Obtaining certification licensure in a specialized nursing field takes expertise in knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences beyond the scope of a registered nurse. Currently Bristol Hospital has more than 130 certified nurses.
“Certification enhances overall nursing practice and research shows that certified nurses have a greater ability to deliver excellence in patient care thereby improving outcomes,” said Bristol Hospital Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Chris Ann Meaney, DNP, MHA, RN-BC, NE-BC, FACHE. “Nurses at Bristol Hospital are encouraged to advance their clinical skills and pursue certification as part of their professional growth. “
Numerous Bristol Hospital departments have been recognized for their efforts in encouraging their nursing teams to pursue certification.
The Emergency Center was recognized by their professional organization, the Emergency Nurses Association, for their high level of certification. In late 2017, Jenny Cinquemani MSN, RN, CEN, accepted the BCEN Emergency Certification National Award in St. Louis, on behalf of the Bristol Hospital Emergency Center.
The hospital’s OR team was recently award the CNOR Certification Strong designation. The designation recognizes that at least 50 percent of eligible perioperative nursing staff at the facility are certified operating room nurses. The designation also highlights hospitals that recognize and reward nurses who become CNOR certified or completed certification.
Another highlight for Bristol Hospital is that the G-Level Medical/Surgical Floor went from a 25 percent to a 46 percent nursing certification rate in 2018.
“These are wonderful certification accomplishments for our nursing team and just reinforce their commitment to providing safe and quality care to our patients,” Meaney said.