Hospital honors 66 professionals on Saturday's Certified Nurses Day

Published March 16, 2011
By Maj. Amber Barker
81st Inpatient Operations Squadron

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Medical Group Hospital celebrates Certified Nurses Day Saturday by honoring its 66 board-certified nurses.

"Board certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients and their loved ones," according to Col. Allison Plunk, 81st MDG chief nurse. "Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex. While a registered nurse license provides entry to general nursing practice, the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive education, as well as a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.

"The 81st MDG Hospital encourages national board certification for all its nurses," she continued. "Patients are encouraged to inquire whether there are certified nurses on staff when they visit a hospital or their primary-care provider."

There are many nursing certification specialties such as medical-surgical, pediatric, pain management, cardiovascular, oncology, hospice, case management, emergency nursing and critical care.

"Many nursing certification bodies exist to serve the full range of specialized nursing care offered in the contemporary health-care system," Colonel Plunk noted. "National nurse certifying bodies should be accredited by either the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification or the National Organization for Competence Assurance or both."

Hospital honors 66 professionals on Saturday’s Certified Nurses Day