Board-Certified Nurses Honored for Meeting Challenges of Modern Nursing

In the increasingly complex world of healthcare, board certification of nurses plays a vital role in delivering high standards of care for patients and their loved ones. While a registered nurse (RN) license provides a strong foundation for general nursing practice, certification affirms advanced knowledge, skill and practice to meet the challenges of modern nursing.

On March 19, celebrated worldwide Certified Nurses Day by honoring the hospital’s 39 board-certified nurses. Representing 12 different areas of specialty, the nurses were recognized for their professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence in patient care.

“The knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive education, as well as a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.” said Stuart Downs, Chief Nursing Officer for North Fulton Hospital. “We are proud to honor these hardworking, dedicated nurses for their professionalism and dedication.”

Although specific requirements vary according to a nurse's area of specialty, each nurse seeking certification must pass a rigorous test that often requires additional academic and clinical preparation. Once certification is achieved, nurses must earn continuing education units (CEUs) and work a certain number of clinical hours to maintain their status.

“North Fulton Hospital encourages national board certification for all its nurses,” said Downs. “And patients are encouraged to inquire whether there are certified nurses on staff when they visit a hospital or their primary care provider.”

Nursing certification specialties such as medical-surgical, pediatric, pain management, cardiac vascular, oncology, hospice, case management, emergency nursing, and critical care, among others, are overseen by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and the National Organization for Competence Assurance (NOCA).

The board-certified nurses honored at the March 19 event are:

Certified in Emergency Nursing (CEN)

Joan Birzes, RN, MSN, CEN, Emergency Department

Sally Whitelock, RN, BSN, CEN, Emergency Department

Temptie Knapp, RN, CEN, Emergency Department

Margy Nelson, RN, BSN, CEN, Emergency Department

Certified in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN)

Katherine Plitnick, RN, PhD, CCRN, Emergency Department

Karen Johnstone, RN, BSN, CCRN, Intensive Care Unit

Kelly Watnes, RN, BSN, CCRN, Intensive Care Unit

Cindy White, RN, MSN, CCRN, Intensive Care Unit

Eric Zeliski, RN, BSN, CCRN, Intensive Care Unit

Certified in Operative Nursing (CNOR)

Lisa Buckner, RN, CNOR, Operating Room

Denise Hardman, RN, CEN, CNOR, Operating Room

Julia Pastor, RN, CNOR, Operating Room

Certified in Rehab Nursing (CRRN)

Susan Myers, RN, CRRN, Cardiac Rehab

Bonnie Gould, RN, CRRN, Case Management

Cathy Gebhardt, RN, PhD, CRRN, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

Chi Chang, RN, BSN, CRRN, Rehab Nursing Unit

Bret Hodgin, RN, BSN, CRRN, Rehab Nursing Unit

Certified in Med-Surg Nursing (RN-C)

Maria Galula, RN, BSN, RN-C, Rehab Nursing Unit

Certified in Labor & Delivery (RN-C)

Linda Farrow, RN-C, Labor & Delivery

Nancy Fishler, RN, BSN, RN-C, Labor & Delivery

Connie Raad, RN-C, Labor & Delivery

Carol Papka, RN-C, Labor & Delivery

Anne Benedict, RN-C, Labor & Delivery

Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)

Stuart Downs, RN, MSN, CENP, Administration

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Virginia Hawk, APRN, CNM, Labor & Delivery

Certified in Case Management (CCM)

Carla Grove, RN, BSN, CCM, Case Management Department

Hassenah Jones, RN, BSN, CCM, Case Management Department

Susan Jones, RN, BSN, CCM, Case Management Department

Simone Picou, RN, MS, CCM, Case Management Department

Mary Helen Mele, RN, CCM, CCS, Case Management Department

Maureen Blum, RN, CCM, Case Management Department

Chryste Middleton, RN, BSN, CCM, Case Management Department

Susan McCall, RN, BSN, CCM, Case Management Department

Certified in Neonatal Nursing (RNC-NIC)

Sylvia Curl, RNC-NIC, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Gayle Rusk, RNC-NIC, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Barbara Smith, RN, NNP-BC, RNC-NIC, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP-C)

Barbara Norvell, RN, MSN, NP-C, Enterostomy

Certified in Progressive Care (PCCN)

Lakshmi Shridharan, RN, BSN, PCCN, Surgical Nursing Unit

Elizabeth Steelman, RN, PCCN, Cardiology Nursing Unit

To learn more about North Fulton Hospital, visit them online.