The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team
Year-End Reflections: A Success Pays® Program Story Featuring the Story of Sharona Johnson, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, NE-BC
Dr. Sharona Johnson witnessed firsthand, while growing up, the profound impact of chronic illness on both her parents and her broader cultural community. Her mother battled hypertension, diabetes, and end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, while her father lived with hypertension, diabetes, and bipolar disorder. Raised in a rural area with limited access to healthcare, she became acutely aware of health disparities and the immense challenges families faced. These early experiences shaped her perspective and ignited a desire to make a meaningful difference—to become the change she wished to see in her community.
Sharona's journey, however, was not without obstacles. Early in her nursing education, an instructor in Louisiana discouraged her, telling her she was not smart enough to be a nurse and failing her during her second clinical rotation. Though this experience could have ended her aspirations, it instead fueled her determination.
After marrying and relocating to South Dakota with her husband, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force, she completed a diploma nursing program. One influential individual refused to let her settle for less. Sydney Ayotte (Syd), a nursing instructor at South Dakota State University and a colleague in the Emergency Department at Rapid City Regional Hospital, believed in her at a pivotal moment in her journey. Syd encouraged her to pursue higher education and to continue growing professionally. Through Syd’s mentorship and unwavering support, doubt was transformed into purpose. Inspired by her example, Sharona went on to earn a Ph.D. in Nursing and committed her career to excellence, advocacy, and leadership within the profession. Syd’s influence was so profound that Sharona named her firstborn child after her—a lasting tribute to the mentor who helped shape both her life and her career.
As Sharona assumed increasing leadership responsibilities within her organization, she recognized the importance of formally validating her expertise through professional certification. Earning the ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner board certification (FNP-BC) was a natural progression following completion of her FNP program, as it is essential for advanced clinical practice and delivering high-quality patient care. As her role later expanded into executive and administrative leadership, Sharona pursued the ANCC Nurse Executive board certification (NE-BC) to further strengthen her leadership competencies and demonstrate her commitment to excellence in nursing management. These certifications not only enhanced her professional credibility but also equipped her with the knowledge and confidence to lead effectively, influence policy, and advocate for quality, patient-centered care.
To Sharona, being ANCC certified represents a professional standard of excellence. It signifies a commitment to lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and leadership in advancing the nursing profession. For her, these certifications are more than credentials; they reflect her passion for bridging clinical expertise with strategic leadership to improve healthcare outcomes. The ANCC Success Pays® program was instrumental in encouraging Sharona to pursue her NE-BC. The program’s flexibility and low financial risk gave her the confidence to advance professionally while focusing on preparation without added stress.
What she found most beneficial was that the program promoted a growth mindset by reducing the fear of failure and reinforcing the value of continuous learning. Success Pays® made certification feel attainable and supported Sharona's commitment to advancing her leadership skills and validating her expertise through ANCC certification.
Sharona is deeply passionate about caring for patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly those undergoing dialysis. This population holds a special place in her heart because the primary and secondary causes of kidney disease—diabetes and hypertension—are conditions she witnessed firsthand in her own family and community. These experiences shaped her commitment to improving outcomes for individuals facing these challenges.
Her dedication to this population also guided her academic work; for her dissertation, she focused on the psychological aspects of hemodialysis, exploring how this life-sustaining treatment affects patients’ mental and emotional well-being.
Year-End Reflections: A Success Pays® Program Story Featuring the Story of Daniel Aquino, MS-L, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CSSGB, MEDSURG-BC
Daniel Aquino knew from a young age that he wanted a career that would allow him to both provide for his family and be present in their lives. Growing up, his mother worked three jobs, and although his father held a full-time position, he was sometimes less present, navigating personal challenges. Due to his father’s difficulties, Daniel took on more responsibilities at home and supported his family the best that he could.
Even though neither parent worked in healthcare, Daniel was surrounded by nurses within his Filipino family. He noticed that his cousins, whose parents were nurses, had the privilege of having their parents around more often. Wanting that same balance for his own future family, Daniel became drawn to nursing—even before fully understanding what the profession involved.
His refuge became education, though school alone was not enough. He immersed himself in collegiate organizations that focused on outreach to youth and the surrounding community, discovering a parallel passion for guiding young people toward higher education as he pursued his own path. Acceptance into the Bachelor of Science (BSN) program was bittersweet for Daniel. His grandmother—the family matriarch who instilled in him the importance of becoming the first in the family to earn a college degree—was no longer alive to share in the accomplishment she helped shape. Sadly, her death also marked the beginning of a downward spiral in Daniel’s father’s well-being. Despite numerous challenges, he graduated Cum Laude in his BSN program. As the first person in his family to earn a college degree, pursuing a graduate degree had never occurred to him; nevertheless, he successfully completed a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Healthcare Leadership (MS-L).
