2021 BCEN Annual Report Spotlights Lifelong Learning, Access and Support
Across-the-Board Certification Program Growth Includes Another Robust Year for Critical Care Ground Transport Credential
OAK BROOK, IL (January 31, 2022) – More access, more support and more emergency nursing specialty-specific advanced CE offerings are among the highlights featured in the lifelong learning-themed 2021 annual report released today by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, nurses remained committed to earning and maintaining their specialty certifications as evidenced by steady growth in BCEN’s emergency, pediatric emergency and trauma programs, an uptick in flight nursing certification, and a second consecutive year of robust growth in the Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) program for critical care ground transport nurses.
Reflecting on the past year, BCEN CEO Janie Schumaker, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, CENP, CPHQ, FABC, said: “BCEN-certified nurses led the way in clinical excellence, leadership, innovation and patient care during another extraordinarily challenging and difficult year. To every one of our 50,000 nurses: Your dedication is ever a beacon of hope inspiring confidence, and your compassion gives great comfort to every patient and family you touch.”
In January 2021, BCEN adopted a new mission, vision and values and instituted a 45% discount on certification programs for military, veteran and reservist nurses. In February, BCEN became one of the first nursing specialty boards to offer live remote proctoring (LRP) for its exams. This long-planned offering which increases access, flexibility and convenience for all nurses sitting for their certification exams, especially for rural, military and travel nurses, was fast-tracked during 2020 in light of the pandemic.
Highlights and milestones of 2021 also included:
- CTRN 15th anniversary featured on the cover of Air Medical Journal
- BCEN Learn earns three Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Learning Awards
- Collaboration with the American Burn Association on what will be the first burn nursing specialty certification begins
- Major content expansion on the BCEN Learn continuing education platform
- $150,000 in BCEN scholarships awarded
- Double-digit growth in healthcare facilities and transport programs using the BCEN Voucher Program
At year-end, over 50,000 nurses held one or more BCEN specialty certification, including 100 who hold all five, for a total of 58,923 active credentials. For the second consecutive year, the Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) posted increasingly robust gains, with 29% growth in 2021 following 19% growth in 2020.
“While all of BCEN’s emergency, transport and trauma specialty certifications are recognized, respected and sought-after, nurses who hold the CTRN ground transport credential are finally being more widely recognized for their value to critical care patients and their crucial roles in inter-hospital transfers and the emergency response infrastructure,” said Schumaker.
For more milestones, details and statistics, view BCEN’s 2021 Annual Report infographic here: https://bcen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2021-Annual-Report-Infographic_Online-1.pdf
About BCEN
Founded in 1980, the independent, not-for-profit Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN®) offers robust certification programs fostering empowered nurses across the emergency spectrum who contribute noticeably to patient care, safety and outcomes. Nearly 59,000 BCEN board certifications are held by registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in emergency, flight, critical care ground transport, pediatric emergency and trauma nursing. BCEN offers the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN®), Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN®), Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN®), Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN®) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN®) certifications. Through the award-winning BCEN Learn continuing education platform and the new-in-2022 BCEN Learn Live conferences, BCEN supports advanced emergency nursing lifelong learning. Learn more at bcen.org. Follow BCEN on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
CONTACT: Hilde Marnul | hmarnul@bcen.org | 630-352-0811
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