Nurses with certification hold a compass, guiding them toward phenomenal patient care procedure and nationally accepted standards. Nurses who prioritize certification and the facilities that support them demonstrate a shared commitment to elevate patient outcomes through expertise and the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) developed the TrueNorth Award in 2013 to recognize facilities that use certification as a “true north” to guide their perioperative nurses to be lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for excellence and patient safety. To be considered for this high award of merit, facilities must apply and provide detailed information on how their organization recognizes and rewards certified nurses. Facilities are also required to demonstrate the impact certification had on both patients and staff and must include letters of endorsement to support the efforts of their facility.
We are excited to announce the winner of the 2025 TrueNorth Award— Landstuhl Regional Medical Center!
CCI is grateful to have had the opportunity to interview Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and learn more about their initiatives and aspirations! Responses are provided courtesy of Bethany Atwood, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CNOR, MAJ, AN.
What does certification signify for your facility and staff?
Certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to patient safety and clinical excellence. It validates that our perioperative nurses have achieved the pinnacle of their profession, demonstrating profound expertise and confidence in their skills.
How do you encourage your perioperative nursing staff to pursue certification and maintain a culture of excellence?
We cultivate excellence by embedding professional growth into our team's DNA. Our leadership champions this by actively removing barriers and fostering a supportive, collaborative environment. We don't just encourage certification; we empower our team to achieve it, transforming it into a shared journey of collective success.
In what ways does your facility recognize and celebrate nurses who achieve and maintain their credentials?
Meaningful recognition is a cornerstone of our culture. We celebrate each certification publicly, honoring the dedication and rigor required. This achievement is also a key milestone in our clinical ladder, unlocking opportunities for professional advancement and financial rewards that reflect their expanded expertise.
What key initiatives have contributed to your facility’s success in supporting nurses through the certification process?
Our success is driven by a robust, multi-faceted support system. A pivotal initiative was the formalization of our mentorship program, creating a powerful peer-to-peer network that makes the goal more attainable. Partnering with leading organizations like the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) to provide elite exam preparation resources has also been a critical factor.
Lifelong learning is central to the TrueNorth Award. How do you and your team stay current with advancements in perioperative nursing practice?
Lifelong learning is a core value, and we actively promote it through multiple channels. Our team is encouraged to engage with professional associations like the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), which provides access to the latest research and best practices.
We also sponsor attendance at national conferences and utilize our advanced simulation lab for hands-on training with emerging technologies.
As a look toward the future, what strategies do you have to sustain certification and foster continuous learning within your facility?
Our top priority is to sustain and build upon our momentum. We are expanding our mentorship program to not only guide new certificants but also to cultivate our certified nurses into the next generation of leaders and educators. By integrating this into our career progression framework, we ensure that the pursuit of excellence remains a perpetual and deeply valued goal for every team member.
What advice would you share with other facilities striving to achieve the TrueNorth Award?
First and foremost, ensure your leadership is unequivocally committed; true transformation is championed from the top down. Second, move beyond mere encouragement to active support. Dismantle financial and logistical barriers by providing funding, dedicated study time, and premier resources. Most importantly, cultivate a culture where certification is the benchmark for excellence. Finally, celebrate every victory and foster a collaborative spirit where everyone is invested in mutual growth.
Congratulations to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for going above and beyond for their nurses, patients, and community! If you and your facility are interested in being considered for the 2026 TrueNorth Award, we welcome you to apply once the application window opens.
