Rheumatology Nurse Certification Through Portfolio

(click for larger image) TABLE 2: Application Process

Applicants can submit their applications from their home or office. “Portfolios are completed through an ANCC online application system that is easily accessible, and candidates can work on their portfolios at whatever time is most convenient for them,” she says. Table 2 (left) provides resources on the application process.

The credential is awarded to candidates who successfully pass the portfolio evaluation process, and once awarded, the certification remains valid for five years, according to Ms. Careaga, who adds that certification renewal through portfolio follows the standard ANCC certification renewal requirements and requires no further portfolio submission.

Take-Home Message

“Rheumatology nurses will find the Certification Through Portfolio process an enriching experience,” says Ms. Careaga, who emphasizes that the process allows for self-reflection and the ability of the nurse to share her or his “unique knowledge, skills and experience in their professional practice within the current scopes and standards of the specialty.”

Dr. Schlenk says the portfolio process is a way for nurses to demonstrate competency in their specialty, and show commitment to personal and professional growth and a desire to improve the lives of patients. “The credential may be used in the clinical setting as part of a clinical ladder for promotion,” she adds, saying it is respected in academic and nursing communities.

Mary Beth Nierengarten is a freelance medical journalist based in Minneapolis.

Reference

1. American Nurses Credentialing Center. ANCC and RNS Announce Board Certification for Rheumatology Nursing. Press Release. 2016 Feb 29.