Let's Get Certified: An Innovative National Campaign

During Nurses Week 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Nursing Services (ONS) launched an innovative campaign to increase specialty certification for its nursing workforce that resulted in a one-of-a-kind national initiative. The initiative "Let's Get Certified," currently in its third year of implementation with Phase III of the campaign, has raised the awareness of the benefits of specialty certification among the VA nursing staff. This movement has yielded a more highly educated and competent workforce, improved nurse satisfaction, and promoted quality healthcare to veterans. In early 2008 the idea for the campaign was presented to the ONS Director of Workforce Development and resulted in a nursing work group representing the 45,000 VA nurses throughout the country who provided valuable input into the development of the initial campaign.