How to Celebrate

The themes of Certified Nurses Day™ are professionalism, excellence, recognition and service. There are two basic celebration tracks to consider, recognition by employers (and other stakeholders), and celebration by board certified nurses, through service.

For Employers - Provide Recognition

1. Press release to local papers (see sample which may be used as template).
2. Create a public "honor roll" for board certified nurses, for all to see.
3. Send letter of appreciation to each certified nurse in facility/department (see sample).
4. Hold a certification drive and invite your certified nurses to participate/lead.
5. Have a banquet, tea or luncheon for all your certified nurses.
6. Offer gifts, gift certificates or special bonuses to all your certified nurses
7. Provide ribbons/buttons to all certified nurses.
8. Place announcements and signage throughout facility to show support for Certified Nurses Day™.
9. Benchmark your efforts against those of other health care facilities around the nation (see examples).

For Certified Nurses - Provide Service

1. Work with your employer to set up educational presentations for your colleagues on issues related to your specialty.
2. Go out into your community and give presentations at retirement homes, schools, businesses, and other environments where you can put your knowledge and experience to service.
3. Organize a fundraiser—a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner. Donate monies raised to research on nursing certification, or to needy populations in your community.
4. Set up a mentoring program for nurses who have entered the nursing workforce more recently—share your experiences regarding the value of certification, ongoing education, career planning, maintaining morale and motivation, and dealing with challenges.
5. Work to see that Certified Nurses Day™ is recognized by the media in your community, by employers, and by your fellow certified nurses.
6. Spread the word.