CCI Blog

CCI established the Certification Coaches program as an opportunity for certified nurses to become more involved with CCI, certification, and their fellow nurses. The Certification Coaches program acts as a volunteer mentorship opportunity for nurses dedicated to helping others achieve certification in the perioperative field, thus increasing overall patient safety.

Overview of CFPN

The Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN) credential is the newest certification from CCI. It is designed to give perioperative nurses with less than 23 months in the operating room a firm foundation for career-long professional development success. Additionally, earning the CFPN certification puts early-career perioperative nurses on the fast track to earning either CNOR or CNAMB.

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

It’s a common misconception that leaders do not need to pursue certification because leaders are often not considered “frontline staff” that provide direct patient care. However, certified nurse leaders do have a significant impact on patient care and outcomes.

Nurses notice leaders who are actively engaged in ensuring that the policies and procedures implemented in their facilities align with current best practices. In order to stay updated, leaders must continue to learn and serve as an example for their staff. If leaders are not modeling the importance of being certified, how can we expect frontline staff to see the value of certification?

Specialty nursing certification validates a nurse’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined role and clinical area of practice. Nurses who pursue certification, and the organizations that support and encourage them, demonstrate a commitment to exceptional patient safety and a mastery of current standards in their field of practice.

CCI developed the TrueNorth Award in 2013 to recognize facilities that use certification as a “true north” to guide their perioperative nurses to be models of competent practice, advocates for patient safety excellence, and lifelong learners. To be considered for this high award of merit, facilities must submit an application detailing how their organization recognizes and rewards nurses who earn their certification, and the impact certification has on patients and staff. Applicants must also include letters of endorsement to support the efforts of their facility.

The Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB) certification was developed for perioperative nurses working in the ambulatory surgery setting seeking to improve and validate their professional competencies. CNAMB certification assesses the knowledge and skills of a perioperative nurse with a minimum of two years of clinical practice in the ambulatory surgery setting and confirms a certificant has met established eligibility standards of competence.

The Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM) credential is one of a kind. CSSM is a perioperative management credential designed for perioperative managers, directors, and nurses who oversee personnel, a budget, a business unit, or a service line. Earning the CSSM is a mark of distinction and recognizes the significant role managers play in delivering safe patient care. If you’re in a perioperative management role, then the CSSM certification may be right for you!

Nurses embark on the journey to earn certification for numerous reasons. Achieving certification validates your knowledge and skills as a perioperative nurse, provides a sense of personal accomplishment, and can advance your career. Certification is an asset to the field of nursing and benefits the entire healthcare community - patients, nurses, managers, hospital administrators, and facilities all see value from perioperative certification.

In a profession where your focus lies on taking care of others, it can be challenging to find the time and energy to take care of yourself. Self-care is doing an activity to improve your health, whether it's mentally or physically. Making the time for self-care is incredibly important and can significantly improve your overall health. Here are a few ideas to try out!

CCI believes that registered nurses who have attained certification, and facilities that support the certification goals of their nurses, show commitment to upholding the highest standards in patient care. The TrueNorth Award was created by CCI to recognize facilities that have used certification as a guide for their perioperative nursing staff. Please join us in congratulating Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for their achievement in being named the 2020 TrueNorth runner-up.