An Innovative Online Approach to Certification Success

Certification is an important aspect of nursing practice, contributing to clinical nursing performance, satisfaction, and improved health care outcomes. Emergency, trauma, and transport nurses seek certification to validate and advance their professional practice. Despite its importance, traditional certification preparation interventions can be resource and time intensive. This paper presents an innovative online strategy successfully implemented and replicated to increase trauma certified registered nurse (TCRN) and critical care registered nurse (CCRN®) rates in a regional level 1 trauma center in the mid-Atlantic. Developed by a frontline nurse, with a focus on accessibility and flexibility, an online platform promoted virtual collaboration, facilitated quick communication, and enabled access to numerous resources in one place. Led by local subject matter experts, 1-hour live and recorded study group sessions were held every other week reviewing key examination blueprint content. The content presentation was followed by group study question practice and case study discussions. The certification strategy initially resulted in 12 inpatient nurses earning TCRN and 18 inpatient nurses earning CCRN®. The program was replicated for trauma certified registered nurse certification review across a 6-hospital health system. The program was awarded the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing National Certification Champion Award - Large Healthcare Organization category in 2023. The success of this approach demonstrates its potential for broader applications across various health care settings. Organizations seeking to enhance their certification rates may benefit from adopting this toolkit, which offers a structured and supportive pathway for nurses to achieve professional growth and improve outcomes.