In addition to celebrating registered nurses during National Nurses’ Week and National Nurses’ Day in May, Memorial Hermann Health System honors its certified nurses in March on National Certified Nurses’ Day.
What is a Certified Nurse? A nurse who earns and maintains the highest credentials in their specialty. Certification affirms advanced knowledge, skill and practice to meet the challenges of modern nursing.
Why is a Certified Nurse something I should care about? Similar to national board certifications for physicians, nurses earning national board certifications in their nursing specialty can help contribute to quality care and better patient outcomes.
Are certifications required? No. Professional certification is a voluntary designation earned by individuals who demonstrate a level of competency, skill and knowledge in their field.
Why is Certified Nurses’ Day™, March 19? It’s the birthday of Dr. Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, RN, EdD, FAAN, a leader in the field of nursing according to the American Nurse Credentialing Center. She recognized the critical importance of credentialing before broad awareness of its value, and her work created a global impact on the nursing profession.
What are other nursing days of recognition? National Nurses' Week is May 6 - 12, with May 12 being National Nurses' Day and the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
Learn more about Memorial Hermann nursing and other career opportunities.
Learn more about Memorial Hermann's commitment to nursing education.