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The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team

Celebrating Black History Month
Featuring the Story of Kaphne Harris, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC

Kaphne Harris draws her greatest inspiration for becoming a nurse from her grandmother, who not only raised her but also introduced her to the world of caregiving. Although her grandmother aspired to become a nurse, she was never able to achieve that dream. Witnessing her grandmother’s selflessness and hearing her speak about her aspirations ignited a passion within Kaphne—one that she pursued not only for herself but as a tribute to both. 

As a child, she often accompanied her grandmother to work as a nurse aide, where she observed and helped with basic nursing tasks. Watching her grandmother care for others with skill, patience, and compassion solidified her calling to the nursing profession from an early age.

Kaphne's 30-year nursing journey has been marked by dedication and perseverance. She began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), progressed to a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), then earned her Associate Degree in Nursing (RN-ADN), followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN), and ultimately a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Each milestone in her career stands as a testament to her deep commitment to patient care and reflects the profound influence her grandmother had on her path.

In addition to her clinical and leadership roles, she is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Fort Bend County Black Nurses Association, the Texas Nurses Association, and the American Nurses Association. 

These affiliations provide her with opportunities to collaborate with like-minded professionals, advocate for nursing excellence, and contribute to the advancement of the profession at the local and state levels.

Kaphne's dedication to the nursing profession has been recognized through numerous accolades, including being honored as a Bronze Medalist for the 2024 Excellence in Nursing Awards—a prestigious acknowledgment of her unwavering commitment to high-quality patient care and mentorship.

Beyond her professional achievements, she has dedicated 30 years to the Girl Scouts, serving in leadership capacities that have reinforced her passion for mentorship, service, and community engagement. Over four consecutive two-year terms, she has played a key role on the Clinical Leadership Team, overseeing a large community of Girl Scouts. Additionally, as a mother of three, she has remained deeply committed to nurturing the next generation, both within her family and within the nursing profession.

For Kaphne, nursing is not merely a career—it is a lifelong mission to make a meaningful impact on the lives of her children, patients, colleagues, and future nurses.

Advancing her career to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP-BC) was a natural progression in Kaphne's professional journey. With years of experience in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, trauma, and intensive care, she sought to expand her ability to deliver high-level, direct care to critically ill patients.

Kaphne's continued determination and dedication to the field of nursing fueled her pursuit of becoming an ANCC board certified ACNP-BC. Inspired by her grandmother’s unwavering work ethic and passion for caregiving, she remained committed to professional growth.

For her, certification was a commitment to acquiring the knowledge, expertise, and credibility necessary to provide the highest standard of care.

Currently, Kaphne is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), an advanced degree that will further enhance her leadership capabilities and enable her to drive evidence-based practice, influence healthcare policy, and implement solutions to the challenges facing the nursing profession. Just as her ANCC certification marked a significant step in her career, her pursuit of a DNP reflects her dedication to lifelong learning and meaningful contributions to the field. Alongside her doctoral studies, she serves as a Clinical Preceptor for both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, mentoring the next generation of nurses as they prepare to enter the profession.

Now serving as the Department Educator and Lead Nurse Practitioner (NP) for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) at a prestigious hospital within the Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX, she leverages her extensive experience to mentor new NPs, develop educational programs, and advocate for the advancement of APPs in healthcare. 

As Program Director for conferences, Course Coordinator for the Fundamental Critical Care Support courses, and Director of the Leading Education and Advancing Professionals (LEAP) Program, Kaphne plays a pivotal role in shaping healthcare education and leadership. Additionally, as Chair or Co-Chair of multiple committees, she remains actively involved in advancing initiatives that strengthen the profession.

Her journey has truly come full circle, evolving from a young caregiver inspired by her grandmother’s dreams into a leader dedicated to advancing patient care, education, and the future of nursing.

Achieving ANCC certification is a testament to her devotion to excellence in nursing. It reflects years of rigorous education, dedication, and a deep passion for delivering the highest standard of patient care. More than a professional milestone, this certification is also a tribute to honor her grandmother, who instilled in her the essential values to help others.

Success Pays^®
Easy as 1-2-3

1. Define your organization’s success.
2. The nurse takes the initial certification test or completes renewal requirements with zero out of pocket cost.
3. Your organization increases its number of board-certified nurses, with no financial risk.

