Margie Nicolaus, a registered nurse at St. Mary's Health Care System in Athens, recently received national recognition for continuously maintaining certification in critical care nursing for 30 years.

Nicolaus is one of 397 critical care registered nurses around the world being honored this year for 30 years of continuous certification by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the AACN Certification Corporation.

CCRN certification is one of the most advanced professional credentials that nurses in the field of acute and critical care can achieve. As a result, the certification is regarded as recognition of advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in the care of acutely and critically ill patients and their families. There are more than 104,000 CCRN-certified nurses practicing worldwide, specializing in the care of adult, pediatric and/or neonatal patient populations.

Research studies have linked CCRN certification to higher levels of job satisfaction, clinical knowledge, experience and skill. These studies have found that CCRN-certified nurses are motivated to maintain clinical excellence even in rapidly changing acute and critical care environments. Further, the studies found that the achievement of certification serves as a tangible demonstration of commitment on the part of the nurse to patients, families, employers, and colleagues alike.

Hospitals that encourage and support their nurses in becoming certified demonstrate to their patients a high level of commitment to creating an exceptional care environment and, to their nurses, a culture of professionalism and retention imperative in today's healthcare environment.

Nicolaus joined St. Mary's nursing staff in 2004 and very quickly moved into a patient care role in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit. She is president-elect of the Classic City Chapter of CCRN.