To Daniel, ANCC certification represents a tangible commitment to professional nursing practice. While he is confident in his skills, certification allows him to demonstrate that confidence through action. It reflects the time, effort, and dedication he has invested in advancing his knowledge and expertise within his areas of practice. As a seasoned nurse, he recognizes that the requirements for certification help him remain accountable and push him to consistently perform at his highest level. In his role, he works closely with nursing students and newly hired staff, and his visibility reinforces his responsibility to lead by example. Daniel views certification as a way to embody and promote his organization’s commitment to “Believe in Better,” exemplifying excellence and professionalism through his own practice.
Daniel admits that he initially did not take advantage of the ANCC Success Pays® program when he pursued his first board certification in Medical-Surgical Nursing (MEDSURG-BC). Although he passed on his first attempt, the process was accompanied by significant stress and fear of failure. Later, when he learned more about the program, he applied it to his second board certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC).
Although Daniel has historically performed well on exams, he often experiences anxiety throughout the testing process—from applying to studying and ultimately taking the exam. The greatest benefit of Success Pays® was the sense of security it provided. Knowing that he would not have to repeatedly pay for the exam in the event of an unsuccessful attempt allowed him to focus fully on the content rather than on the fear of failure. While the program did not make the exam itself easier, it helped reduce distractions, alleviated pressure, and gave him a sense of support throughout the preparation process.
Daniel’s dedication to the nursing profession extends beyond certification and his work within his organization. He is actively involved in several professional organizations, including:
Member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD), and the American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN).
Member and Research & Education Committee representative for the Philippine Nurses Association – California Capital City Chapter (PNAC3).
Ally and collaborator with the Capitol City Black Nurses Association (CCBNA), National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Sacramento, Hmong Nurses Association (HNA), and Sacramento Association of Indian Nurses (SAIN)
Daniel’s first Team DAISY Award ever presented at UC Davis Health in 2016, when he was still working at the bedside. At the time, none of the team members knew that this version of the DAISY Award existed, which made receiving it especially meaningful. The award recognized their efforts in conducting a wedding ceremony at the bedside for a dying patient, fulfilling his and his family’s last wish. Daniel received a second Team DAISY Award in 2020 while working in the Center for Professional Practice of Nursing (CPPN). This recognition was particularly meaningful because it occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nationwide restrictions significantly impacted nursing student education, but the hospital continued to support its students and even welcomed displaced students from other institutions. At the time, Daniel also held a part-time role as a clinical instructor.
He volunteered to onboard these students, ensuring they could complete their preceptorships. His efforts contributed to the graduation of 20–30 additional students who might not have graduated otherwise. With in-person gatherings restricted, his team organized virtual pinning ceremonies on the units, celebrating student success in a safe and meaningful way. In both instances, the DAISY Award recognized Daniel and his teams’ dedication. For them, these efforts were never about receiving an award—they were simply doing what they knew was right: providing compassionate, human-centered care and supporting others in their profession. The recognition was a meaningful acknowledgment of their commitment and impact.
A Special End of Year Message from Our Certification Outreach Program Manager
As an ANCC certified nurse, I too have a deep appreciation for the value of certification. In my role as Certification Outreach Program Manager, it has been a true pleasure to oversee and manage the ANCC Success Pays® program. I am grateful for an outstanding year, and your dedication has been essential to our shared achievements.
Together, we understand that certification is more than a single milestone—it represents a lifelong journey of growth and learning that highlights your expertise. I am committed to supporting you every step of the way in your professional journey. I encourage organizations to continue supporting and educating their nursing staff about the importance of professional certification and to promote participation in the ANCC Success Pays® program.
Please refer your team to the resource below for information on how this program benefits your organization, as well as a list of eligible ANCC certifications:
I wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season!
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Meet Katelyn Bern who manages customer engagement through social media and at ANCC tradeshows. She is committed to delivering engaging and meaningful content to keep you informed about important updates, including celebrations of certified nurses, stories of inspiration, newsletters, upcoming webinars, and more!
Monthly Stories of Inspiration from ANCC Certified Nurses began in May of 2024. You can view all of the 2024 stories by visiting our Meet the Team page, under the Resources for You tab. We also encourage you to read our 2025 stories:
