UCI Health intensive care nurses earn stroke certification
May 28, 2015
Neurosciences intensive care unit nurses Rosemarie Murillo and Nilfy Cooper.
Thanks to advances in acute intervention, more patients are surviving strokes and require specialized nursing care. UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center nurses Nilfy Cooper and Rosemarie Murillo recently earned the Stroke Care Registered Nurse® credential, in recognition of the necessary skills, knowledge and experience unique to the practice of stroke care.
Established by the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses through the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing in 2012, only 1,300 registered nurses in the country have earned this certification. Studies have shown there is a direct relationship between nursing credentials and higher survival rates of patients in critical condition.
“Nurses are typically the primary agents of patient care, so it should not be surprising that there is a direct link between nursing staff and patient outcomes,” said Janice White, nurse manager for neuroscience ICU.
The UCI Health nursing education department offers free classes to help nurses prepare for the exam, and also reimburses the cost of taking the exam for those who earn the Stroke Care credential.
“It is very important for us to remain at the forefront of advances in care, which is why we are putting our resources into helping our nurses complete this specialized certification,” White said. “This reflects our commitment to providing the best care possible for our stroke patients.”
Nurses Cooper and Murillo want patients and their families to feel confident in the care they receive at UCI Health.
“I got this certification because we owe it to our patients to deliver the best care, and to be the best we can be,” Cooper said.
“We treat the sickest of the sick, and I wanted to make sure our patients are well taken care of,” Murillo said.
“Nilfy and Rosemarie are showing great initiative and leadership in being the first to achieve this certification,” White said. “Our goal is to have 30 percent of our staff earn this credential in the next 12 months.”
The Stroke Care credential is valid for five years. Both Cooper and Murillo plan to maintain their certification through specialized continuing education.
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