The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) believes that the practice of pediatric nursing requires specialized knowledge and skills for both the general pediatric nurse and the pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP). Certification is the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by the achievement of identified standards to promote optimal health outcomes. Certified PNPs promote optimal health outcomes and have a positive impact on the quality of health care to children and families. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive benefits of nursing certification (
Cary 2001
; American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2002; Stromborg et al 2005
).Certification is a process by which an independent, non-governmental agency recognizes an individual nurse’s qualifications and knowledge for specialty nursing practice (
American Board of Nursing Specialties 2004
). Through the completion of specialized education, experience in specialty nursing practice, and the successful completion of a qualifying examination, nurses achieve specialty certification credentials. Maintenance of certification is accomplished though a variety of mechanisms including reexamination, continuing education, self-assessment, and ongoing clinical practice.American Board of Nursing Specialties. (2004). Position statement on the value of specialty nursing certification. Retrieved March 14, 2006 from http://www.nursingcertification.org.
Certification maintenance seeks to assure the public that the certificant has maintained a level of knowledge, as well as ongoing participation in activities that support the maintenance of competence in the specialty (
American Board of Nursing Specialties 2004
). NAPNAP supports PNP certification as a nationally recognized mechanism for validation of this specialty knowledge and skills.American Board of Nursing Specialties. (2004). Position statement on the value of specialty nursing certification. Retrieved March 14, 2006 from http://www.nursingcertification.org.
NAPNAP believes that pediatric nurses and PNPs require specialized knowledge and skills and supports the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) as the recommended certification organization. NAPNAP confers fellowship status of PNP members who are certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
NAPNAP advocates for:
- 1National certification of pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners in specialty areas by an accredited certification organization (National Council of State Boards of Nursing 2002).
- 2Educational preparation of nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses at the graduate level (American Association of Colleges of Nursing 1996).
- 3Educational programs for nurse practitioners designed to meet nationally recognized standards for graduate nursing education (Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Associate Programs 1999,Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Associate Programs
Philosophy, conceptual model, terminal competencies for the education of pediatric nurse practitioners (1996).in: The National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses PNP Program Review Manual. The Association, Gaithersburg, MD1999National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties 2002a,National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties 2002b,National Organization of Nurse Practitioner FacultiesNurse Practitioner Primary Care Competencies in Specialty Areas: Adult, Family, Gerontological, Pediatric, and Women’s Health. US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing, DC2002National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties 2004). - 4Certification at the advanced practice level, which should be considered a requirement for state licensure in advance nursing practice (National Council of State Boards of Nursing 2002).
- 5Individual responsibility for nurses and nurse practitioners to participate in a certification maintenance program, by an accredited certifying organization throughout their professional career.
NAPNAP affirms that professional certification of pediatric nurse practitioners and nurses is necessary to assure consumers, colleagues, and the public at large the highest quality pediatric nursing care. Certification assures national consistency of professional standards, imposes standard titles, helps the public understand the professional’s scope of practice, and provides a venue for the public to raise practice grievances (
American Association of Colleges of Nursing 1994
).The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners would like to acknowledge the following members for their contribution to this statement.
Catherine Burns, PhD, CPNP
Cathy Haut, MS, CPNP-AC, CCRN
Arlene Sperhac, PhD, RN, CPNP
References
- Position statement: certification and regulation of advanced practice nurses. Author, Washington, DC1994
- The essentials of master’s education for advanced practice nursing. Author, Washington, DC1996
American Board of Nursing Specialties. (2004). Position statement on the value of specialty nursing certification. Retrieved March 14, 2006 from http://www.nursingcertification.org.
- Philosophy, conceptual model, terminal competencies for the education of pediatric nurse practitioners (1996).in: The National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses PNP Program Review Manual. The Association, Gaithersburg, MD1999
- Certified registered nurses: results of the Study of the Certified Workforce.American Journal of Nursing. 2001; 10: 44-52
- Regulation of Advanced Practice Nursing. Author, Chicago, IL2002
- Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs. Author, Washington, DC2002
- Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Competencies in Specialty Areas: Adult, Family, Gerontological, Pediatric, and Women’s Health. US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing, DC2002
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies. Author, DC2004
- Specialty Certification: More than a title.Nursing Management. 2005; 36: 36-46
Article info
Footnotes
Revised and Approved by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ Executive Board on June 24, 2006
Copyright © 2006 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. No part of this statement may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners except for one copy for personal use.
All regular position statements from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners automatically expire 5 years after publication unless reaffirmed, revised, or retired at or before that time.
Reprint requests: NAPNAP National Office, 20 Brace Rd, Suite 200, Cherry Hill, NJ
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