Written by Cori McKinney, BSN, RN, PCCN

I had the privilege of serving as an Expert Panelist at the 2025 Kaiser Permanente National Nursing Conference, held on May 6, 2025, in celebration of Nurses Week. The conference, themed “Achieving Excellence: Your Guide to Board Certification in Nursing,” provided a comprehensive exploration of the various certification pathways available to nurses at all career stages. We discussed how to identify credible and relevant credentials and outlined the journey to board certification, covering everything from preparation to achievement. Speaking at a national conference for the first time was both nerve-wracking and immensely rewarding, marking a significant milestone in my professional development.

I am sincerely grateful to my colleagues for their steadfast support and encouragement throughout this journey—especially our nursing leaders, our Nursing Professional Development specialist Menel Reyes, MSN, RN, and my manager, Maria Martin, BSN, RN, for giving me this opportunity. Advanced certification not only raises the standard of our professional practice but also enhances our confidence, solidifies our commitment to excellence, and underscores our dedication to evidence-based care. It stands as a testament to the passion we bring to nursing and the high-quality care our patients deserve. If I can achieve this, so can you!