Commission on Nurse Certification Receives NCCA Accreditation

Commission on Nurse Certification Receives NCCA Accreditation for
the Clinical Nurse Leader Certification Examination

Clinical Nurse Leader outcome data to become more available following inclusion in
the American Nurses Association鈥檚 NDNQI survey

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 20, 2014 鈥揟he American Association of Colleges of Nursing (91制片厂) is pleased to announce that the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has accredited the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification program administered by the Commission on Nurse Certification, an autonomous arm of 91制片厂. The CNL certification program has been accredited by the NCCA for the maximum five-year period expiring January 31, 2019.

鈥淎chieving NCCA accreditation provides clear validation that the CNL credential is a true mark of distinction that identifies program graduates as uniquely qualified to lead outcomes-based practice and systems redesign,鈥� said AACNPresident Jane Kirschling. 鈥淎ACNapplauds the outstanding work of our colleagues with the Commission on Nurse Certification for their dedication to serving the public good by recognizing excellence in CNL program graduates.鈥�

Founded in 2007, the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) is a professional certification organization acting in the public interest by establishing and enforcing education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements for certification. Currently, more than 3,000 nurses prepared in master鈥檚 and 辫辞蝉迟-尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 programs are certified to use the CNL designation.

According to Patricia L. Thomas, Chair of the CNC Board of Commissioners, CNC engaged numerous CNL content experts in the development of the exam as well as in the development of policies and procedures. 鈥淐NC鈥檚 Board of Commissioners acknowledges the commitment and dedication of CNLs across the country who have served as item writers and reviewers as well as those leaders who have served in the past on CNC鈥檚 Board of Commissioners and committees to make this possible.鈥� said Dr. Thomas.

CNC received NCCA accreditation of its CNL certification program by demonstrating compliance with the NCCA鈥檚 Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. In keeping with the standards, the program offers valid and reliable processes for the development, implementation, assessment, governance, and maintenance required for certification. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), formerly known as the National Organization for Competency Assurance.聽 Since 1977, NCCA has been accrediting certifying programs based on the highest quality standards in professional certification to ensure the programs adhere to modern standards of practice in the certification industry.聽聽

NCCA鈥檚 mission is to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs that assess professional competence.聽 The commission uses a peer review process to establish accreditation standards; evaluate compliance with these standards; recognize programs which demonstrate compliance; and serve as a resource on quality certification.聽 More than 270 NCCA-accredited programs certify individuals in a wide range of professions and occupations, including nurses, financial professionals, respiratory therapists, counselors, emergency technicians, crane operators and more. Of ICE鈥檚 more than 330 organizational members, over 120 of them have accredited programs.

CNL Certification Now Included in NDNQI Survey

AACNis also pleased to announce that the CNL certification is now included on the specialty certification list in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators庐 (NDNQI). Administered by the American Nurses Association, the NDNQI collects and evaluates unit-specific, nurse-sensitive data from acute care hospitals. Participating facilities receive unit-level comparative data reports to use for quality improvement purposes.

鈥淎ACNis hopeful that inclusion in the NDNQI will help to better showcase the positive impact CNLs are having in acute care settings, including Magnet Hospitals,鈥� said Dr. Kirschling. 鈥淏y systematically collecting data on certified CNLs through the NDNQI, we expect to see a more robust body of evidence connecting certified CNLs to quality patient outcomes.鈥�
AACNis also pleased to announce that the CNL certification is now included on the specialty certification list in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators庐 (NDNQI). Administered by the American Nurses Association, the NDNQI collects and evaluates unit-specific, nurse-sensitive data from acute care hospitals. Participating facilities receive unit-level comparative data reports to use for quality improvement purposes.

鈥淎ACNis hopeful that inclusion in the NDNQI will help to better showcase the positive impact CNLs are having in acute care settings, including Magnet Hospitals,鈥� said Dr. Kirschling. 鈥淏y systematically collecting data on certified CNLs through the NDNQI, we expect to see a more robust body of evidence connecting certified CNLs to quality patient outcomes.鈥