CCI Blog

The perioperative nursing landscape is evolving faster than ever, and staying ahead of the curve often requires demonstrating your expertise through industry-recognized credentials. As an industry leader in nursing competency assessment, Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) has helped certify over 40,000 nurses internationally with our various credentials. 

Each of our credentials caters to the different needs within the perioperative nursing community. With a variety of certification options, it can be difficult to know where to begin and decide which ones are most relevant to you! To help you navigate the certification journey, here is a guide to CCI’s most popular programs.

Nurses, join us on a journey through time as we explore CCI’s rich history and unveil 10 fun facts that might just surprise you! In 45 years as the leader of perioperative certification, CCI has experienced significant milestones shaping the identity of the organization and leading to thousands of nurses pursuing perioperative certification all around the world. Take a stroll down memory lane with us as we share some tidbits from the past!

In August 2023, The Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI®) embarked on a critical initiative. A dedicated workgroup comprised of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), all possessing the esteemed Clinical Nurse Specialist Perioperative Certification (CNS-CP®), convened to address a concerning trend: the dwindling number of new certificants for this specialized credential. These SMEs, representing diverse backgrounds in gender, geography, and extensive certification tenure, collaborated to deliberate the future trajectory of CNS-CP®. The outcome of their comprehensive discussions has led CCI to make the consequential decision to sunset (i.e., no longer accept new applications) the CNS-CP® certification on January 1, 2029.

Nurses, with the holiday season in full swing, CCI offers you a present– the gift of certification, that is! With the gamification of professional development activities, it's easy to see certifications as just another box to tick on the career ladder. However, earning a certification is a present in disguise, wrapped in credibility, functionality, and career-boosting potential. So, let's unwrap three ways certification is the ultimate gift you can give yourself!

Perioperative nurses are the unsung heroes of the surgical suite. You work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of your patients at all times, whether that be in or outside of the operating room! In honor of the holiday season, we'd like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the many reasons we are thankful for you–the perioperative nurses in our lives!

After careful review and consideration, CCI has decided to streamline the Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN®) credential by removing all components outside of the Knowledge-Based Test. CCI has also added an extension year for individuals to remain as active CFPN® certificants while pursuing our other credentials. These changes will go into effect on November 9, 2023. While we have removed these components, CCI upholds the highest standards of excellence in perioperative nursing and maintains CFPN® as an accredited and reputable credential. In this post, we will clarify the details regarding such updates.

In the world of healthcare, certifications play a crucial role in ensuring that professionals possess the knowledge and skills required to provide safe and effective patient care. Both the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR®), administered through Competency & Credentialing Institute, and the Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA), administered through the National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC), are highly respected in the perioperative field and, in years past, have been attainable through dual recertification. However, after considering the importance of accreditation to both organizations, changes have been made to the recertification process for holders of both credentials.

As it’s the spookiest time of year, you, and those you know, might be looking for some costume ideas. There are countless options to choose from! Although nurses are a popular Halloween costume choice, the costumes often don’t accurately depict the profession. Moreover, there’s a lack of costume representation in the perioperative nursing field. But do not fear! We’re here to provide tips to share with friends and family to ensure their perioperative nursing costumes are spot on! 

As the world quickly evolves, traditional certificates are no longer the only way to showcase expertise and credibility within your profession. Technological advancements have created innovative ways to demonstrate one’s achievements through digital credentials, also known as digital badges. Digital badges provide a way to recognize learning achievements, contributing to a more comprehensive and dynamic representation of an individual's skills and expertise. The combination of visual elements and metadata ensures the badge can be easily understood, verified, and shared. In this blog, we will discuss the components that make up a digital badge, how to obtain one, and ways to display a badge.

As a certified perioperative nurse, maintaining your certification is essential to demonstrating your commitment to excellence in your profession. However, life’s unpredictable nature may sometimes hinder your ability to fulfill the recertification requirements within the designated time frame. In such circumstances, it’s helpful to be aware of alternative pathways that allow you to preserve your hard-earned credentials. Discover alternative recertification opportunities best fit your professional journey.