Clinical and professional role development among experienced pediatric nurses: the pediatric medical nursing certificate program.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: The development of a multiunit-based certificate program to promote retention by increasing experienced pediatric nurses' knowledge, skills, and professional role development through a blend of didactic, clinical, and mentoring components.

CONCLUSIONS

The certificate group demonstrated an increase in knowledge and skill, advanced leadership role acquisition, promotion, certification, and graduate school matriculation, and achieved a 95% retention rate within the organization.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: With support from management and multidisciplinary team members, a certificate program like this can be implemented in a variety of settings and specialties.