Abstracts

Rationale: Certification in nursing is a formal recognition of specialized knowledge, skills, and expertise in an identified specialty. The American Board of Nursing Specialties endorses the value of specialty certification, stating that “the increasingly complex patient/client needs within the current healthcare delivery system, are best met when registered nurses, certified in specialty practice, provide nursing care.” For nurses working in Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers the only specialty certification available to them is the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN). This is a comprehensive certification covering neuroscience care across the spectrum and is not specific to epilepsy. In fact, only 30% of items on the examination are dedicated to chronic neurologic disorders which includes epilepsy. Due to this gap in specialty certification for epilepsy patients the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) and The American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN) sought to assess if certification development would provide a meaningful contribution to the nursing care of these patients.

Methods: To complete gap analysis an online survey was utilized and sent to 10,251 AANN customers. Survey was sent via email and completion was incentivized with the use of an Amazon gift card drawing. Survey was open for 7 days. Following completion of the survey descriptive statistical analysis was completed of the results. In addition, a cost analysis was completed to assess certification versus alternative programs.

Results: Of the 10,251 surveys sent 664 (6%) responded. Of those respondents 72% said they would take an epilepsy certification exam and stated that personal growth was the primary reason to complete this examination. Cost analysis demonstrates a nearly 10-fold difference in cost of certification versus alternative programs with certification development averaging $300,000 and alternative program development costing about $35,000.

Conclusions: While respondents to the survey express interest in the formal certification process given the low response rate to the survey the number of nurses interested in completing this certification would be low. Based on cost of certification development it is likely that this would lead to significant financial burden without benefit for the developing organization. Therefore, development of alternative epilepsy education program is recommended at this time.

Funding: Please list any funding that was received in support of this abstract.: N/A.