The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) announced today the winners of the 2010 CNA Employer Recognition Award. This prestigious prize honours employers who have shown an exceptional commitment to supporting registered nurses (RNs) pursuing national certification in a range of nursing specialties.
As part of an established national certification program, CNA offers voluntary certification in English and French to registered nurses. Specialty areas include, for example, perinatal, oncology, community health, gerontology, emergency, nephrology and medical-surgical nursing.
"Nursing practice is becoming increasingly specialized and complex, and it is imperative that RNs keep in step with the latest developments. There are over 15,600 nurses in Canada who have earned their nationally recognized certification credential - an assurance that they are at the top of their game in their specialized field," says CNA president Kaaren Neufeld. "RNs across the country proudly wear their certification pin as a badge of honour - and rightly so!"
Many employers seek out CNA-certified nurses in their recruitment campaigns because they see the benefit in building a workforce of RNs who are officially recognized as qualified, competent and current. Employers' active participation in CNA's certification program shows their commitment to patient safety and to creating a work environment that promotes continuing competence and excellence in patient care.
The Jewish General Hospital in Montreal takes this year's top prize for their outstanding support of RNs who wish to earn a certification credential. The institution provides funding for enrolment, study days and examinations, as well as a luncheon to celebrate RNs who achieve certification. The hospital also supports nurses who renew their credentials through continuing education opportunities as well as nurses who are active in developing certification exams.
"We know that supporting our nurses in CNA certification is supporting them in achieving nursing practice goals as well as career goals - and both are a priority in our hospital. We are very honoured to receive this recognition," said Lynne McVey, Director of Nursing at the Jewish General Hospital.
Honourable mentions were awarded to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, and Lakeridge Health in Oshawa. These employers show exceptional commitment in supporting RNs in their certification and renewal activities - through, for example, providing resources and paid time off for study, encouraging certified nurses to become mentors, and giving free access to equipment and electronic tools - and were close contenders for the top award.
CNA also honours employers who usher in innovations in support of RNs' pursuit of certification. This year's innovation award recipients are CSSS Drummond, Hôpital Sainte-Croix in Drummondville, Quebec, which gave outstanding support to its first nurse to obtain certification; and Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital, which incorporates CNA certification in their three-year Professional Development Pathway.
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