NR 447 Direct Care Project Part 1

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-447: RN Collaborative Healthcare

Prof. Name

Date

Direct Care Project Part 1: Assessment and Diagnosis

Assessment of Certification, Patient Outcomes, and Leadership

1. Clinical Certification and Target Population

a. Clinical Certification: Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
b. Target Population and Setting: Pediatric/Public Health Nurses working in children’s hospitals.

2. Rationale for Certification Selection in the Specified Setting

The CPN certification was chosen due to my passion for pediatric care and a personal connection with this patient group. Obtaining this certification benefits nurses working in pediatric specialty clinics and hospitals by enhancing their career mobility, improving compensation, and validating expertise recognized by employers, peers, patients, and their families.

3. Criteria for Selected Clinical Certification

a. Process to Obtain Certification
Candidates must hold a current, valid, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or Canada and have either 1800 hours of pediatric clinical experience in the past 24 months or five years of RN experience in pediatric nursing with 3000 hours in the last five years, including at least 1000 hours in the past 24 months. Eligible experience can also come from non-hospital settings like ambulatory care, public health, research, teaching, or administration.

b. Cost of Application and Testing
The exam costs $300, which includes a nonrefundable $100 registration fee.

c. Pre-Certification Requirements
Experience requirements can be met in various pediatric care settings, including ambulatory care, home health, or clinical research. Candidates must have a degree in nursing, ranging from a diploma to a doctorate.

d. Examination Details
The CPN exam is computer-based, taken at Prometric Testing Centers, and lasts for 3 hours, featuring 175 multiple-choice questions that focus on knowledge application and analysis.

e. Renewal Process and Timeline
Certification renewal is required annually. Candidates must complete 15 contact hours of continuing education or equivalent activities. Clinical hours are not mandatory but may count towards the 15 required hours. Renewal takes place between November 1 and January 31 of the next calendar year.

f. Requirements for Renewal
Renewal requires completion of 15 contact hours, continuing education, and a $300 exam fee.

4. Peer-Reviewed Article Reference

Schroeter, K. (2015). The value of certification. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 22(2), 53-54. https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=2779001&Journal_ID=607948&Issue_ID=2779000

5. Summary of Article

The decision to pursue certification in a nursing specialty can be driven by personal achievement or a requirement of the job role. Certification acknowledges a nurse’s clinical knowledge, experience, and judgment within a specific area of practice. The benefits of certification may include personal growth, professional recognition, career advancement, financial rewards, and empowerment. Furthermore, certification in a specialty area can contribute to higher levels of professional satisfaction and achievement, ultimately benefiting both nurses and their patients.

6. Impact of Certified Nurses on Patient Outcomes

Certified Pediatric Nurses (CPNs) positively impact patient outcomes in pediatric hospitals and specialty clinics. Their expertise is linked to lower rates of patient falls, reduced hospital-acquired infections, fewer medication errors, and increased patient satisfaction. Additionally, units with certified nurses often achieve higher quality scores.

7. Impact of Certification on Leadership Skills

Certification can significantly enhance leadership abilities in pediatric hospitals and clinics. CPNs serve as role models, guiding other nurses towards certification in pediatrics and elevating the nursing role from traditional caregiving to autonomous, accountable care management across disciplines. Certified nurses often take on leadership positions where they influence care delivery and foster improvements in clinical practice.

Problem Diagnosis Statement

Knowledge deficit related to CPN certification among pediatric nurses in children’s hospitals, as evidenced by medication errors (patient outcomes).

References

Schroeter, K. (2015). The value of certification. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 22(2), 53-54. https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=2779001&Journal_ID=607948&Issue_ID=2779000