March 20, 2019 | NLN CEO Update on Certification Day and NLN Day on the Hill

We're one day late, colleagues, but it's really never too late to say congratulations. Although Certified Nurses Day is celebrated each year on March 19 and today is the 20^th, I like to use the occasion, and the NLN Member Update, to congratulate our members who are certified as academic nurse educators by the NLN. Now there are nearly 7,000 of you who proudly use the credential CNE. And this year, for the very first time, there are nearly 100 of you who are certified as academic clinical nurse educators — who now use the credential CNEcl.

As you may imagine, I am excited and proud that we now recognize academic clinical nursing education as a specialty area of practice, with educators having specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as excellence in clinical teaching. Our road to certification was thoughtful, deliberate, and carefully accomplished. We formed a task group to analyze the literature, developed role competencies and task statements for review and feedback by the NLN community, and developed a practice analysis that was validated by experts — all before developing certification test items and two forms of an exam for pilot testing. The inaugural cohort took the examination for the CNEcl at last year's celebration of the NLN's 125^th year as the first US nursing organization. I must admit that I'm still glowing from last year's Summit. It was simply one of the most exciting NLN Education Summits ever, and of course it was in Chicago, where we started. Colleagues, as they say, the rest is history.

If you are an academic clinical nurse educator no matter your title (clinical faculty, part-time faculty, adjunct faculty, preceptor, clinical instructor) and you desire the recognition that comes with certification, please review the information on the NLN website. There is detailed information about exam preparation and self-assessment and everything you need to get started. And note, we are offering a full day preparation course on July 19, to be taught by Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, editor of Clinical Nurse Educator Competencies: Creating an Evidence-Based Practice for Academic Clinical Nurse Educators. This book is your authoritative source for understanding the competencies and tasks needed to confidently guide students through learning experiences in clinical settings and produce competent nurses ready for practice.

By the way, if you are wondering why we celebrate the certification of nurses on March 19, that is the birthday of the inspiration behind the certification of nurses, former American Nurses Association president Margretta "Gretta" Madden Styles. Dr. Styles died in 2005 but she will always be remembered for establishing national standards for certifying nurses in pediatrics, cardiology, and other medical specialties. Gretta was incredible. She once gave a speech demanding that we nurses "march." She was a fantastic role model who commandeered all of us to raise the bar of excellence.

With this in mind, the NLN has raised the bar, and we are so proud that we have established nursing education as an additional specialty area of practice. And each year at this time, as we plan for the next NLN Education Summit, we know that we must order additional red bags for the growing number of attendees with the CNE and new CNEcl. This is our small way to help you stand out from the crowd, while encouraging those of us who have not yet earned the red bag to march, raising the bar of nursing education excellence. (The Summit this year is September 26 – 28 in Washington, DC. Hold the date — registration will open soon.)

Now let me call your attention to an area of grave concern, that is, the federal investment in nursing education. Last week the President released a budget proposal that cuts $166 million of 2019 enacted funding for Title VIII nursing programs, programs that are crucial for the training of entry-level and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The NLN issued a statement strongly opposing the budget proposal, which NLN president Dr. Rumay Alexander points out is "counterintuitive to producing a high quality nursing workforce ready to meet the health care needs of the 21st century." Members of the NLN Board of Governors and the Public Policy Committee will meet with Congressional representatives and advocate for nursing education during the 2019 #NLNVoices Day on the Hill and we will continue to make our views and bold advocacy known, but we need your help. Therefore, we are instituting a "virtual day" for NLN members who want to participate via email and/or Twitter. All you need to do is register, and on May 1, you will be sent a link to pre-crafted emails and Twitter posts that you can send to your Congressional members. Without hurting your feet — and I can assure you that really happens on the Hill — you can join us from the comfort of your computer or mobile device, removing your shoes in solidarity.

If you cannot participate on May 1, don't worry. There will be multiple opportunities to interact with Congressional members during Congressional recess periods this summer. To learn how to maximize your #NLNVoices during a Congressional recess, we are offering a one-hour webinar, free for members, on April 29 at 3:00 pm EDT. Individuals at all levels of advocacy experience, including nurse leaders and nursing students, are encouraged to attend. Christine Murphy, NLN director for public policy and advocacy, will take you through issues important to nursing education and present tips for participating in Town Hall meetings. As constituents, we have an important voice — but it is always best to be prepared. Christine is a gift to the NLN. Catch her Capitol Connection, published regularly the first week of every month. And don't forget that nurses are a gift to the world.

Before I close, let me acknowledge those of you who reside in the Midwest who are being impacted by severe flooding. Our thoughts are with you. So, too, we are concerned about the cyclone happening in southern Africa that has killed so many. And, of course, we are thinking of the victims of last Friday's horrific massacre in New Zealand. While this attack targeted Muslims, we have watched with concern a steady uptick in hate crimes against members of many groups. There is no place for such actions in our diverse society, and it is incumbent on our leaders to temper their rhetoric and call for inclusivity and acceptance of others — acts against any group are against us all. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, and we thank the nurses, physicians, first providers, and law enforcement officers who responded bravely and saved many lives.

Thank you, colleagues, for all you do for nursing education and the health of our nation and the global community.

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Next Issue of the NLN Member Update: Wednesday, April 3, 2019. View previous issues of NLN Member Update »