Farewell, New Leadership, and Exciting Initiatives Ahead
Certification Central President’s Message, December 2023
Season’s greetings, happy holidays, and Happy New Year. Doesn’t it seem like 2023 just started? I know it flew by for me. The end of the year also marks the end of my role as president of MSNCB. This pas year has been a great experience that I will treasure. I am looking forward to 2024 and watching all of the great things MSNCB has in store.
Effective January 1, your new MSNCB president will be Jessica Tully, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CNML, CENP, Director of Medical-Surgical Nursing Division at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, TX. Jessica has been on the board for the past five years and she is a passionate leader that values what certification has to offer for nurses and patients. I have no doubt she will be phenomenal in the role.
It is also time to say goodbye to two current board members whose terms also expire on December 31, 2023 - Cathryn Kelly and Kim Lipsey.
Cathryn is the Administrator of Quality and Value Based Care for Lehigh Valley Physician Group in the Lehigh Valley Health Network and Kim is the Coordinator for Education Services for HIS at the Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Both have been invaluable to the board and we cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for the MSNCB. While they will be missed, I know we will see them again in some capacity for AMSN or MSNCB!
Looking back on this year, I cannot believe all that we have accomplished! We completed the practice analysis, which led to changes in the certification exam and the test blueprint. This is incredibly important as it assures that the certification exam is matching current nursing practice. Thank you to everyone who participated in the practice analysis.
We also completed our successful transition to a new association management company. Smithbucklin has been wonderful to partner with, and we foresee a long future with this new and amazing team.
We also have started the process for our soon to be released new credential, the Certified Acute Virtual Nurse (CAVRN). We will be conducting the beta testing soon with the goal to officially launch the exam in the summer of 2024. The details will be shared with you as we make progress towards that goal.
We have also started the exploration on recertification and how we can make that more meaningful for the certificants. This involves looking at continuing competence for the certificants, the recertification period, and a host of other parts to the process. The work will continue through 2024, and we will share the details with you as we move forward.
As you head into the holiday season I encourage you to take the time to celebrate and spend time with family and loved ones. Reflect upon all of the positive changes that came your way for 2023. Set goals and make plans for 2024. Continue doing the great work you do for yourselves, your patients, and each other. Take time to honor you for all you do for medical-surgical nursing.