Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System is pleased to announce it has recently earned the CNOR® Strong designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). The CNOR Strong designation is given to facilities having at least 50 percent of its OR nursing staff CNOR certified, and provides programs that reward and recognize its certified nurses. This is the first year CCI has awarded this elite status to facilities nationwide.

The CNOR® certification program is for perioperative nurses interested in improving and validating their knowledge and skills, and providing the highest quality care to their patients. Certification also recognizes a nurse’s commitment to professional development. It is an objective, measurable way of acknowledging the achievement of specialty knowledge beyond basic nursing preparation and RN licensure.

Research shows that nurses who earn the CNOR credential have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Thus, a team of certified nurses who have mastered the standards of perioperative practice provides even more empowerment, further advancing a culture of professionalism and promoting improved patient outcomes. This strength in numbers is why CCI launched the CNOR Strong program; to recognize those facilities committed to making a difference for its patients both inside and outside of the OR.

Patient safety and positive surgical outcomes are of the utmost importance to a facility, and supporting nurses as they exceed expectations to achieve their perioperative nursing certification shows Community Memorial Health System’s commitment to its core values.

CMHS’s mission is to heal, comfort and promote health for the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the regional integrated health system of choice for patients, physicians and employees by providing the latest treatments. To be a valued, community treasure. Our values include integrity, service, excellence, caring and transparency.

Established in 1979, CCI provides the CNOR® and CRNFA® credentials to more than 34,000 registered nurses, making it one of the largest specialty nursing credentialing organizations and the leading certification body for perioperative nurses. The mission of CCI is to lead competency credentialing that promotes safe, quality patient care and that supports lifelong learning.

For more information about the Competency and Credentialing Institute, visit www.cc-institute.org. For more information on Community Memorial Health System, visit our website at www.cmhshealth.org or call 805/652-5011.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and eleven family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.