CCI Blog

As the only accredited credentialing program for perioperative registered nurses, CNOR certification is the gold standard. Earning the CNOR credential is a mark of distinction and a highly sought after personal and professional accomplishment. CNOR-certified nurses are committed to providing the highest quality care to their surgical patients. 

In 2013, CCI developed the TrueNorth Award to recognize organizations that use CNOR certification as a “true north” to guide their perioperative nursing staff to be lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for patient safety excellence. This award is the among the highest honors bestowed upon a perioperative department, with prizes totaling $5,000. The TrueNorth Award includes five CNOR exam fee vouchers, funds for a facility celebratory reception, a commemorative recognition plaque, and more.

Interested in applying but not sure where to begin? To assist applicants, CCI has broken the process down into five simple steps.

Once a year CCI offers CNOR grants through the AORN Foundation to both individual nurses and facilities in support of certification efforts. CCI is always eager to learn about the recipients, and we are proud to feature Batson Children's Hospital as this month’s Hospital Highlight. As the only medical facility in Mississippi dedicated solely to children and adolescents, this facility has worked hard to create a high standard for the care provided within. Eager to continue to make strides in the quality of care provided, the Batson Children's Hospital, part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, is ready to put the 2017 CNOR Grant received earlier this year to use.

Kristin Kraus, MA, BSN, RN, CNOR has been an operating room nurse for over 15 years and is currently working as a Vascular Team Leader and CNOR Coach at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. Exposed to specialty nursing early in her career, this dedicated nurse is committed to helping others through their professional journies, whether it be finding their passions or assisting through the certification process.

Queen’s Medical Center, Same Day Surgery Operating Room located in Honolulu, has worked extremely hard over the last few years to increase the quality of care provided within the facility. Determined, the facility has focused efforts on careful financial planning, employing a supportive and involved staff, and creating a rewarding environment. These combined efforts have lead Queen’s Medical Center Same Day Surgery OR to become one of the top facilities in Hawaii, offering exceptional care to the surrounding community. CCI is delighted to recognize this facility’s hard work and honor them as this month's Hospital Highlight.

From a very young age Nancy knew she was supposed to be a nurse. She remembers having a coloring book with pictures of different occupations on each page; specifically, Farmer Brown, Chef Tony and Nurse Nancy. She thought to herself, “Oh look…I am Nancy and it says here that I am supposed to be a nurse when I grow up.” It was this simple childhood logic that lead her on a great journey to become a successful and caring perioperative nurse (who knew she would eventually marry Chef Tony, as well)! Today, Nancy Cabianca RN, CNOR is an exceptional example of perioperative nursing leadership. A natural go getter, Nancy has successfully passed certification exams in both Canada and the US, continuing to widen the effect she has on the profession. There is no doubt she has made a significant impact at her current facility in her role as staff nurse at the Queens Medical Center, Same Day Surgery Operating Room in Oahu, HI. 

Amelia Earhart once said, "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Tabitha Stutts Kinlaw, seems to agree. Since the day she stepped foot into the operating room, she has been a go-getter. A perioperative nurse for 25 years and certified as a CNOR since 1995, Tabitha has practiced as a staff nurse, orthopedic surgery coordinator, charge nurse, assistant director, and educator in the operating room. Tabitha continues her success as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist and the Primary Nurse Administrator of the Approved Provider Unit at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC--the same hospital she was born in.

According to a recent study by WalletHub, Florida is the best state for military retirees as it received high rankings in economic environment, quality of life, and health care. One of the VA health care facilities located in the sunshine state is James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital (JAHVH), this month's Hospital Highlight. A teaching hospital, this facility offers a wide range of services, is equipped with latest technology and participates in many educational and research opportunities. Supporting certification with the help of the facility's CNOR Coach, JAHVH is committed to encouraging their perioperative staff to advance through continued education and achieved competencies ensuring the highest quality of care is provided. 

From directing staff to managing scheduling and budgets-- and coordinating the day-to-day-- managers of the OR directly impacting patient safety. With so many important responsibilities, there is no doubt that surgical service managers have play a vital role in the OR. But how does one become identified as a well-rounded and effective manager? One way is through certification, or in other words, by becoming CSSM-certified.

We know how daunting it may be when preparing for any certification exam-- there is so much to review and it is impossible to know exactly what questions will be on the test. How will you know where to begin? Well look no further, because CCI is here to help. We have created a list of the top 5 must-have resources to help you prepare to take the CSSM Exam.

Certification is defined as the process of providing an individual with an official document attesting to a status or level of achievement. Certification is used in the perioperative profession so nurses may demonstrate their mastery of knowledge in surgical nursing, and their ability to apply this knowledge to their clinical practice. With a goal to create a culture of patient safety and extraordinary care, certification benefits the entire healthcare community from the patient to the nurse to the facility. A 2017 TrueNorth Honorable Mention and this month's Hospital Highlight, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, is highly aware of these benefits and in return works hard to motivate nurses to become certified within the facility.