Awards & Scholarships

Distinguished CEN Award

• Honors a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

• 2023 Winner
  

  Calee Muldrow

  BSN, RN, CEN Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, TX

  About Calee

  At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Calee is a fierce advocate for nurses and her patients. She encourages all nurses to pursue their CEN because she believes that certification increases the confidence, skill and knowledge of emergency nurses delivering care. Due to her advocacy, she has increased the certification rates for the ED to 47% over the past two years, including three new graduate nurses she has onboarded and mentored.

  After earning her CEN 2.5 years into her nursing career, Calee takes pride in knowing that she plays a part in challenging her colleagues to earn a certification—not only for themselves but also to improve their overall knowledge and the care they provide their patients every day. She believes that if a nurse continues to challenge themselves and further their education, this can significantly reduce the risk of burnout. Calee believes that recognition and positive reinforcement are the keys to motivating others, and she acts on this belief in spades.

  Read more about Calee in our Meet the Winner series.

• Previous Winners

  2022
  Nicholas Jazdzewski, BSN, RN, CENFroedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI

  2021
  Heidi Cote, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN
  Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME

  2020
  Jude Lark, BSN, RN, CEN, CCRN
  Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ

  2019
  Heather Linsalata, BSN, RN, CEN
  University Hospital, Newark, NJ

  2018
  Wilmar Flores, BSN, RN, CEN
  La Jolla Emergency Department, University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Health Systems, La Jolla, CA

  2017
  Kathy Ingersoll, BSN, RN, CEN
  Harford Memorial Hospital, Havre de Grace, MD

  2016
  Kara Bauman, MN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN
  Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, VA

  2015
  Diane Branson, RN, CEN, OR-SANE-A
  Salem Hospital, Albany, OR

Distinguished CPEN Award

• Honors a Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN).

• 2023 Winner
  

  Dawn Tasche

  BSN, RN, CPEN Aurora Health Care in Sheboygan County, Sheboygan, WI

  About Dawn

  The recognized “pediatric champion” in her emergency department, Dawn’s leadership, collaboration and advocacy for helping nurses develop advanced pediatric skills has increased the number of CPENs in her ED and paved the way for Aurora Health Care in Sheboygan County to be recognized for emergency pediatric care by the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services for Children’s Pediatric Emergency Department. In all her roles—skilled ED nurse, mentor, preceptor and leader—she exhibits passion, resiliency and compassion.

  Dawn believes it’s important to get more nurses to be certified in pediatric emergency nursing to help build confidence in themselves when taking care of pediatric patients. CPEN certification has helped her and her colleagues build knowledge about the unique needs of pediatric patients and how each development stage of life impacts their ability to deliver the best possible emergency care to pediatric patients and their families. As Dawn says: “It is my personality to encourage others to keep striving in anything they do, not just in nursing but in life. Knowledge truly is power.”

  Read more about Dawn in our Meet the Winner series.

   

• Previous Winners

  2022
  Jessica Evins, BSN, RN, CPENin NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, New York, NY

  2020
  Lisa Chambers, MSN, MPS, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN
  CHOC Children’s Hospital, Orange, CA

  2019
  Cara Szeglin, BSN, RN, CPEN
  New York-Presbyterial Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, New York, NY

  2017
  Jodi Cregger, RN, MICT, CEN, CFRN, CPEN
  LifeTeam, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, KS

  2016
  Brian Johnson, RN, CEN, CPEN
  NorthBay Medical Center, Fairfield, CA

  2015
  Kristen Cline, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, SANE-A
  Sanford AirMed, Sioux Falls, SD

Distinguished CFRN Award

• Award honors a Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN).

• 2023 Winner
  

  Stacey Dock

  MSN, RN, CFRN LifeFlight Eagle, Kansas City, MO

  About Stacey

  A flight nurse since 1994, Stacey first earned her CFRN in 1995 while working for one of the very first U.S. civilian air medical programs. She believed then, and still believes now, that certification “shows yourself and others that you are knowledgeable and dedicated to your craft.” For 10 years, she was LifeFlight Eagle’s Clinical Services Manager, during which time she earned her MSN to better serve her program and crew. She recently went back to full-time flight nursing—which has always been a passion and purpose in her adult life—and where she’s mentoring a whole new generation of flight nurses.

  In 2012, she spearheaded a policy that required CFRN certification for all LifeFlight Eagle transport nurses within 2 years of hire. She has developed and supported ongoing CE education and exam prep resources, even paying out of her own personal funds to support bases and staff pursuing certification and recertification. Today, LifeFlight Eagle provides those resources to all staff at no cost.

  Read more about Stacey in our Meet the Winner series.

