Sometimes (often), we set out on a journey accidentally. One step leads to the next and the next.
Before we register to take the certification exam, we have worked within the specialty for some time; yet even with that experience under our belts, we know we need to study for the exam. Vascular access is a narrow specialty with a broad foundational knowledge requirement.
Like many of us, I came into the specialty of vascular access by becoming a “good stick.” For most of my career, I was a pediatric nurse. The facility where I worked at the time initially had a Pediatric IV team but eliminated it in an effort to reduce costs (insert eye roll here). Believe me, I was the last one in line to want to try to start an IV on a child! But I had a marvelous mentor, and it turned out, I was a “good stick.” As most of us know, if we’re good at it, we actually save the patient pain by doing this painful task well.
I went from pediatrics to an adult Vascular Access Team at a large hospital, where I learned additional skills – ultrasound guided IV placement, midline placement, PICC placement. With each new skill, there was new foundational knowledge to learn. Getting an IV in was just the beginning of the journey.
I sought out a credential that would reflect my knowledge base. I sought to become a Vascular Access-Board Certified™ (VA-BC™) nurse.
The first step to this certification is studying for the exam. You don’t know how much you don’t know until you start to prepare for a credentialing exam! It opens a vista of opportunities to enhance your skills and to help you to become a more effective and knowledgeable patient advocate.
Once you have passed the exam, you may maintain your certification through continuing education (CE) credits. Yes, this helps you to avoid having to take the exam again, but primarily it keeps you abreast of the most current standards in your field. Wearing the VA-BC™ badge increases our visibility; being able to cite the most recent literature and standards increases our credibility.
Vascular Access Certification Corporation (VACC) is supporting our certificant base through CE opportunities and resources. VACC has reorganized the VACC website to draw attention to free CE opportunities. We are working with the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) this year to sponsor two webinars, which will offer free CEs for two years. We are making improvements to the CE portal to make submitting and managing CE documentation smoother.
This credential is not for nurses alone. There are many disciplines that use vascular access skills and knowledge: Emergency Medical Technicians, Respiratory Therapists, Nurse Practitioners, MDs, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants. I encourage you to pursue certification for yourself and also to encourage your colleagues to become certified. You don’t know what you don’t know until you begin your search!
– Antonia Fowler, MSN, BA, RN, VA-BC™
