Organizational Best Practices
Certification Tool Kit
Certification Tool Kit:
A Guide to Promoting Gerontological Nursing Certification in a Health System
Table of Contents
Marie Boltz, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, New York University College of Nursing
Practice Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing
Elizabeth Capezuti, PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Professor, New York University College of Nursing
Co-Director, Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing
Deborah Marks Conley, MSN, APRN-CNS-BC, FNGNA
Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist, Methodist Hospital
Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nebraska Methodist Hospital & College
Omaha, NE
Arlene Horner, MS, RN, CNS
Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist
Sanford USD Medical Center
Sioux Falls, SD
Rita LaReau, MSN, GNP-BC
Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Bronson Methodist Hospital
Kalamazoo, MI
CHAPTER 1: THE CERTIFICATION IMPETUS
- A. What is Certification?
- B. Why certify in gerontological nursing?
- C. The Value of Certification
- D. Certification and Magnet
- E. Certification and Measures: Process and Outcome
- F. Certification: Support of Mission and Vision
CHAPTER 2: LAUNCHING A CERTIFICATION INITIATIVE
- A. Assess Commitment and Need
- B. Secure Support
- C. Obtain/Present Data to Administrative Team
- D. Gain Chief Nurse Executive/Officer Support
- E. Address Human Resource Issues
- F. Develop a Budget
- G. Develop a Plan to Address Logistics
- H. Identify Nurse Champions
- I. Publicize! : Posters, Newsletters, Unit Meetings
- J. Hold an Informational meeting
CHAPTER 3: PREPARING NURSES FOR THE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
- A. General requirements for certification
- B. Exam preparation
- C. Test Content Outline
- D. Certification Course Development
- E. Certification Preparation Courses
- F. Resources To Incorporate Within or Supplement Gerontologic Coursework
- G. Evaluations
- H. Schedule/Register for the ANCC Gerontological Nurse Examination
- I. Test Taking Techniques
- J. Provide Final Encouragement
CHAPTER 4: POST EXAM ACTIVITIES
- A. Award/Recognition Activities
- B. Tracking: certification status, contact hours
- C. Evaluate
- D. Disseminate Your Success
- E. Follow-up Education
- F. Embedding Gerontologic Knowledge into Practice
CHAPTER 5: REFERENCES
The NICHE Certification Tool Kit is a joint product of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing specialty nursing initiative and NICHE program.
© 2008 NICHE. All rights reserved. Print, reproduction, and use of this document must include the following citation: Boltz, M., Capezuti, E., Conley, D.M., Horner, A., & LaReau, R. (2008). NICHE Certification Tool Kit. In J. Taylor, M. Boltz, H. Brown, & E. Capezuti (Eds.), NICHE Organizational Strategies. New York: Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University College of Nursing. It is provided as-is for informational purposes. This document may not be modified, and must always include this citation. Any use not expressly permitted may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.
