March 19, 2008

Newburgh, NY—National Nurses’ Certification Day, March 19, is being celebrated at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital with twice the gusto— at two receptions at Newburgh and Cornwall honoring 86 R.N.s who have earned certification in their specialties. Specialties include: Certified Emergency Room Nurse, Certified Nephrology Nurse, Certified Critical Care Nurse, Certified Medical/Surgical Nurse, Certified Oncology Nurse and Certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse.

“We are extremely proud of the high life-long learning standards and the expertise of our nursing staff, “ said Joan E. Cusack-McGuirk, R.N., Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “ Today we applaud the nurses receiving certifications and achieving expert status in their specialties. Their continual professional development adds immeasurably the quality of patient care at SLCH.”

The 86 nurses receiving certification represent a 200 % increase over the 21 receiving them in 2003 when St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital began its program to encourage such training and accreditation.

Certification is a national credential given only to registered nurses after passing coursework and examinations in their specialties. Of all R.N.s, only one fifth to one sixth hold a national certification.