A Conversation with Janie & Allen: Promoting Professional Excellence Then & Now
A Conversation with BCEN CEO Janie Schumaker and New BCEN Board of Directors Chair Allen Wolfe
BCEN CEO Janie Schumaker, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, CENP, CHPQ, FABC, is joined by incoming BCEN Board of Directors Chairperson Allen C. Wolfe Jr., MSN, CNS, APRN, CFRN, CCRN, CTRN, TCRN, CMTE, FAASTN, to talk about who inspired them when they were new nurses … plus why they are passionate about their work, what 2024 happenings they are looking forward to, and what impresses them most about BCEN-certified nurses.
With a passion for professional development and supporting nurses to reach their full potential, both Janie’s emergency nursing career and Allen’s critical care transport nursing career span more than 30 years. Â
Who inspired you early in your career?
Allen: I embarked on my journey as a flight nurse in 1990, yet it wasn’t until 1997 that I experienced my first national conference, the Air Medical Transport Conference, which was held in Tennessee that year. It was there I encountered a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the Cleveland Clinic’s helicopter transport team named Christopher Manacci. His presentation on a critical care trauma subject was delivered with such confidence and expertise that it inspired me. Encouraged by his mastery of the topic, I decided to follow in his footsteps. The following year, I presented a topic myself, titled “Transport and Emergency Management of the Patient on the Heartmate Left Ventricular Assist System.” It was an ambitious undertaking, especially considering I had never before spoken to an audience, much less at a national conference.
Janie: I decided that I wanted to become a nurse during high school. I worked part time after school in a nursing home and really enjoyed interacting with and helping the residents. I was fascinated with the skill, confidence and compassion I saw the nurses demonstrate. Once I became a nurse and secured my first full time role in the Emergency Department, I knew I had a lot to learn. I was working with nurses who were much more experienced than I was, and they would often come behind me to check on my work, which made me feel like I wasn’t contributing as a full member of the team.
I learned about the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credential while reading the Journal of Emergency Nursing and decided that I wanted to earn it. None of the other nurses in my department had it, and I thought it would give me more knowledge, confidence and credibility. So I spent several months studying and was able to pass the exam. Both my knowledge and my confidence grew exponentially, as did my ability to provide excellent care and the critical thinking needed for my patients.
Why are you passionate about professional development?
Allen: Professional development stands as a cornerstone of excellence and competency within the nursing profession. My passion for professional development stems from its major role in enhancing patient care, fostering continuous learning, and upholding the highest standards of practice.
In the dynamic field of critical care transport and emergency nursing, where technologies and best practices are constantly evolving, professional development ensures that emergency nurses remain at the forefront of knowledge and skills. This not only enhances their career prospects and trajectory but also significantly improves patient outcomes. In my role as BCEN board chairperson, seeing the tangible impact of ongoing education and skill refinement on both nurses and patients fuels my commitment to advocating for comprehensive professional development opportunities.
Janie: I am passionate about professional development because the people that nurses have the privilege to serve deserve nothing less than our best. If we aren’t continuously learning, we are not able to give our best.
Very early in my career, right after I obtained my CEN, I was able to rapidly identify a critical condition in a newborn and facilitate her care much more rapidly. Had I not had the knowledge I obtained from studying for the CEN, that newborn would have waited several hours for care, as her symptoms were subtle but serious. That is one of numerous examples over the course of my career, but that particular patient made me believe that lifelong learning is vital. No matter what role we find ourselves in, it is important to continue to learn so we can offer our best. Offering our best makes the world a better place and sets an example for the nurses coming behind us.
What impresses you about the BCEN-certified nurses you meet?
Allen: BCEN-certified nurses personify dedication, expertise, and a commitment to their patients and their profession. When I meet these nurses, I am continually inspired by their drive to pursue and maintain certification despite the challenges of their demanding roles and today’s workplace. Their dedication to maintaining high standards of care through certification showcases a remarkable level of professionalism and a deep sense of responsibility towards their patients and the community. These nurses not only elevate the quality of care in their facilities but also inspire their peers to strive for excellence. Their stories of personal and professional growth, the impact they’ve made in their roles, and their contributions to improving emergency nursing practices resonate deeply with me and underscore the value of BCEN’s certification programs.
Janie: I love meeting BCEN-certified nurses. What inspires me the most is their passion for their patients and their coworkers. They want high quality care to be delivered, and they want to be a resource and a mentor for their colleagues. BCEN-certified nurses are some of the smartest, most capable people you will ever meet. Attending meetings and conferences like BCEN Learn Live is the best part of my job because of the nurses I have the honor to meet and reconnect with.
What BCEN happenings and initiatives are you looking forward to this year?
Allen: This year a laser focus for BCEN will be recertification, continued learning, and certification growth. I am particularly excited about:
Recertification Initiatives & Continued Learning Opportunities: The CE tracker we built into the BCEN Learn platform has made tracking contact hours towards recertification easier and more convenient for nurses, whether they hold one or several BCEN certifications. By integrating a variety of learning formats and evidence-based practices into every BCEN Learn CE offering, we aim to not only maintain but elevate the competency levels of BCEN-certified nurses.
This year, we will continue to expand and further diversify BCEN Learn CE courses and free CE webinars, and feature consequential topics at our regional BCEN Learn Live conferences, all of which are designed to cater to the evolving needs of emergency nurses. Our ultimate goal is to support lifelong learning and ensure that every BCEN-certified nurse is continuously well-equipped to meet the challenges of their specialty and their roles.
Certification Growth: We will be promoting the growth of BCEN certifications among emergency, trauma, burn and transport nurses who have not yet obtained a BCEN certification. By demonstrating the value of certification for personal growth, patient care, and professional advancement, we aim to broaden the community of BCEN-certified professionals, which will help more nurses reach their full potential and elevate care in every emergency setting.
Janie: I am very excited this year in particular about our live conferences in Chicago and Phoenix. The BCEN Learn Live conference is the best conference out there because it is small and relevant. I can literally speak with and get to know every person who attends. We stay in touch with many who go on to become conference speakers, podcast guests or volunteer with us in some way. The conference content is second to none and provides information and tools nurses can use on their very next shift. We work very hard to make sure that every nurse who comes to our conference knows just how amazing they are and the difference they make, and has a chance to recharge. It is quite a gem, and I am excited to meet this year’s attendees.
As far as recertification is concerned, we are also looking forward to publishing our new white paper that focuses on the value of recertification and the important framework for continuing competence that’s built into the specialty certification renewal process.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Janie: A career in nursing is not an easy path. The job is mentally and physically demanding and takes a lot out of us. It can be very easy to succumb to getting through the day and going home. Aside from having some activities that you enjoy outside of work, having a professional development plan for yourself is critical to your success.
My challenge for nurses is to think deeply about what you want to do and learn, and then write goals that will guide you to accomplishment. Review your goals and work on them often. Adding knowledge and skills to your resume is a confidence booster and adds infinite value for you. Whether you join your professional organization and make some new friends, take a course related to a topic you have a knowledge gap around, attend a conference, or work toward a certification, you are doing yourself and your patients a favor. It’s up to you to take control of your resume and your destiny. When you do, you’ll be thankful you invested in yourself.
Learn more about their careers in Janie’s bio and Allen’s bio.
