Certification is the formal recognition of specialized knowledge, skills and experience. The CENL or the CNML after your name demonstrates to the profession a high level of commitment to your field of practice and a high level of knowledge and skill unique to your role. Specialty certification enhances professional reputation of nurse leaders.
“The announcement of the implementation of the certification examination for nurse executives is an exciting milestone for AONE. Since the AONE Nurse Executive Competencies were released in 2005, AONE has worked to build a portfolio of tools to help nurse leaders in executive practice assess and validate their acquisition of the competencies essential for effective executive practice. This certification is one more tool to provide validation for nurses in executive practice,” said AONE President Carol A. Watson, PhD, RN.
“We are extremely pleased to continue to expand our strong and highly valued partnership with AONE to provide essential resources for nurse managers,” said Wanda Johanson, RN, MN, chief executive officer of AACN. “The launch of this 
certification exam will give nurse managers a way to develop and validate their knowledge as they strive to excel in their demanding roles, carrying out complex leadership responsibilities that directly affect the quality of patient and family care.”
“As an organization dedicated to shaping the future of health care through innovative nursing leadership, AONE is proud to offer a certification exam for nurse managers, which will significantly add to our depth of nurse leader resources,” said Pamela Thompson, MS, RN, FAAN, chief executive officer for AONE. “Our continued partnership with AACN makes it possible to fill this need in a comprehensive and expedient manner.”
