SPEAKER: Kathy Puglise & Felicia Schaps
ROOM: Champagne 3/4
CONTACT HOURS: 1
CRNI RUs: 2

The Joint Commission and other accreditation bodies note that knowledge deficits and lack of clinical competency are contributing factors in patient safety errors. Studies from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have demonstrated that specialty certified nurses have higher rates of patient satisfaction in addition to lower rates of work-related patient care errors. As the delivery of health care has become increasingly complex, in addition to new technologies introduced in clinical practice, it is understandable that Americans prefer organizations that employ competent and certified clinicians. Competency is critical in the day-to-day tasks performed. Being accountable and responsible is the individual’s “job” to provide safe, effective patient care. The INS Standard for competency and competency assessment is to ensure patient safety and public protection. In addition, it is to ensure that clinicians meet licensing requirements and core competencies according to the clinician’s profession.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to: • Discuss competency versus certification • Discuss barriers to certification • Describe the ways certification demonstrates expertise to patients, colleagues, and employers