Professionalism and Authentic Leadership

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Success Pays Program Launched at Montlake Campus

Purpose of the program:

The purpose of the Certification Support Program is to encourage and support nursing staff in obtaining and maintaining specialty certification. By investing in certification, the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) aims to strengthen clinical competence, enhance professional development, and promote high-quality, safe patient care. This program supports nurses in advancing their expertise, which contributes to improved patient outcomes and reinforces UWMC’s commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.

Why do we care about certification at UWMC?

UWMC is committed to promoting excellence in nursing practice by supporting nurses in their professional growth and development. UWMC recognizes that specialty certification reflects advanced clinical knowledge, professional commitment, and dedication to evidence–based practice.

Common barriers to specialty certification include limited study time, high exam fees, the cost of reviewing courses, and lack of knowledge about the certification process. To help reduce these barriers, UWMC has partnered with the American Nurses Credentialing Center through its Success Pays Program to support nurses in their journey toward achieving specialty certification.

The Success Pays Program helps reduce financial and emotional barriers that can contribute to stress and test anxiety by allowing eligible applicants to retake a certification exam at no additional cost if needed. Through this program, UWMC aims to expand access to certification opportunities and support nurses in achieving their professional goals.

Certification results from April 2025-April 2026 using Success Pays Program

Left-to-right bar graph showing four categories and associated values: applied with a value of 75, Not Tested Yet with a value of 30, Taking second time with a value of 6, and Certifications Issued with a value of 24. Table showing four specialties and the number of certifications issued for each specialty. Medical-Surgical: 15, Ambulatory: 6, Psychiatric-Mental Health: 3, Cardiac-Vascular Nursing: 2. Total for all specialties: 26.

Key observations:

Nurse testimonies on how seeking nursing specialty certification will affect their practice

"The process of obtaining a nursing specialty certification requires commitment to strengthen current clinical knowledge and decision-making skill sets."

"CMSRN certification will demonstrate my nursing knowledge and skills to provide best quality patient care. Moreover, it gives me an opportunity to continue nursing education and advance my career."

"For me getting med-surg certification is one step of professional development. It is helping me to build confidence in working in an acute care setting. I think this specialized course will help me to organize patient care in safe and effective way."

Two nurses holding a PTAP accreditation award

PTAP Accreditation

In February 2025, University of Washington Medical Center’s Transition to Practice Program (TTP) was accredited as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs. Earning this accreditation required demonstrating compliance with 37 standards across five key domains: program leadership, program goals and outcome measures, organizational enculturation, development and design, and practice-based learning. This recognition reflects months of rigorous work done in true partnership with Nursing Professional Development, unit leaders, subject matter experts, and educators. Each played a vital role in bringing this program to the standard of excellence ANCC accreditation represents.

Among the program highlights recognized by ANCC were our standardized Tiered Skill Acquisition Model, consistently implemented across the organization and used effectively by preceptors, educators, and operational leaders to drive competency identification aligned with scope and standards of practice. Operational leaders serving as identified “TTP Leads” in each department were credited with driving engagement and accountability. Program leaders received special recognition from peers, colleagues, and leaders for their evidence-based, transformational approach. This accreditation affirms our ongoing commitment to excellence in nurse transition support, and we look forward to continuing to grow and strengthen this program for every new graduate who joins our team.

Resource Team Specialty Training

This past year was a year of expansion and nursing professional development within the Resource Team. This past year, the UWMC Northwest Resource team launched a new Specialty Training initiative. Historically, the NW Resource Team supported the inpatient acute care units along with other outpatient, procedural and specialty care areas. With limited training and education, we identified challenges in scope and patient care through feedback across the Resource Team and these specialty teams. From there, the Resource Team developed a new training and education plan and redesigned orientation to the ED, CBC, ICU, Oncology and Psych units. With this, each Resource Team RN was given the opportunity to select one specialty area and received additional formal unit orientation, education and certifications. At the end of the year, almost all Resource Team RNs have been cross-trained or in progress of completing training.

