The Competency & Credentialing Institute About Us
The Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) has been the leader in perioperative certification for more than 40 years, certifying over 40,000 nurses internationally. An industry leader in nursing competency assessment, CCI is the credentialing body for the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR), Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM), Certified Perioperative CNS (CNS-CP), Certified Ambulatory Surgery Nurse (CNAMB), Certified Foundational Perioperative Nurse (CFPN), and Nursing Professional Development Advanced – Board Certified (NPDA-BC) credentials.
A Non-Profit Organization
Our Mission
As a non-profit organization, our mission is to promote continuous professional development which drives safe, quality patient care. Our vision is to grow a community of certificants and lifelong learners for whom CCI is a catalyst and integral partner.
Celebrating Our Differences
The Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) embraces and encourages ALL members of our community to celebrate our differences in age, color, ability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and all other characteristics that make every individual unique and invaluable.
CCI's diversity initiatives reflect our dedication to an environment built on diversity, equity, and inclusion while encouraging and enforcing:
- Respectful communication and cooperation between all in our community.
- Teamwork and broad participation, permitting the representation of all groups and perspectives from our community.
- Supporting work/life balance for employees and volunteers.
- CCI campaigns and contributions to the communities we serve that directly promote a greater understanding and respect for all.
CCI leadership, management, and governing bodies jointly support the fair treatment and dignity of all human beings. The certifying organization does not discriminate against its stakeholders, including applicants, certificants, volunteers, or employees, as to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Any member of our community who believes they have been subjected to discrimination should seek assistance from a supervisor or other CCI representative.
Accreditation
CCI credentials are the gold standard in perioperative certification. The CNOR, CSSM, CNAMB and CFPN credentials are accredited by the American Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). CNOR is also accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
CCI publishes certification statistics in accordance with accreditation standards. Information is published per credential including number of testing candidates, pass/fail statistics, number of certificants, and data on recertifications. To view the statistics, click here.
Board of Directors
CCI's Board of Directors governs the strategic direction and financial oversight of the nonprofit’s mission, vision, and values. The Board consists of eight directors who hold at least one of CCI’s certifications, as well as two public members.
Members listed from left to right:
Back row: Arthur Shapiro, Elaine Geroski, Marian Kleinman, Joshua Wymer
Front row: Darcie Opalko, Jennifer Misajet, Leigh Anne Piper, Sally Irvin, Sharon Van Wicklin
Not Pictured: Simone Auger
Elaine D. Geroski, MSN, CNOR, CSSM(E), President
Joshua A. Wymer, DNP, MSPM, MA, RN, CNOR, RN-BC, NEA-BC, CHCIO, CDH-E, FACHE, FAAN, Vice President
Marian Kleinman, MBA, BSN, CNOR(E), CSSM, Secretary/Treasurer
Simone Auger, MIArch, LC, LEED AP
Sally A. Irvin, MA, MEd, JD
Jennifer L. Misajet, MHA, BSN, CNOR, CSSM
Darcie Opalko, MBA, MS, RN, CNOR, CSSM, NEA-BC
Leigh Anne Piper, MSN, RN, CSSM(E), CNOR
Arthur Shapiro, RN, MSN, CNOR, CNAMB, NE-BC
Sharon Van Wicklin, PhD, RN, CNOR, CRNFA(E), CPSN-R, PLNC, FAAN, ISPAN-F
Certification Council
The Certification Council oversees the development and maintenance of CCI’s certifications and learning opportunities. The Council consists of six councilors who hold at least one CCI credential, as well as two public members.
Steve Davidson, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM (E), Chair
Britta DeVolder, MBA, BSN, RN, CSSM, CNOR, Vice Chair
Russell Hildebrand
Kimberly Jones MSN- Ed., RN, CNOR, RNFA
Joseph Mollohan, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM
Amos Schonrock, MAN, RN, ST, CSSM, CNAMB, CNOR, NE-BC
Mary Jo Steiert, BSN, RN, CNAMB
Carl Viviano, MD
Programs and Awards
CNOR Strong
Research shows nurses who earn the CNOR credential have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Teams of CNOR-certified nurses who have mastered the standards of perioperative practice have been correlated to improved outcomes in surgical patients. We call that CNOR Strong. Facilities that promote certification excellence may apply for the annual designation.
Criteria for Facility CNOR Strong Designation
• At least 50% of eligible perioperative nursing staff is CNOR-certified
• Facility consistently recognizes and rewards nurses who are CNOR-certified
Applications open November 1st - December 1st
The TrueNorth Award
The TrueNorth Award was developed to recognize facilities that use certification as a “true north,” guiding their perioperative nursing staff to be lifelong learners, models of competent practice, and advocates for excellence and patient safety. Facilities who earn the TrueNorth Award exhibit the highest standards in perioperative certification excellence.
Eligibility Requirements
Healthcare organizations that employ perioperative certified nurses, or organizations whose members and representatives are certified, may apply. Examples include hospitals, health systems, surgical services departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and units or divisions of a larger organization.
Applications open October 1st - November 30th
CCI Research Foundation
As an extension of our sustained commitment to the perioperative community, the CCI Research Foundation was founded in 2018 to fund research that contributes to the advancement of perioperative nursing science and the enhancement of patient care. Learn more about the initiatives of the CCI Research Foundation on the website.
The CCI DAISY Nurse Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses
The DAISY Nurse Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses is an international recognition program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. The family created The DAISY Nurse Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses to express gratitude to nurses and to enable other patients, families, and staff to thank and honor their special nurses. The DAISY Nurse Leader Award is the Competency and Credentialing Institute's (CCI's) most prestigious clinical leadership recognition and is awarded annually.
Sample Selection Criteria for CCI DAISY Nurse Leader Award
• Promotes a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better patient outcomes through exemplary perioperative nursing practice
• Promotes continuous professional development and certification excellence
• Personifies compassionate nursing care, empathy, and caring in action
• Promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization, the community, and the profession
