NATIONAL CERTIFIED NURSES DAY
Every March 19th, National Certified Nurses Day celebrates the certified nurses who impact lives every day.
#NationalCertifiedNursesDay
Certified nurses dedicate their entire careers to helping others and often work long hard hours. The day honors and recognizes them and their significant achievements. Their advanced skills require continuing education, re-certification, and continued knowledge of ever-changing technology. Certified nurses balance clinical needs and patient care. Helping patients meet their healthcare goals in complex and challenging times makes a Certified Nurse’s commitment even more valuable.
A nursing career is as varied as a doctor’s. They specialize and can earn certifications in specialties and sub-specialties. Certified nurses study and take certification exams to demonstrate their competency, skill, and knowledge in a field. Board certification is available in a variety of fields including:
- Ambulatory Care Certification
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification
- Informatics Certification
- Medical-Surgical Certification
- Nurse Practitioner Specialty Certification
- Pediatric Nursing Certification
- Psychiatric Nursing Certification
Nurses can also obtain sub-specialty certifications. Certified nurses provide skilled experience in the medical fields where they work. They also improve the quality of the health care provided. Now, more than ever, health care needs more qualified nurses providing the care that we need.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CERTIFIED NURSES DAY
- Thank a certified nurse for all they do.
- If you know someone who is striving to become a certified nurse, encourage them in their endeavors.
- Encourage certified nurses to attend job fairs to share their experiences and inspire others to become certified nurses.
- Consider taking a certification you’ve had your eye on.
- Learn more about the certification process.
- Speak to other certified nurses.
- Use #CertifiedNursesDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CERTIFIED NURSES DAY HISTORY
National Certified Nurses Day was established on March 19th in honor of Margretta (Gretta) Madden Styles (March 19, 1930 – November 20, 2005), MSN, Ph.D. Her pioneering and distinguished career inspired nurses around the country. She was recognized worldwide for her leadership and contributions to the study and practice of nursing.
Certified Nurses FAQ
Q. What’s the difference between a Registered Nurse and a Certified Nurse?
A. Both a Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse complete a four-year bachelor’s degree. Like many areas of medicine, specialization is growing. A Certified Nurse receives additional training and certifications which qualify the nurse as proficient in certain types of nursing.
Q. How many nurses are in the United States?
A. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are about 4.2 million Registered Nurses in the United States as of September 2022.
