Abstract

Problem: Nursing specialty certification promotes professionalism, demonstrates commitment and accountability for lifelong learning and professional development, is associated with improved knowledge and skills, and is linked to improved organizational and patient outcomes. Despite these benefits, certification rates remain low, and nurses still face barriers in obtaining certification.

Intervention: The project intervention was to offer a one-hour introductory class followed by three weekly one-hour Nurse Professional Development (NPD) certification prep courses through Microsoft Teams to the NPD and Informatics Department. The prep course followed the blueprint of the exam and focused on different topics each week.

Measures: Through pre- and post-surveys, this study compared the likelihood of the NPD and Informatics Department to sit for the NPD certification exam within the next year, confidence level of passing the exam, and four perceived barriers to pursuing certification before and after completing a NPD certification prep course.

Results: An independent sample t-test showed no statistically significant improvement in reported likelihood or confidence levels when comparing the pre-survey scores (M = 2.5, SD = .94, n = 9) and post-survey scores (M = 2.5, SD = .78, n = 6); t = 0, p = 1, and no statistically significant improvement in reported barriers to pursuing certification when comparing the pre-survey scores (M = 2.42, SD =.97, n = 9) and post-survey scores (M = 2.52, SD = .89, n = 6); t =.15, p =.89.

Conclusions: Small sample size and confounding variables likely contributed to the lack of statistical significance. Additional outcome data that could be considered for future implications

Notes

Other Doctoral Degree Received: EdD

Author Details

Nicole Cockerill EdD,MSN,RN,CNE,NPD-BC

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Other Graduate Paper

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Professional Development, Certification, Specialty Certification, Certification Rates, Certification Rate Improvement

Advisor

Sarah Dunsmore

Degree

Doctoral-Other

Degree Grantor

Nebraska Methodist College

Degree Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Full Text of Presentation

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