Why Become a Certified Nurse?

You may ask yourself, “What is the point of holding a certification in my area of specialty?” When I was a younger nurse at the bedside, I asked the same question. I worked with a nurse who became certified in progressive care nursing. At first, I thought I already knew everything I needed to know as a staff RN in this area. I had been doing the job for about 15 years and felt pretty confident in my role—or so I thought. Looking back, I realize I was only confident in the day-to-day activities and tasks. I didn’t truly understand the “why” behind the care I was providing.

Shortly after, I transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I was inspired by the skill and knowledge of the nursing staff and doctors, and I wanted to learn more. I aspired to perform at their level, so I made the decision to study for certification in critical care. Taking on challenges is part of my nature, so I scheduled the certified critical care RN (CCRN) test eight weeks out. I committed to studying for two hours every day. Even on those long 13-hour shifts in the ICU—when studying was the last thing I wanted to do—I held myself accountable. At the time, there was only one other nurse in the unit who held a certification. She not only offered to help but also set up a small study group. I will never forget her—she was patient, knowledgeable, and passionate about teaching. Thanks to her support and my dedication, I passed the exam on my first try!

Did it make a difference? Absolutely. As I rounded with the intensivists in the ICU, I fully understood the “why” behind the treatments—not just the tasks. I was able to connect the dots by gaining a deeper understanding of human anatomy and physiology at a critical care level. More importantly, I was able to implement evidence-based practices I had learned during my preparation.

Fast forward a few years—when I transitioned into leadership roles, I wanted to ensure I was a subject-matter expert for the teams I led. I became certified in medical-surgical nursing and nurse executive leadership when I was promoted to chief nursing officer. Whether you are a staff nurse or in a leadership position, certification will provide you with invaluable knowledge and challenge you to learn and grow. At the end of the day, your certification benefits you—no one can take that knowledge away from you, and it will set you up for success in future endeavors. More importantly, by committing to practicing at the top of your license, your patients benefit the most. 

I encourage all nurses to consider obtaining certification in their specialty and wish you well on your journey to professional and clinical excellence! 
 

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Nicole Sewell, CMSRN, CCRN, NE-BC

Nicole Sewell, CMSRN, CCRN, NE-BC is Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services for Garnet Health Medical Center. She is responsible for all nursing clinical operations.

Ms. Sewell started her career at Arden Hill Hospital in 1990 as a registered nurse and has more than 30 years combined experience caring for patients in many areas such as Medical-Surgical, Oncology, Progressive Care and Critical Care.

Throughout her tenure with the organization, Ms. Sewell has held several nursing leadership positions and has been instrumental in several projects, most notably establishing the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) in collaboration with Nursing Professional Development, frontline staff and the ICU medical leadership team. She has served as Secretary and Chair of the Nursing Leadership Advisory Council, Chair of the Garnet Health Community Committee and has led projects such as Nurse Leader Mentorship and Food Insecurity and assisted in the implementation of the Garnet Health Medical Center Nursing Assistant Program in 2021. She is also an adjunct Nursing Instructor for Orange County Community College and is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Ms. Sewell also served as a member of the team that managed the Garnet Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic program. Ms. Sewell holds a Master's Degree in Nursing Administration and earned certifications in Med-Surg (CMSRN), Critical Care (CCRN) and Nurse Executive (NE-BC).