What is your background in the medical industry, and how has your career brought you to your current role with BCEN?

Looking back over 34 years of extensive experience in the air medical industry, including 24 years in leadership roles, my journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for advancing the field through clinical innovations, research and education.

In my current role as the Senior Director of Education at Life Link III, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I have had the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape within the organization. Throughout my career, I have actively contributed to the medical transport industry’s growth by participating in clinical and leadership committees. This involvement, combined with my passion for knowledge dissemination, led to my being invited to serve as Co-Editor of the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association’s industry best-selling Patient Transport: Principles and Practices textbook, whose sixth edition is set to be published by Elsevier this spring, along with a companion book due this fall, Patient Transport: Medical Critical Care. It is incredibly gratifying to be able to put my expertise to use in a way that has impacted so many.

In addition to my professional endeavors, my commitment to the field includes volunteer efforts. Serving on the BCEN board since 2015, I have progressed from being a board member through the executive committee, and now have the privilege to serve as the Chairperson. I’m excited to have this opportunity to guide and influence critical decisions within BCEN and contribute to the organization’s overarching mission to empower emergency, trauma, transport, and burn nurses to practice at the top of their specialties.

The rigorous standards, clinical/practice/professional currency, and validity of BCEN’s exams act as a powerful tool for RNs to evaluate (and demonstrate) their knowledge, skills, and expertise; how do you encourage nurses to pursue specialty certification?

I think role modeling is the most powerful catalyst in encouraging nurses to pursue specialty certification. As a testament to the value I place on continuous learning and professional development, I have acquired numerous certifications and degrees throughout my career. By actively showcasing the benefits and impact of these credentials on my own practice, I aim to inspire fellow nurses to embark on their certification journey. In addition to role modeling, creating a supportive environment that fosters a culture of lifelong learning is pivotal. This involves openly discussing the advantages of specialty certification, both in terms of personal and professional growth. At work, at industry meetings, and at BCEN’s regional conferences, I engage in conversations with nurses and nursing students that highlight how these certifications not only enhance individual competence but also contribute to elevating the standard of care within our healthcare community.

The importance of maintaining certifications in the medical industry is well established; how often are BCEN’s certification programs and continuing education courses overhauled to ensure they are up to date with the latest innovations in nursing care?

Every year, BCEN’s certification exams undergo a review by their respective Exam Construction Review Committees (ECRC) to ensure the exams are accurate and current with the latest nursing standards. Additionally, every five years, BCEN convenes a panel of specialty subject matter experts and conducts a Role Delineation Study (RDS). The RDS process yields exam specifications that accurately reflect the scope of practice, allowing for the development of fair, accurate, and realistic certification exams.

Beyond ensuring the exams meet the highest internal standards, BCEN’s CEN, CPEN, CFRN, CTRN, and TCRN certification programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), further ensuring that BCEN’s exams meet the highest industry standards. This commitment reflects BCEN’s overall proactive approach to staying abreast of healthcare advancements and providing nurses with relevant, up-to-date certifications and continuing education.

We continuously modernize our exams to enhance the clarity and understanding of the information being assessed

How is BCEN modernizing and adapting its certifications to ensure maximum reach?

Early on in the Covid-19 pandemic, BCEN was among the first in our industry to enable nurses to take online proctored exams from any location. Today, nearly one-third of our candidates use live remote proctoring. We continuously modernize our exams to enhance the clarity and understanding of the information being assessed. This includes incorporating high-quality, vivid medical diagrams and continuous runs of waveform strips (versus a static image), for example.

Two other significant ways we’re evolving to meet the needs of emergency, trauma and transport clinicians are with the introduction of the CBRN burn nursing credential and by developing specialty-specific continuing education (CE) content, including for flight and critical care ground transport care, which we offer on our BCEN Learn online CE platform and at our US regional BCEN Learn Live conferences.

What does BCEN do to promote and celebrate nursing excellence?

BCEN actively promotes and celebrates nursing excellence through various initiatives. This includes recognizing and honoring certified nurses as well as organizations that support specialty certification through our national awards program and at conferences and special events.

BCEN also engages in partnerships and collaborations to highlight the achievements of certified nurses, fostering a sense of pride within the nursing community.

BCEN sponsors research, funds National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) scholarships for nursing students, and funds scholarships through ASTNA, the Emergency Nurses Association and the Society of Trauma

Additionally, BCEN sponsors research, funds National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) scholarships for nursing students, and funds scholarships through ASTNA, the Emergency Nurses Association and the Society of Trauma Nurses to promote education of BCEN-certified nurses and our paramedic partners who want to become nurses. We are also very active on social media showcasing the impact of certified nurses on providing high-quality patient care and contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession.

Gaining and maintaining board certification in their specialty is a great achievement for nurses; but could you share your thoughts on how employers and patients could also benefit from nurses being certified?

Gaining and maintaining board certification in their specialty is not only a significant achievement for nurses but also yields substantial benefits for employers and patients alike. Certified nurses bring elevated expertise and competence, enhancing the quality of patient care and outcomes. For employers, certification serves as a valuable standard, ensuring a workforce well-versed in the latest advancements and industry best practices. Patients benefit from the specialized knowledge and skills of certified nurses, receiving evidence-based care and personalized attention, leading to increased satisfaction and confidence in their healthcare experience. In essence, nursing certification contributes to a proficient and knowledgeable healthcare workforce, positively impacting both healthcare institutions and the individuals they serve. 

What are the greatest challenges facing US healthcare providers at the moment?

The significant challenges facing US healthcare providers include the ongoing management of Covid-19 and the aftermath of the pandemic, workforce shortages, financial strains on healthcare systems, and disparities in access to care. Covid-19 continues to result in immense pressure on healthcare facilities, leading to increased patient volumes, resource allocation challenges, and the need for adaptive strategies to address diverse populations. Workforce shortages, specifically nurses and other essential healthcare professionals, have further intensified the strain on the healthcare system. Financial challenges, coupled with the evolving landscape of healthcare policy, reimbursement models such as the No Surprises Act, and regulatory changes, also pose considerable obstacles. Additionally, addressing and reducing healthcare disparities, both in terms of access to care and health outcomes, remains a critical challenge for the US healthcare system.

Addressing these inequities requires systemic changes to ensure equal access, culturally sensitive care, and the reduction of social determinants impacting health

There is an undeniable inequity in the US healthcare system. This disparity in access to healthcare services and outcomes is rooted in socioeconomic factors. Individuals with lower incomes or belonging to marginalized communities often face barriers such as limited access to quality healthcare facilities, transportation challenges, and inadequate health insurance coverage. This results in delayed or inadequate medical care, leading to poorer health outcomes. Additionally, certain populations may experience a lack of culturally competent care, contributing to disparities in preventive measures and disease management. Addressing these inequities requires systemic changes to ensure equal access, culturally sensitive care, and the reduction of social determinants impacting health.

Covid-19 has had a dramatic effect on recruitment in healthcare settings; what evidence are you seeing that nurses are benefiting from increased pay and choices for their employment?

Covid-19 has had a dramatic and, in many cases, devastating effect on emergency and critical care nurses and the emergency nursing workforce. In the aftermath of the pandemic and considering the nursing shortage, hospitals are offering incentives such as higher pay rates and large signing bonuses. We’re hopeful the lessons learned coming out of the pandemic will include not only a greater appreciation of the contributions of nurses but also greater investments in nursing professional development, as that will contribute to attracting and retaining high-quality clinicians.