CCI Blog

We're always looking for new ways to support perioperative nurses in their professional development and recertification journey. That's why we're excited to announce our partnership with Conquer Experience and their innovative training platform, PeriopSim™.

This collaboration gives CNOR® certificants and specialty designation holders another valuable opportunity to sharpen their skills while earning points toward recertification.

Earning our CNOR Strong Award is no small accomplishment. It reflects a powerful commitment to perioperative excellence, a culture that supports certification, and a team dedicated to delivering safe, high-quality patient care. But what comes next? For facilities that have achieved CNOR Strong recognition, the next step is clear: our TrueNorth Award program.

On May 4, 2026, CCI launched a new Certification Management System (CMS) with a modernized design and interface to enhance your experience at every stage of the certification journey. We recognize that any new system can take time to get used to, so we have created a series of tutorial resources on YouTube to support you as you navigate and become familiar with the updated platform.

Big changes are coming to make managing your certification easier, faster, and more intuitive. On May 4, 2026, CCI will launch a brand-new Certification Management System, designed to improve your experience from application through recertification. Here's everything you need to know to prepare. 

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.

Understanding the Differences Between Two Specialty Nursing Certifications.

Certification validates a nurse’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in a defined role. The Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR) and the Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB) are two certifications that demonstrate commitment to exceptional patient safety. While both certifications validate professional competencies, they differ in eligibility standards, are applicable in different surgical settings, and have a different scope of practice. Discover what credential is best suited for your area of practice.

Spread Holiday Cheer this Year! Create fun celebrations at your facility to increase festivities this holiday season.

Certification allows nurses to demonstrate their commitment to exceptional patient safety. Nurses who attain certification, and the facilities that support them, demonstrate a commitment to improving patient outcomes and mastering the knowledge it takes to do so. Facilities value having certified staff, but a lot of nurses are not certified upon hiring. Getting your staff certified may sound like a daunting task, however, CCI has many resources available to assist in getting your staff certified.

In 2019, CCI was honored to present Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with the TrueNorth Award. CCI’s TrueNorth Award recognizes facilities that use certification as a compass to guide their perioperative nurses towards being lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for excellence and patient safety.