• Previous Winners

  2022
  Abigail Harvey, BSN, RN, CFRN, NREMT-PLutheran Health Network, Fort Wayne, Indiana

  2021
  Kevin Kissner, MSN, RN, CEN, CFRN
  VCU Health & Virginia State Police Med-Flight I , Richmond, VA

  2020
  Tonya Barnard, BSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, CTRN, TCRN, CCRN, EMT-B
  Pafford Air One, Orlando, FL

  2019
  Carlos Tavarez, RN, CEN, CFRN, CTRN, TCRN, NREMT-P, FP-D, CCEMT-P, EMT-T, WEMT
  Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL

  2018
  Teresa Elder, MEd, BSN, RN, CFRN
  Flight for LIfe Colorado, St. Anthony Hospital, Denver, CO

  2017
  Bambi Pish-Derr, DNP, CFRN, CCRN
  Angel MedFlight, Scottsdale, AZ

  2015
  Mick McCallum, TNS, RN, CFRN, CCRN, EMT-P, FP-C, CMTE
  Topeka, KS

Distinguished CTRN Award

• Award honors a Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN).

• 2023 Winner
  

  George Olschewski

  BSN, RN, CFRN, CTRN, CEN, TCRN Hackensack University Medical Center Specialty Care Transport Unit, Hackensack, NJ

  About George

  A critical care transport and mobile intensive care nurse since 2004, George says he “truly arrived in the specialty once I earned the CTRN.” Based on his view that critical care transport is a high-risk procedure and also the most autonomous nursing field, he believes with that autonomy comes great responsibility.

  As George says, “things can go sideways very quickly.” That’s why he pushes himself and his nurse, EMT and paramedic colleagues alike at Hackensack University Medical Center, a Level II Trauma Center, to learn and advance and achieve board certification.

  Hackensack University Medical Center and its network are huge proponents of certification, and George is a big part of that impetus. Supporting nurses to be their best through certification, he helps set higher standards for his team and program so they can provide the best care possible as they transport the sickest of the sick. George is also pursuing a master’s degree in nursing administration and is involved in multiple professional associations where he helps develop continuing education content and updates CCT specialty professional standards.

  Read more about George in our Meet the Winner series.

• Previous Winners

  2022
  Mackenzie Alexander, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, CTRN, CPENHarris Health System, Houston, Texas

  2016
  Kimberly Lacina, MSN, ARNP-C, CTRN, CEN, EMT-P
  Sunstar Paramedics, Largo, FL

Distinguished TCRN Award

• Honors a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).

• 2023 Winner
  

  Jordan Tyczka

  MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VA

  About Jordan

  Jordan exemplifies trauma nursing excellence while she advocates for and supports nurses practicing across the entire trauma continuum in many ways. When Jordan started at Inova Loudoun 5 years ago, the trauma program was brand new and there were 2 TCRNs—and Jordan was not yet TCRN certified. (And in fact, she didn’t pass on her first attempt.) Since then, over 80 nurses have earned their TCRN and another 50 intend to sit for the TCRN in 2023.

  Her monthly TCRN exam prep zoom lectures are viewed by the 500+ nurses in her hospital as well as nurses in the other 4 Inova system hospitals. She also developed a “Trauma Escape Room” which educates team members and helps them retain what they learn during a jam-packed, exciting 90 minutes. Open to nurses on every unit, participants use their nursing knowledge to solve crossword puzzles, match clinical presentations with traumatic injuries, and navigate live simulated patient scenarios.

  Read more about Jordan in our Meet the Winners series.

• Previous Winners

  2022
  Shayna Stevens, BSN, RN, TCRNTexas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, Plano, TX
  

  2021
  Julie Donnelly, MSN, RN, TCRN
  Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

  2020
  Lt. Mariah Pruett, NC, BSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, TCRN, CCRN
  David Grant USAF Medical Center, Fairfield, CA

  2019
  Travis Beebe-Woodard, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN
  University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT

  2018
  June Guadalupe, MSN, BSN, RN, CEN, CCRN, CMC, CNRN, TCRN 
  R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

  2017
  Andrea Wright, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN
  Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Level I Trauma Center, Roanoke, VA

National Certification Champion Award

The 2023 NCC Award nomination window is now closed. Stay tuned for winner updates!

BCEN’s National Certification Champion Award recognizes health care facilities and health systems that:

• Exemplify excellence in supporting emergency RNs who pursue BCEN certifications
• Show achievement in designing and implementing effective and innovative practices and programs that encourage, support, and recognize emergency nursing specialty certification
• Demonstrate the impact of a board certified emergency nurse workforce on patient, nurse and organizational outcomes

One national winner will be recognized in each of the following categories:

• Small Healthcare Organization: single hospital emergency department, trauma program or freestanding emergency center with less than 30,000 visits per year, or a single critical care ground transport and/or flight base
• Large Healthcare Organization: single hospital emergency department, trauma program or freestanding emergency center with more than 30,000 visits per year
• Healthcare System: a group or system of 2 or more hospital emergency departments, trauma programs, freestanding emergency centers, or critical care ground transport and/or flight bases

Eligibility Requirements 

To be eligible for the National Certification Champion Award, a facility or organization must:

• Currently employ BCEN-certified emergency, transport and/or trauma nurses
• Be actively engaged in supporting their nurses in obtaining and maintaining one or more of BCEN’s certifications
• Serve as a model for advancing board certification for the nursing profession

Nomination Requirements

In order to be considered, nominations must include the following:

• Completed nomination form
• Two (2) letters of reference from individuals with relevant professional positions or qualifications

Healthcare System

• 2022 Winner
  

  Centura Health

  Centennial, CO

  How does Centura Health instill valuation of specialty certification across an entire health system?