Through this new redesign, we were able to empower the Resource Team nurses to expand their professional nursing practice. Not only did this help them feel more comfortable and confident in their nursing skills and knowledge to care for these patient populations, but this gave them additional insight in growth opportunities in their professional development and nursing career. On an organizational perspective, this allowed for greater Resource Team support to these specialty units. With Resource Team better equipped and trained in these areas, we saw a decrease in need for RN travelers and in some cases, overtime hours. Thanks to the impact and success of this, the Resource Team is excited to keep expanding this initiative as our site continues to grow to continue to challenge our team as well as build greater support systems within UWMC- Northwest.

Nurse camp attendees gathered around a practice dummy checking vitals.

Nurse Camp

Enedina R. Dumas has been working as Co-Director of UW Nurse Camp since 2015. She has been involved as a mentor and speed rounder since the start of UW Nurse Camp in 2008. She has worked as a staff nurse and in multiple leadership roles for the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center for the past 33 years. Enedina is currently a member and Co-Chair of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Throughout her career as a nurse she has supported and mentored staff of diverse backgrounds to pursue nursing, prepare for nursing school, assist with volunteer and shadowing opportunities in the health care setting, and walked individuals through the hiring process to be a nurse. UW Nurse Camp gives Enedina the opportunity to work with younger people of underserved, diverse, and marginalized backgrounds who may not even see themselves as a college student. She coordinates the rare opportunity for high school students to shadow nurses in various hospital units at UW Medical Center Montlake and UW Medical Center Northwest where they observe direct patient care, learn of different specialties, and interview their nurses about their nursing careers. Prior to shadowing, the camper completes instruction on infection control and proper hand-washing techniques, donning and doffing hospital safety attire, and completes CPR and HIPAA training. They also are given instructions in how to do vital signs and participate in a Mock Code Blue in the School of Nursing learning and simulation lab.

A favorite every year is participating in nursing “speed rounds,” where they meet and speak with nurses working in all areas of health care, including forensics, public health, emergency, airflight, palliative care, and research to name a few. “I want young people to know nursing needs to reflect and mirror the patients we care for, individuals like them make that happen.”

Nurse camp attendees gathered for a group photo in a hospital corridor.

Excellence Through Equity Movie Series

A poster showing a collage of black and white photos of nurses with the title Nurse Unseen superimposed.

Excellence Through Equity movie series continues with Nurse Unseen

In 2025, our “Excellence Through Equity” moving screenings continued for both campuses. These film screenings are hosted by Elaine Acacio, director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Laura Quinann, NW Medical Director, and Christin Gordanier, NW CNO. Prior screenings have included important healthcare and nursing related topics such as Black fetal maternal health and commercial sex exploitation in North Seattle. These screenings are an opportunity to gather in a shared space, watch a film together, and participate in rich discussions following the film.

In 2025, Nurse Unseen, a documentary that explores the little-known history and humanity of Filipino nurses risking their lives on the frontlines during the Covid pandemic, while facing the resurgence of anti-Asian hate in their cities and towns. This offering was made in collaboration with the Office for Healthcare Equity, UWMC, UW SON, and the local chapter of the American Nephrology Nurses Association. It was particularly special as it was screened at both Northwest and Montlake and featured our own Nancy Colobong Smith, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Renal, Dialysis, Transplant and President of American Nephrology Nurses Association who led and participated in the panel discussions.

Nursing Certification Preparation Programs

Diabetes

In my role as the Glycemic Care Consult Nurse Practitioner/CNS, I analyze safety reports and inpatient glycemic trends to identify recurring practice gaps that contribute to significant blood glucose variability. I identify opportunities for staff education and system improvement. Using real clinical cases, like the one in the Glycemic Roller Coaster poster, to illustrate how small workflow issues or knowledge gaps —such as holding correctional insulin in NPO patients, providing carbohydrates without insulin coverage, or stacking correction doses—can create large swings in blood glucose levels. These case-based teaching tools help staff understand the clinical consequences of these decisions and reinforce evidence-based glycemic management practice.

