From the President's Desk
Certification vs. Certificate - LNCC
 Patricia
Iyer MSN RN LNCC, President of Med League Support Services,
has been certified as a
legal nurse consultant since 1999.
People often ask, “What
is the difference between certification and a certificate?”
The LNCC (Legal Nurse Consultant Certified) certification
is similar to the certification awarded to trial attorneys.
It recognizes the experienced practitioner. The LNCC certification
program has met rigorous industry standards. By setting
and enforcing standards for certification, the American
Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) seeks
to protect the public and consumers through their mission
to provide assurance to the public that the nurse holding
the credential from an accredited certification program
possesses the knowledge, skills and competency for quality
practice in the specialty.
| LNCC
is the only legal nurse consulting credential recognized
by AALNC and accredited by ABNS. |
In compliance with ABNS standards
and requirements, the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification
Board legal nurse consultant professionals through the LNCC
program. Unlike many certificate programs being offered by
colleges and private educational providers, the LNCC program
is practice-based. It is not intended to teach individuals
how to become legal nurse consultants. Rather, it is designed
to measure an individual’s “knowledge-in-use”
– the application of knowledge and skills by those with
real-life experience in this role.
| Certification |
Certificate |
| Results
from an assessment process that recognizes an individual's
knowledge, skills and competency in a particular specialty |
Results
from an educational process |
| Typically
requires professional experience |
For
newcomers and experienced professionals |
| Awarded
by a third-party, standard-setting organization, typically
not for profit |
Awarded
by educational programs or institutions often for-profit |
Indicates
mastery/competency as measured
against a defensible set of standards, usually by application
or exam |
Indicates
completion of a course or series of courses with a specific
focus (different than a degree granting program) |
| Standards
set through a defensible, industry-wide process (job
analysis/role delineation) that results in an outline
of required knowledge and skills |
Course
content determined by the specific provider or institution,
not standardized |
| Typically
results in credentials to be listed after one’s
name (LNCC, ONC, CCRN) |
Usually
listed on a resume detailing
education |
Has
on-going requirements in order to
maintain; holder must demonstrate he/she
continues to meet requirements |
Demonstrates
knowledge
of course content at the end of a set period
in time |
Certification
generally refers to an earned credential that demonstrates
the holder’s specialized knowledge, skills, and experience.
Certification differs from a certificate program, which
is usually an educational offering that confers a document
at the program’s conclusion.
LNCC
is the only legal nurse consulting credential recognized
by AALNC and accredited by ABNS. See
also the AANLC Certification
Board's position statement on certification.
Some
content adapted from Certified Fund Raising Executives International
- www.cfre.org
|