  It starts at the executive leadership level, where a belief that professional board certification is the “highest indicator of professionalism in the nursing field” that “helps advance the profession by recognizing and rewarding individuals for their clinical expertise and experience” is put into action every day and every shift.

  At Centura, committing significant resources to support and encourage associates to obtain and maintain certification includes funded exam prep, paid time off to take the exam, reimbursement for successful certification, CE credit and certification differential with wages. Recognition on the units, in daily huddles and system wide. Consideration of certification within the career ladder, promotions and extensive ongoing special projects. The result is a 44% certification rate.

  Inspiring Confidence in Patients: Certified nurses at Centura have a large ‘certified nurse’ sign added to their badge hanger for recognition, which patients comment conveys confidence to them and their care.

  The Bottom Line: “Our certified nurses exceed expectations.”

  Read our Meet the Winner interview with Centura Health.

• Previous Winners

  2020
  Life Link III
  Minneapolis, MN

  2019
  Northeast Georgia Health System  
  Gainesville, GA

  2018
  UCHealth Emergency Care  
  Fort Collins, CO

Large Healthcare Organization

• 2022 Winner
  

  Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital Emergency Center

  Houston, TX

  How did Harris Health LBJ Emergency Center make valuing emergency, trauma and transport certification part of its culture?  

  Bonuses, free prep resources and onsite review courses with paid time off, and advancement opportunities, for sure. Where LBJ EC really impresses and achieves is through integration and interdisciplinary participation, including: Full engagement from clinical resources nurses and educators. Frequent impromptu “shock talks” hosted by MDs, bedside nurses and ancillary departments. Specialty certification required for clinical ladder advancement and promotions, required for nursing leadership within two years of their promotion, and strongly preferred for all leadership candidate new hires.

  Certified Success Worth Noting: Home to the only adult ground transport specialty team in greater Houston (which was formed by its own emergency nurses), LBJ EC requires all nurses to have at least one BCEN certification to join the team and three certifications (CEN or TCRN, plus CFRN and CTRN) within two years. LBJ EC directly links the interdisciplinary specialty team and the certifications they hold to positive patient outcomes.

  The Bottom Line: “In February 2022, our patient satisfaction scores reached an all-time high score which was >90^th percentile of all EDs within the same category.”

  Read our Meet the Winner interview with Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital EC.

• Previous Winners

  2021
  Yale New Haven Hospital
  New Haven, CT

  2020
  University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital   
  Plattsburg, NY

  2019
  Oak Hill Hospital  
  Brooksville, FL

  2018
  Chilton Medical Center 
  Pompton Plains, NJ

  2017
  Houston Methodist Hospital System 
  Houston, TX

  2016
  Avera McKennan Hospital Emergency Department
  Sioux Falls, SD

  2015
  Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital EMTC
  Indianapolis, IN

Small Healthcare Organization

• 2022 Winner
  

  Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial Emergency Department

  Frisco, TX

  What fueled the Baylor Scott & White – Centennial Emergency Department’s remarkable two-year jump in certification rates from 6% to 56.5%?

  Free exam prep materials, free onsite review courses with paid time off to attend, study groups, daily huddle review questions, and voucher-covered exam fees. Executive team-attended personal celebrations for every newly certified nurse. Recertification supported by a wide range of funded CE options and a renewal bonus.

  The ROI: Increased nurse engagement and satisfaction. Certified nurses can level-up the clinical ladder. Nurse-led process and research initiatives leading to significant quality improvements. A top Press Ganey score and trauma and stroke center zero-deficiency surveys.

  The Bottom Line: “As a facility, the care delivery to our patients has continued to improve in alignment with our certification rates.”

  Read our Meet the Winner interview with Baylor Scott & White.

• Previous Winners

  2020
  Childress Regional Medical Center
  Childress, TX

  2019
  Rush Foundation Hospital ED
  Meridian, MS

  2018
  USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
  Glendale, CA

  2017
  Bristol Hospital
  Bristol, CT

  2016
  Angel MedFlight
  Scottsdale, AZ

  2015
  IU Health Saxony Hospital Emergency Department
  Fishers, IN