LENOX HILL HOSPITAL (NORTHWELL HEALTH)
New York, NY
Each year, NNCC gives the Advocacy Award to one unit for outstanding performance in advancing nephrology nursing certification and patient care. Applications are reviewed by the NNCC Board of Commissioners, which looks for programs and activities that support certification. The Commissioners also consider the impact the facility has on the community. The winning unit receives an engraved plaque and a check for $1,000.
FOR 2024, THIS UNIT IS LENOX HILL HOSPITAL (NORTHWELL HEALTH), NEW YORK, NY
To further honor its dedicated staff members, we spoke with Marlyn Batan, BSN RN CNN.
WHY DID YOU SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR YOUR UNIT FOR THE NNCC ADVOCACY AWARD?
I have submitted an application to share to the Renal Community, as well as the whole world the passion, dedication and expertise of my nephrology nurses. I wanted to showcase how my team is committed to excellence- by taking the nephrology certification, they can serve our communities by improving health and better patient outcomes.
WHY IS CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT TO THE NURSES IN YOUR DEPARTMENT AND YOUR FACILITY?
Being patient-centered nurses/ team, we at Lenox Hill Hospital (Northwell Health) value certification as it is a validation of competence. For us, certification verifies that a nurse has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high quality care. It demonstrates our commitment to nursing excellence to provide safe and effective hemodialysis treatment. Professional growth and development is also one of the reasons our team got certified. Pursuing certification involves additional education and training, completing CEU’s, which helps nurses stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and best practices in their field.
Certification opens up opportunities for career advancement, such as leadership roles, or specialized positions. My certified nephrology nurses are also Clinical ladders, giving them opportunity to advance their nursing skills and career while doing bedside hemodialysis.
Our team strongly values patient safety. By taking the nephrology certification exam, nurses are better equipped to provide safe and effective care to patients, which ultimately improves patient outcomes. My nurses are always being recognized by their patients through recognition letters, thanking them for the care, compassion, and excellent care they receive in Lenox Hill Hospital while receiving dialysis treatment.
Certification demonstrates a nurse’s commitment to their profession and can enhance their credibility and reputation among colleagues, patients, and to our organization, in general, Northwell Health.
Due to the complex and specialized nature of caring for patients with kidney disease and related conditions, Lenox Hill Hospital (Northwell Health) values Certification as our goal is to deliver exceptional quality to every patient during each step of the care process.
HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE YOUR NURSES TO GET CERTIFIED?
Since our team’s goal is to have an excellent patient experience and achieve better patient outcomes, we at Lenox Hill Hospital offer resources such as study materials, review courses, or access to educational programs to help nurses prepare for certification exams. The hospital provides financial incentives like reimbursement for the Nephrology Certification Exam. Also, every December, certified nurses get bonuses for achieving certification. Every March, Lenox Hill Hospital celebrates and recognizes certified nurses through awards, certificates and acknowledgment during team huddles. I personally tell the staff eligible to take the certification the professional development benefits of certification such as opportunities for career advancement, specialized training, or access to exclusive job opportunities.
DOES YOUR EMPLOYER VALUE/APPRECIATE NEPHROLOGY-NURSING CERTIFICATION? IF SO, HOW?
Lenox Hill Hospital has an annual event called Certified Nurses Day to celebrate the accomplishments of all nurses who got certified in their respective fields. Certified Nephrology Nurses can have their names published in Dialysis Gazette. Moreover, our healthcare system, Northwell Health, provides an annual monetary incentive to those nurses who keep their certification.
WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE?
Our team from Lenox Hill Hospital Dialysis will continue our journey to continuously motivate and challenge new staff members to achieve certification, and to those who are already certified, to ensure that they maintain their certification and stay current in their specialty area.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL OTHER NURSES WHO ARE CONSIDERING NEPHROLOGY-NURSING CERTIFICATION?
Certification promotes ongoing learning and a commitment to the field of Nephrology Nursing. It is a way to validate a nurse’s mastery of skills, knowledge, and abilities. In addition, employers and patients are more likely to trust a nurse who specializes in Nephrology Nursing. Nurses are in demand and yet the competition for the same job is tough. Whether it is to improve patient care, professional development, or as an added badge of achievement, just do it! You’ll feel a lot more confident and empowered. Invest in yourself!