Professional Development Opportunities

National Nursing Certification

Approximately 1/3 of the Registered Nurses at Avera McKennan have made the personal choice to go beyond licensure and employment requirements and become nationally certified.

Our nurses' certification demonstrates their knowledge, skills and accomplishments and is the equivalent to Board certification for physicians. Certified nurses have achieved professional recognition by passing a nationally respected examination demonstrating their broad range of skills and clinical experience.

Avera McKennan nurses are certified in more than 20 specialty areas, such as emergency nursing, rehabilitation, cardiology, cardiac services and labor/delivery.

We support certification through reimbursement dollars and ongoing recognition.

Other Nursing Opportunities

Nurse Governance Council
Nurse Governance Council (NGC) is composed of staff Registered Nurse representatives from all patient care areas, and a staff RN chairs the council. The NGC has decision-making responsibility for clinical and professional nursing practice. The Council also provides input on administrative issues.

Continuing Nursing Education
Avera McKennan is an approved provider of continuing education by CNE-Net, the education division of the North Dakota Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. We provide over 800 nursing contact hours yearly, with most programs provided free of charge to employees.

Nursing Grand Rounds
Nursing Grand Rounds is an educational program presented monthly by Registered Nurses. The program focuses on complex patient cases and highlights the impact nursing has on patient outcomes. Patient advocacy, current research and evidence-based practice are integrated into the presentations. This forum showcases nursing expertise from each nursing specialty.

The Professional Nursing Achievement Program
This PNAP was developed by Nurse Governance Council as a way to provide Registered Nurses in direct patient care the opportunity to develop professional, clinical and leadership skills beyond those gained through daily nursing practice. The voluntary program provides recognition and monetary rewards for professional development.

Nursing Research
Avera McKennan Registered Nurses participate in research projects that impact and improve patient care as well as professional practice. Nursing practice at Avera McKennan is comprised of nursing research, evidence-based practice and current national standards of care.

For more information please contact Avera McKennan Educational Services at (605) 322-8950.