Putnam County Hospital will recognize the unique contributions of certified nurses on Certified Nurses Day, Tuesday, March 19.

Certification validates a nurse’s specialty knowledge for practice in a defined functional or clinical area of nursing. According to data collected by the American Board of Nursing Specialties in 2013, nurses in the U.S. and Canada held more than 683,684 certifications, an increase of more than 87,111 certificants compared to 2012 survey data. These certifications were granted by 27 different certifying organizations, and 122 different credentials designate these certifications.

In addition, certification benefits patients and their families, validating that the nurse caring for them has demonstrated experience, knowledge and skills in the complex specialties of acute and critical care.

Certified Nurses Day is an annual worldwide event dedicated to celebrating certification as a means to ensure high standards of patient care and to promote continuing excellence in the nursing profession. Initially proposed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the day honors the birthday of the late Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, an international pioneer of nursing certification who designed the first comprehensive study of nurse credentialing.

Putnam County Hospital is grateful to have hardworking, selfless certified nurses as part of its healthcare family. For more information on Putnam County Hospital services and career opportunities, please call 765.653.5121 or log on to Putnam County Hospital.