When it comes to advancing patient care and investing in nurses, three healthcare organizations are setting the standard — earning the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing’s (BCEN) 2025 National Certification Champion Award.
The National Certification Champion Award is BCEN’s highest institutional recognition, given annually to hospitals and health systems that actively support RNs in earning specialty board certification—the pinnacle of achievement for emergency nursing. By fostering a culture of certification, these organizations are not only validating advanced nursing expertise but also driving better outcomes in emergency, trauma, and critical care transport settings.
“BCEN’s 2025 National Certification Champions exemplify what top-performing hospitals and health systems understand at their core: that supporting nursing professional development is a strategic investment — and that specialty certification is a powerful driver of nurse engagement, clinical excellence, and improved patient trust, experience, and outcomes in emergency care,” said BCEN CEO Janie Schumaker, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, ICE-CCP, CENP, CPHQ, FABC.
2025 National Winners
This year’s honorees represent excellence across three distinct categories:
- Small Healthcare Facility: UCHealth Emergency Room – Harmony Campus (Fort Collins, Colorado)
- Large Healthcare Facility: Hackensack University Medical Center – Adult and Pediatric Emergency Department (Hackensack, New Jersey)
- Health System: The University of Tennessee Medical Center Emergency & Trauma (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Together, these organizations demonstrate how prioritizing certification leads to measurable improvements in clinical outcomes, workplace culture, and patient experience.
UCHealth Emergency Room – Harmony Campus
As a small healthcare facility, UCHealth Harmony Campus stands out for transforming its emergency department culture through certification. Outcomes include:
- Greater clinical confidence and leadership among nursing staff
- Stronger staff engagement and professional pride
- Improved patient experience reflected in satisfaction scores
- Clinical achievements such as zero patient falls in the past year, reduced stroke door-to-CT times, and decreased blood culture contamination rates
Hackensack University Medical Center
In a high-volume, urban environment, Hackensack’s Adult and Pediatric Emergency Departments have leveraged certification to create a more stable and innovative workplace. Outcomes include:
- Workplace stability with higher retention and deeper team experience
- Certified RNs as change agents, driving innovative leadership and clinical improvements
- Operational efficiencies, including improved emergency department throughput and enhanced staff education
University of Tennessee Medical Center Emergency & Trauma
As a health system leader, UT Medical Center has cultivated a culture of learning and accountability rooted in certification. Outcomes include:
- Enhanced clinical competency and confidence among nurses
- Improved patient outcomes and safety
- Higher retention and staff satisfaction through professional development support
- Organizational reputation strengthened, aligning with Magnet® standards
- A culture of excellence emphasizing clinical mastery and accountability
Raising the Bar for Nursing Excellence
The impact of these champions illustrates the profound value of specialty certification in emergency, trauma, and transport nursing. Beyond validating advanced knowledge and expertise, certification drives innovation, strengthens clinical practice, and creates environments where nurses thrive.
By investing in their nurses’ professional development, UCHealth, Hackensack, and UT Medical Center have set a national standard for what it means to champion nursing excellence—demonstrating that when nurses are supported, patients, teams, and entire healthcare systems benefit.
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