that our patients receive care from the most qualified and knowledgeable clinicians.
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?
Nurses who have earned BCEN certifications such as the CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CTRN, and CFRN are distinguished by their advanced clinical expertise, deepened critical thinking skills, and commitment to continuous learning. In their daily practice, these certified nurses exhibit a heightened ability to manage complex cases, make informed decisions under pressure, and provide high-quality care across various emergency and trauma situations.
Professionally, these certifications open doors to leadership roles, specialized career paths, and further academic opportunities, positioning them as key contributors to both patient outcomes and the overall success of their teams. Their certification serves as a marker of excellence, setting them apart as leaders in their field and mentors to their peers.
What are the positive outcomes you are seeing and tracking as the number of BCEN-certified nurses increases?
As the number of BCEN-certified nurses at Stanford Health Care increases, several positive outcomes have been observed:
Retention Rates: The Marc and Laura Andreessen Adult and Pediatric Emergency Departments boast an impressive 99.1% yearly retention rate, indicating that our investment in professional development and certification has created a supportive and fulfilling work environment that encourages long-term employment.
Safety Events: There has been a noticeable increase in safety event reporting within the EDs. This reflects a culture of safety and accountability where certified nurses actively identify and address potential risks before they escalate, leading to improved patient safety and care quality.
Improved Patient Outcomes: Certified nurses bring a higher level of expertise to the bedside, which has contributed to better patient outcomes, particularly in critical care situations, such as improved survival rates and recovery times.
What do you most want other organizations to know about why and how to support nursing specialty certification?
Supporting nursing specialty certification is not just an investment in individual nurses, but a strategic move that elevates the entire healthcare organization. Certification equips nurses with advanced skills and knowledge that directly translate into better patient care, reduced errors, and enhanced clinical outcomes. Organizations that prioritize and support certification create a culture of excellence and professionalism, which in turn leads to higher nurse satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and a stronger reputation in the healthcare community.
To effectively support nursing certification, organizations should provide accessible educational resources, financial support (such as tuition reimbursement and voucher programs), and opportunities for professional development. Recognizing and celebrating certified nurses through initiatives like enhanced compensation, public recognition, and leadership opportunities can further motivate nurses to pursue and maintain their certifications. In doing so, healthcare organizations can foster a workforce that is prepared to meet the challenges of modern healthcare with expertise and confidence.
In nominating Stanford Health Care for this award, Clinical Nurse IV Sue Vanek, MBA, RN, TCRN, CBRN, shared:
“Stanford Health Care recognizes our certified nurses for upholding their professional commitment, nationally validating their clinical expertise, and promoting the highest standards of nursing practice. In support of this dedication to exemplary professional practice, immense hospital-wide opportunities are provided, including unit-based support programs for nurses seeking and maintaining certification.
There are many positive outcomes related to the organization’s commitment and support of board certification in nursing. The adult emergency department has a remarkable 0.9% yearly turnover rate. This highlights the supportive and positive work environment cultivated and motivates continued professional growth.”
Dale Beatty, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive & Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, said:
“At Stanford Health Care, we recognize the importance of our nurses’ professional certifications and promote and celebrate their achievement. Also, Stanford Health Care appreciates that the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing offers robust nursing specialty certification programs fostering empowered nurses across the emergency spectrum who contribute noticeably to patient care, safety, and outcomes.”
Added Karen Stuart, MSN, CEN, Director Emergency Services:
“We currently have a total of 168 certified nurses, showcasing our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of emergency care through continuous professional development and certification. This substantial number of certified professionals not only underscores our commitment to excellence but also ensures that our patients receive the best possible care from highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses.”
