Certification Defined
ABPANC has adopted the following definition of certification as defined by the American Board of Nursing Specialties: Certification is the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, an experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes. (ABNS, 2003. Retrieved March 10, 2005 from www.nursingcertification.org) The CPAN® (Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse) and CAPA® (Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse) certification programs validate the knowledge and experience of registered nurses caring for patients receiving anesthesia as well as sedation and analgesia. While state licensure provides the legal authority for an individual to practice professional nursing, private voluntary certification, as sponsored by ABPANC, reflects achievement of a standard beyond licensure for specialty nursing practice. CPAN® or CAPA® certification validates the knowledge and experience required to care for patients in the perianesthesia setting. The CPAN® and CAPA® credentials, granted to qualified registered nurses by ABPANC, are registered service marks. Registered nurses who have not achieved CPAN® and/or CAPA® certification status are not authorized to use these credentials. Over 7,000 nurses caring for perianesthesia patients are currently CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified! Both the CPAN® and CAPA® certification programs were granted accreditation by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) in April 2004. Accreditation status is granted for five years. |
