Scotland Health Care System will celebrate Certified Nurses Day today by honoring its board certified nurses.

“Board Certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients and their loved ones,” said Lane Harrington, RN, BSN, Vice President of Patient Care. “Nursing, like health care in general has become increasingly complex.”

Harrington said while a registered nurse license provides entry to general nursing practice, the knowledge and intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive post-secondary and continuing education and a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.

Scotland Health Care System officials said they encourage national board certification for all its nurses. Patients are encouraged to inquire whether there are certified nurses on staff when they visit a hospital or their primary care provider. The many nursing certification specialties include medical-surgical, pediatric, pain management, cardiac vascular, oncology, hospice, case management, emergency nursing, critical care and many others. Many nursing certification bodies exist to serve the full range of specialized nursing care offered in the contemporary health care system; national nurse-certifying bodies should be accredited by either the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) or the National Organization for Competence Assurance (NOCA), or both.

The following registered nurses are recognized for their professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence in patient care:

• Monica Adams, Certified Orthopedic Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Lisa Bender, Certified Nurse Executive (3rd Medical)

• Michelle Brown, Certified Pediatric Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Lisa Byrd, Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management

• Monique Cayton, Certified Medical Surgical & Certified Orthopedic Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Christie Cummings, Certified Pediatric Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Pat Decker, Certified Nurse Operating Room

• Kathy East, Certified Obstetrical Nurse (Women’s Services)

• Shirley Erwin, Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse (In-Patient Rehab)

• Shirley Ethridge, Certified Nurse Operating Room

• Andrea Fields, Certified Occupational Health Nursing

• Angie Gibson, Certified Forensic Nursing

• Miki Glass, Certified Nurse Executive

• Melissa Godwin, Certified Medical Surgical Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Michelle Herberg, Certified Obstetrical Nurse (Women’s Services)

• Tammy Holloway, Certified, Ergonomics and Occupational Health Nursing

• Makisha Hunt, Certified Orthopedic Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Lori Jenkins, Certified Orthopedic Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Heather Johnson, Certified Orthopedic Nurse (3rd Medical)

• Karen Johnson, Certified Obstetrical Nurse (Women’s Services)

• Kelly Kirk, Certified Inpatient Obstetrics and L&D

• Angelita Locklear, Certified Cardiac/Vascular Nursing

• Angela Mackey, Certified Nurse Operating Room

• Ryan Mackey, Certified Nurse Executive

• Kelly Parkes, Certified Nurse Operating Room

• Elizabeth Parrish, Certified Oncology Nurse

• Amanda Mason, Certified Oncology Nurse

• Camille Utter, Certified Oncology Nurse, Certified Breast Care Nurse

• Mark Wesley, Certified Nurse Operating Room

• Jane Williams, Certified Oncology Nurse

• Sandy Williams, Certified, Pain Management and Pain Education

• Lynn Wood, Certified Medical Surgical