This work emphasizes the “domino effect” of glycemic management—how timing, communication, diet, and adherence to orders directly impact patient safety. By sharing these insights through visual case summaries, I help promote consistent use of hypoglycemia protocols, appropriate insulin dosing practices, and improved interdisciplinary coordination. The goal is to reduce preventable glycemic excursions, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen staff confidence in managing complex diabetes cases in the inpatient setting.

Nicole Woodruff, ARNP,CDCES

Med-Surg

Pursuing medical-surgical nursing certification is a powerful way for nurses to advance their clinical expertise, strengthen professional confidence, and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in patient care. Our Medical-Surgical Certification Program supports nurses through every step of this journey by offering access to the ANCC Online Medical-Surgical Review Course, online test taking strategies, and practice exams designed to build knowledge and familiarity with the certification format. Nurses also participate in weekly, system-focused study sessions across 15 weeks, helping them deepen their understanding of core clinical content while learning collaboratively with peers.

To further prepare nurses for success, the program provides mock Medical-Surgical exams offered in both the fall and spring, as well as individualized assistance with ANCC and Success Pay application. With mentorship, encouragement, and structured guidance, this program empowers nurses to achieve their professional goals. Having supported nurses in their certification efforts since 2016—and holding five national certifications myself—I am dedicated to leading by example and fostering an environment where medical-surgical nurses can thrive and excel.

Karen Paulsen, MSN, ARNP-CNS, ACNS-BC, CMSRN, ONC, PMGT-BC, NPD-BC | Clinical Nurse Specialist- Medical/Surgical

PACU

A chart titled SQUAD certification program results showing an increase in participation from 3 in Fall of 2024 to a projected rate of 36 in Spring 2026.

In Fall of 2024, the University of Washington Medical Center- Northwest Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and Outpatient Surgery Center (OSC), a department with 66 staff nurses, had a total of 2 nurses certified in PeriAnesthesia Care (CPAN). Why? A survey revealed the following reasons:

To facilitate increased certification in the PACU areas, a streamlined certification program was developed beginning in Spring of 2025. The target goal was to add 5 new certified nurses in the calendar year (a 250% increase), but also to encourage growth of a culture of certification and excellence. Unit nurses were given evidence-based reasons that nurses should be certified in their specialty area, linked to peer-reviewed articles for staff to read. Named SQUAD (Sustaining Quality, Unity, Accountability, and Discipline), the program contains:

The project has resulted in 13 newly certified CPAN nurses, with 9 currently attending the Spring 2026 session. There is a 100% pass rate for nurses who complete the program. We are so proud of our nurses, their desire to work at the top of their practice, and their commitment to excellence in clinical care and patient experience.

Nikki Pitts, MSN, RN, CPAN, CMSRN | RN3 Nurse Educator, UWMC NW-Perianesthesia Services

Oncology

This past year, UWMC expanded support for nursing certification by participating in the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) FreeTake program. Nurse feedback consistently identified financial risk as a primary barrier to certification, as reimbursement was previously contingent upon passing the examination, requiring nurses to front the full cost. Through collaboration with Nursing Professional Development (NPD) and with approval from executive leadership, UWMC implemented the FreeTake program, eliminating this barrier by allowing nurses two exam attempts with no personal financial obligation. Exam fees are paid directly through the UWMC–ONCC contract using designated nursing certification funds upon passing the exam.

Since implementation, 12 nurses have pursued oncology-related certification within the first six months, exceeding the ONCC annual participation requirement of five nurses. This initiative directly supports the Magnet core values of advancing professional development and promoting continuous improvement. UWMC anticipates continued growth in nursing certification as a result of this program and values the ongoing partnership with NPD in supporting certified nursing practice.

Tara Yanez, MN, RN, OCN | Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist