Nurses who have specialty certifications

Beginning today, all ANCC-certified specialty nurses will receive the credential RN-BC,

defined as Registered Nurse, Board Certified; this replaces a differentiation between the

RN,C and RN,BC credentials.

The next generation credential will be reflected on new certifications and renewals.

Effective immediately, all ANCC-certified specialty nurses may use the new credential

for their professional documentation; however previously issued certificates remain valid and will not be replaced until renewal.

The new credentials, signifying that all ANCCcertified nurses are board-certified, are meant to simplify, clarify and unify professional credentials. The decision to announce next generation certification credentials was based in part on feedback received from nearly 3,000 ANCC-certified nurses who participated in a survey, in which over 75% approved this change.

With the introduction of the new credential, there will no longer be a difference in

credentials based on education. Now, all specialty-certified nurses will receive the RNBC credential.

To me this is progress big time!