Perceptions of Structural Empowerment: Differences Between Nationally Certified Perinatal Nurses and Perinatal Nurses Who Are Not Nationally Certified

Abstract

Although there has been previous research linking perceptions of empowerment to specialty certification among critical care nurses, no research in this area has been conducted among nationally certified perinatal nurses. A comparative quantitative survey design was used. Participants included 80 perinatal registered nurses from one community hospital in New York. Registered nurses who were nationally certified in a perinatal specialty had higher total empowerment scores and higher scores on five of the six subscales. This study supports the results of previous studies focused on differences in empowerment among nationally certified nurses and nurses without national certification. Because much of the preparation for certification is done within continuing education, nurse leaders must be cognizant of the value of certification and must develop and implement programs to support certification in the workplace.