In January, Sunnyview held a celebration ceremony to recognize five RNs who recently received certification in rehabilitation nursing. Congratulations to Nancy Alexaitis, Crystal Kane, Denise Thomsen, Megan Schienberg and Patrick Burke for achieving this prestigious symbol of professional development.

According to Rosann DeMeo, vice president, patient care services, “Nurses who achieve the Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) credential demonstrate knowledge, experience and commitment to excellence in comprehensive care for people with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses.” She noted that the CRRN credential has been a widely accepted and trusted nursing certification for more than 25 years.

“We are especially proud that this brings the total number of CRRNs at Sunnyview to 31, a very impressive number,” she added.

The CRRN certification program is administered by the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) and is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Specialty Nursing Certification. Nurses seeking certification must have two years of practice as a registered nurse in a rehabilitation setting and must pass an exam validating a documented level of knowledge of rehabilitation nursing practice.

Why Certification?

According to research conducted by the American Journal of Nursing (2001), certified nurses reported feeling more confident in their ability to detect early signs and symptoms of complications, and were better able to initiate early and prompt interventions. According to the same study, certified nurses also reported more personal growth and job satisfaction. Another study, published in Rehabilitation Nursing (2007) found a correlation between the percentage of registered nurses certified in rehabilitation
nursing at a facility and a reduction in patient length of stay.