Celebrating Heart Health Awareness Month
Through the Success Pays^® Program 
Featuring the Story of Jennifer O'Brien, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CV-BC

Jennifer’s O'Brien's passion for healthcare began in ninth-grade biology, where her teacher’s enthusiasm for science and medicine, highlighted by intriguing medical cases, sparked her curiosity. Volunteering at a local hospital solidified her interest in nursing, a field that offers both intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Drawn to its blend of science, hands-on care, and versatility, she values the dynamic and evolving nature of the profession.

Jennifer is driven by the human connection at the heart of nursing. The profession challenges her to balance knowledge, compassion, skill, and vulnerability, aligning with her deeper purpose. In cardiology, where every moment and decision can be life-changing, she embraces the responsibility of providing exceptional care, continuously learning, and approaching each shift with empathy and excellence.

Her commitment to nursing stems from a deep desire to make a meaningful impact. In cardiology, where patients face life-altering conditions, she goes beyond treatment by providing both clinical expertise and compassion. Recognizing each patient’s unique journey, Jennifer delivers personalized care while continuously advancing her knowledge to ensure the highest standard of cardiovascular treatment. She focuses on building relationships with patients while providing both physical and emotional support.

Jennifer's commitment to heart health is deeply personal, shaped by her loved ones' experiences with coronary bypass surgery and the heartbreaking loss of her sister-in-law to advanced structural heart disease. These experiences emphasize the importance of prevention, and the risks associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity—highlighting the need for strong support systems, collaboration, and continuity of care.

Having witnessed the complexities of cardiomyopathy care, where accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and ongoing management are essential to both physical and emotional well-being, Jennifer understands the devastating consequences of overlooked symptoms like chest pain. This reinforces the critical need for heart disease education, early recognition, and timely intervention. In honor of her sister-in-law’s memory, she remains dedicated to advancing heart health awareness and improving patient care.

Continual learning that extends beyond mandatory requirements, fueled Jennifer's pursuit of excellence in cardiovascular nursing. Earning an ANCC certification in Cardiac Vascular (CV-BC) nursing has strengthened her confidence and professional fulfillment, ensuring she meets industry standards. By staying current with these advancements, she upholds her expertise to delivering high-quality and evidence-based care with integrity.

For Jennifer, earning CV-BC certification through the Success Pays® program removed financial obstacles and alleviated the anxiety often associated with national certification exams. She is also grateful for the personalized support and tailored guidance provided by her organization's Certification Coordinator and Certification Preparation Program, which helped her stay on track and maintain consistent progress.

Being dual certified through ANCC as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and in Cardiac Vascular Nursing (CV-BC) is important to Jennifer as it equips her to manage a broader range of patient needs. Through these certifications, she draws from a deeper knowledge base and diverse skill set to make more informed decisions and provide comprehensive care, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Recognized as the gold standard of certification, ANCC certifications validate her dedication to cardiology and advanced practice nursing across the lifespan, enhancing her skills and improving the quality of care she delivers. It also nurtures her commitment to intentional, lifelong learning and excellence, enabling her to remain adaptable and effective in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Attaining these nationally recognized certifications fills her with immense pride, reinforcing both her personal sense of achievement and professional credibility.

Interested in Success Pays^®? 

Learn how this Program can Support Your Organization

Lourdes B. Careaga, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Certification Outreach Program Manager 
successpays@ana.org

nursingworld.org/certification/success-pays/

Meet Lourdes B. Careaga, MSN, RN, NE-BC, who manages our ANCC Success Pays^® program. She is here to help support your nurses with their professional journey through ANCC certification. 

Program FAQs:

• Launched in 2013
• Over 500 Success Pays Partners
• Monthly Townhalls, hosted by Lourdes to stay connected. 

Benefits:

• Nurses are given two (2) opportunities to pass.
• The organization only pays for the nurses who pass.
• Reduces anxiety and financial barriers for nurses.
• No minimum or maximum limit for number of certification renewals.

Structure:

• A signed agreement between the organization and ANCC to promote nursing excellence through certification among clinicians.

Qualifying Programs:

• Initial Certifications
• Certification Renewals
• Retired Certified Nurses Recognition Program

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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!

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Katelyn Bern, MA
Outreach Engagement Manager &
Tradeshow Liaison 
certificationoutreach@ana.org

2024 Monthly Stories of Inspiration from ANCC Certified Nurses can be viewed by visiting our Meet the Team's page and feel free to enjoy January's story titled, Celebrating the New Year Through Examples of Mentorship. 

Please let us know if you are interested in sharing your story with us.