CHICAGO, IL –  The Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB®) this week released its updated 2026 white paper, Perceived Value of Certification for Nurses and Nurse Managers, revealing compelling evidence that specialty certification in orthopaedic nursing leads to higher confidence, better patient outcomes, and stronger clinical teams. 

Drawing from responses from more than 300 orthopaedic-certified nurses nationwide, the report shows that certification enhances both professional performance and organizational outcomes—underscoring why hospitals and orthopaedic practices increasingly seek certified nurses to improve quality of care. 

Key Findings 

• 86% report increased confidence in their clinical abilities. 

• 79% say certification demonstrates clinical competence. 

• 80% agree it enhances professional credibility. 

• 96% of certified nurses agree that certification enhances their sense of personal accomplishment. 

• 91% say certification promotes recognition from other healthcare professionals—strengthening team collaboration. 

• 69% of nurses believe certification makes them more marketable to employers. 

• Nurse managers confirm that certification influences hiring decisions—69% agree that employers favor certified nurses. 

“Certified orthopaedic nurses bring proven expertise to the bedside. Their confidence, competence, and commitment translate into safer care and more cohesive teams,” said Tiffany White, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN, ONC, lead author of the white paper. “Certification is not just a personal achievement—it’s a clinical advantage for the entire organization.” 

The Organizational Advantage 

For hospital administrators and orthopaedic surgeons, certification signals more than expertise—it represents a measurable investment in quality and efficiency. Certified orthopaedic nurses demonstrate validated competence in musculoskeletal health, helping reduce complications, improve communication across care teams, and reinforce patient adherence to recovery plans. 

“When hospitals hire certified nurses, they’re hiring reliability, accountability, and a commitment to lifelong learning,” said Amy Ketchum, DNP, RN, OCNS-C, ONCB board member and white paper co-author. “Certification builds confidence you can see—in the nurse, the patient, and the outcomes.” 

Why It Matters Now 

As healthcare organizations face workforce shortages and rising patient acuity, certification provides a competitive advantage in recruitment, retention, and reputation. Certified nurses report higher job satisfaction and stronger loyalty, helping reduce turnover and the costs of onboarding new staff. 

The ONCB survey also found that 98% of respondents view certification as clear evidence of professional commitment—a finding that resonates strongly with Magnet™ hospitals and quality-driven health systems. 

“Certification has served as both a personal and professional validation of my orthopaedic knowledge and skill. At our organization, certification has helped to establish and improve use of evidence-based practice and identifies the staff as leaders in these patient efforts,” says Liana G. Chotikul, MSN, CRNP, CNOR, ONC. 

About the White Paper 

The 2025 Perceived Value of Certification for Nurses and Nurse Managers white paper updates ONCB’s landmark 2019 and 2020 studies. Using the validated Perceived Value of Certification Tool (PVCT), ONCB examined both intrinsic motivators—such as confidence and accomplishment—and extrinsic outcomes like recognition, salary, and hiring impact. Download a full, complimentary copy of the research here. 

Co-authors are:

• Tiffany White, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN, ONC
• Amy Ketchum, DNP, RN, OCNS-C
• Amanda Cullipher, MSN, AGNP-C, ONP-C
• Jessica Alger, MSN-INF, RN, ONC
• Laura Arkin, MSN, APRN-CNS, CCNS, ONC
• Maureen Cooper, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, HH-BC, ONC
• Mary Jo Holloran, DNP, ANP-BC, ONP-C, ONC
• Alicia Bannis, PhD, DNP, APRN, CNS, GNP, ONC
• Eevin Judkins, CCRN, RNFA, ACNP, ONP-C
• David Meachin 

About ONCB 

The Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) develops, implements, and coordinates all aspects of certification for orthopaedic nurses. With over 4,000 actively certified nurses, ONCB advances the care of the orthopaedic patient and promotes excellence in specialty nursing practice by encouraging professional development and clinical practice. For more information, visit www.oncb.org.