University Hospital Receives National Recognition for its Support of Perioperative Nursing Certification

University Health is pleased to announce it has earned the CNOR® Strong designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). The CNOR Strong designation is given to facilities having at least 50 percent of its operating room nursing staff CNOR certified, and provides programs that reward and recognize its certified nurses. This is the first year CCI has awarded this elite status to facilities nationwide.

The CNOR® certification program is for perioperative nurses interested in improving and validating their knowledge and skills, and providing the highest quality care to their patients. Certification also recognizes a nurse’s commitment to professional development. It is an objective, measurable way of acknowledging the achievement of specialty knowledge beyond basic nursing preparation and RN licensure.

Research shows that nurses who earn the CNOR credential have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Thus, a team of certified nurses who have mastered the standards of perioperative practice provides even more empowerment, further advancing a culture of professionalism and promoting improved patient outcomes. This strength in numbers is why CCI launched the CNOR Strong program; to recognize those facilities committed to making a difference for its patients both inside and outside of the OR.

Patient safety and positive surgical outcomes are of the utmost importance to a facility, and supporting nurses as they exceed expectations to achieve their perioperative nursing certification shows University Health’s commitment to its core values.

“We are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to our patients. It is our mission to ensure that all patients who receive care at our hospital experience successful outcomes,” said Noel Schaefer, clinical nursing director of OR Services at University Hospital. “That’s why our perioperative nurses are committed to constantly learning and growing in their profession.”

Established in 1979, CCI provides the CNOR® and CRNFA® credentials to more than 34,000 registered nurses, making it one of the largest specialty nursing credentialing organizations and the leading certification body for perioperative nurses. The mission of CCI is to lead competency credentialing that promotes safe, quality patient care and that supports lifelong learning.

For more on the Competency and Credentialing Institute, visit www.cc-institute.org.