The Value of Dermatology Nurse Education and Certification
The Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA) is a professional nursing organization comprised of a diverse group of individuals committed to promoting excellence in dermatologic care through sharing knowledge and expertise. This is achieved by providing up-to-date and evidence-based dermatology nursing education, including preparing registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) for certification.
Accredited Education
The DNA is the only dermatology nursing organization that is an accredited provider through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This allows the DNA to develop and provide its own education programs to meet the needs of its diverse members who come from different practice settings, educational backgrounds, and geographic locations. Accredited organizations adhere to rigorous, evidence-based standards in operations and planning, implementation, and evaluation of learning activities. The DNA offers opportunities to earn contact hours through online continuing education (CE), live webinars, and in-person workshops and meetings.
Different venues the DNA uses to deliver education include:
• DNA CE center: providing a variety of education, including online certification review courses for RNs and NPs
• Annual convention: bringing experts in the dermatology field to one location to educate attendees and making available networking opportunities with peers and industry partners
• Dermatologic Nursing Essentials, A Core Curriculum, Third Edition: imparting essential knowledge of healthy skin and skin disorders to support patient-centered care
• Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association: supplying timely resources to improve care for dermatology patients and families that can be incorporated easily into daily practice, publishing scholarly works in the fi eld of dermatology, fostering discussion of issues and trends that affect practice, and promoting dialogue between dermatology practitioners and other disciplines
• Local chapter meetings: running education programs at the local level to meet the needs of its grassroots members
• DNA online store: offering available publications for purchase
The DNA’s education programs are geared toward promoting the highest standards of dermatology nursing practice, which can lead to becoming certified.
DNC and DCNP Certification
Certification is a process to validate, based on predetermined standards, a professional’s knowledge for safe and effective practice in a specialty or defined subspecialty. Both RNs and NPs can become certified through validation of proficiency in dermatology nursing via the Dermatology Nursing Certification Board or Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Certification Board. The certification designation ensures that the nurse has attained a common knowledge base, utilization of the nursing process, and a high level of skill in the practice setting, conferring peer and public recognition on those individuals who prove proficient in their practice. Dermatology nurses who are certified have a willingness to be accountable, undergoing a third-party review of their knowledge and making a commitment to lifelong learning, patient advocacy, and professional practice.
Administered through the Center for Nursing Education and Testing, both the Dermatology Nurse Certifi ed (DNC) and Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP) examinations recognize the value of fostering personal and professional growth through education programs, research, and clinical practice. The DNC credential is approved as a national nursing certification by the ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program, which means that Magnet recognized and applicant organizations may report the certification in the Demographic Data Collection Tool. The DCNP credential is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification. To obtain and sustain this national accreditation, certifying boards need to demonstrate and adhere to 18 standards.
Enhancing Practice
Quality education assists nurses in preparing to become certified and supports evidence-based practices for all dermatology staff , leading to better patient outcomes. By being a DNA member, nurses and other dermatology staff have access to the
resources they need to make their practice setting professional and deliver high-quality care. To explore education and certification opportunities to enhance all dermatology practices, visit https://www.dnanurse.org.
