The value of specialty nursing certification

The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) undertook a national study to validate nurses’ perceptions, values, and behaviors related to certification. A Web-based survey was developed and disseminated to certified nurses, noncertified nurses, and nurse managers. Of the 11 427 respondents, 8615 (75%) identified themselves as certified nurses, and 2812 (25%) were noncertified nurses. Of these, 1608 respondents (14%) held the position of Nurse Manager. Using the Perceived Value of Certification Tool © (PVCT ©), certified and noncertified nurses showed a high level of agreement with the value statements on certified practice. Nurse Managers bolstered these perceptions with their correspondingly high rate of agreement on the certification value statements. Additionally, the study examined barriers and challenges to certification, incentives to certification, the impact of certification on lost workdays and nurse retention. This study took an important step in furthering understanding of nursing certification and the implications for health care organizations, nursing certification boards, and certified and noncertified nurses.