Indiana Bulletin - February 2022

February, March, April 2022 The Bulletin 9
What Happens To Your Nursing Credentials When You Retire
Joanne Evans MEd, RN, PMHCNS-BC
ISNA Member
For about 12 years, I was
employed at ANCC and then
decided to retire in 2017.
During my time there, I was
responsible for developing
educational programs in all
specialties to assist nurses
in passing a wide range of
ANCC certification exams.
I was very aware of all the
challenges nurses experienced
in preparing for these
examinations and also how
proud nurses were when they
received the certificate in their specialty in the mail.
Certification was a way of nurses showing their
expertise and professionalism in a specific area. It was
a commitment to nursing excellence and quality patient
care. Nurses were able to renew their certification
every five years and many had been doing this renewal
process for many years. I actually just completed my
ninth renewal application as a clinical nurse specialist.
When I retired from ANCC, I became a consultant
so renewed my certification but I spoke with many
retired nurses who were very disappointed to lose
their identify as a certified nurse when they stopped
practicing full time nursing. Since I had extensive
experience developing review programs for nurses to
become certified, I approached the Director of ANCC
Certification to see if we could create a certification and
recognition for retired nurses. I was very excited when I
was asked to develop this new recognition certification
which would allow nurses to continue to keep their
certification credentials. It was a way of letting others
know all they had accomplished throughout their
nursing career. I was also adamant that nurses did not
need to take one more exam. They had already proven
themselves time and time again.
To qualify for the retired nurse recognition
certification, a nurse
planned to not actively practice nursing
held a current and unrestricted nursing license
was certified with ANCC and was in good
standing
submitted an application, up to one year after
the expiration of their last certification renewal
date
The application is available online at https://www.
nursingworld.org/certification/retired-recognition/
This recognition certification is available to nurses,
whether or not they are ANA members. Once a nurse
completes the retired nurse recognition application
for retired nurses and it is approved, they can use the
word “retired” after their credentials. For example -
FNP-BC–retired, or RN-BC- retired, etc.
This “retired” signature can then be used for
business cards, curriculum vitae or resumes. It cannot
be used for patient charts or records, after a signature
or on professional names badges. In addition to a
congratulatory letter from ANCC, retired nurses receive
a wall certificate and a complementary mug with the
ANCC logo.
Certified nurses have made a significant
contribution to the nursing profession as well as to
their patients, students, organizations and colleagues.
With this recognition, they can continue to let others
know of their accomplishment as a certified nurse by
using their credential with the word “retired.” When
you are ready to retire, just know you do not need to
lose your credentials but can apply for the “retired”
recognition certification and continue to let others
know of your expertise as a retired credentialed
nursing professional.
When I retired from ANCC, I began talking with
other retired nurses both nationally and internationally
and found their stories inspirational. With one of my
colleagues, I co-authored Redefining Retirement
for Nurses published by Sigma Theta Tau later in
2017. We interviewed 26 nurses from around the US
and globally and discussed how they continued to
find meaning in their lives when retired. We shared
their stories about professionalism and how some
continued to be employed in nursing or volunteered
in nursing positions. Others became more involved
with family and friends while some considered the
advantages and disadvantages of relocating. Making
financial decisions was relevant to them all. Another
opportunity for several nurses was to take risks and go
on new ventures or even doing something completely
different from nursing. Then there were those who
found a combination of all the above activities suited
them best. Redefining Retirement for Nurses can
be found on the Sigma Theta Tau Marketplace or on
Amazon. This is a book for those not sure of all the
opportunities available to nurses once they decide to
retire from their fulltime nursing position. Nurses have
had a wide variety of experiences and will continue to
find ways to enjoy this next phase of their lives.
Valle Vista Health System is seeking full time and part time
REGISTERED NURSES
• $10,000 Sign on/Retention Bonus
• Excellent Salary, Shift Differentials & Benefits
Join our winning team! Contact or visit us today!
Simone Wimberly, Director of Human Resources
898 East Main Street, Greenwood, IN 46143
E-mail: Simone.Wimberly@uhsinc.com
Visit our website: www.vallevistahospital.com
EOE