Grass roots initiation of a national certification initiative: peer-to-peer motivation

Despite multiple organizational incentives, the neonatal ICU (NICU) in an urban teaching hospital remained below the national average for certified nurses. A peer-to-peer program was developed to motivate, support, and encourage participants throughout the process of obtaining a national specialty certification. A detailed promotion campaign, certification packet, and process map were developed and implemented. At completion of this first-year initiative, the program yielded a 38% increase in certified unit nurses. The organization's unit total is now 59% of eligible certified neonatal nurses, well above the national average.