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The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team

Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month  

Embracing Heritage, Empowering Communities:
The Journey of Elmer Amparo, MSN, FNP-BC

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander #AANHPI Heritage Month, we celebrate the remarkable journey of Elmer Amparo, MSN, FNP-BC, a Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) member and dedicated nurse whose commitment to excellence and compassion has left an indelible mark on the healthcare landscape.

Roots of Inspiration: Elmer's journey into nursing was deeply rooted in his family's legacy of service. Raised in a household where compassion and care were paramount, Elmer was inspired by his parents and aunt, successful nurses, to follow in their footsteps. Their unwavering support and guidance fueled his passion for nursing, instilling in him the values of empathy, diligence, and dedication.

Pursuing Excellence: Guided by his innate desire to make a meaningful difference, Elmer embarked on a journey of continuous learning and professional growth. His decision to pursue certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) was driven by a
fervent desire to expand his

knowledge and skill set, enabling him to provide comprehensive care to his patients across diverse settings. With a clear vision of his career goals, Elmer embraced each challenge as an opportunity for growth, consistently striving for excellence in every endeavor.

The Significance of ANCC Certification: For Elmer, being #ANCCCertified represents more than just a professional achievement; it symbolizes a commitment to excellence and a dedication to the highest standards of nursing practice. It signifies his unwavering dedication to advancing his skills and knowledge to better serve his patients and communities. ANCC certification serves as a testament to Elmer's expertise, proficiency, and unwavering commitment to delivering quality care to those in need.

Philosophy: Elmer's nursing philosophy is rooted in the core principles of compassion, cultural sensitivity, and holistic care. He believes in treating each patient with dignity and respect, honoring their unique perspectives and preferences. As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Elmer embodies the essence of patient-centered care, advocating for the well-being of individuals and families while promoting health and wellness at every opportunity.

In his pursuit of excellence, Elmer remains steadfast in his commitment to serving as a beacon of hope and healing for his patients and communities. His ambition to provide compassionate care to individuals of all ages reflects his belief in the transformative power of nursing to uplift and empower lives. With unwavering dedication and boundless compassion, Elmer continues to inspire those around him, leaving a lasting legacy of healing, hope, and resilience.

Supporting the Community: In 2023, as a primary care provider and nurse practitioner in a grant-funded health initiative sponsored by the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) of Montgomery County, MD, Elmer worked alongside a nurse and a social worker, to provide free medical consultations and health support services for underprivileged and uninsured Asian Americans residing in the county.

Elmer is also honored to be the recipient of the 2024 PNAA National Excellence Achievement Award: COMMUNITY & POPULATION HEALTH NURSE AWARD. His poster presentation titled "Visibility Through Professional Engagement in Community Service" has been accepted for the 45th PNAA National Convention, which will be hosted by the Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California at the Westin Long Beach Hotel, CA, this coming July 17-20, 2024. 

As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, let us honor the remarkable contributions of nurses like Elmer Amparo, whose unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence continue to enrich and transform the fabric of our healthcare community.

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

Success Pays^® is Here to Help You! 

Naomi Pollara, MSN, RN, NPD-BC and her experience as an #ANCCCertified Nurse using the ANCC Success Pays program.  

As National Nurses Week falls within the month of May, the Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team wants to take this time to honor all nurses and highlight Naomi Pollara, MSN, RN, NPD-BC who became certified under the ANCC Success Pays program. 

Naomi decided to become a nurse when she was in high school seeing her mother undergo treatment for ovarian cancer. Her mother's nurses were kind, supportive, and knowledgeable. Naomi knew she wanted to emulate these qualities with her patients one day. 

Close to two decades later, she continues to choose the nursing profession because she believes nurses have the power to help, heal, and have an impact on so many lives. 

After obtaining her master’s degree in nursing education, Naomi wanted to achieve her Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC) certification. Certification not only marks one as an expert it also signifies a commitment to that specialty, ongoing nursing professionalism and continual growth. Naomi wants to be a role model for her peers and hopes that they never stop learning, growing, and achieving their goals.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center has a long history of supporting nursing excellence through education, certification, and leadership. As a nurse who has spent the majority of her career at a fourth time designated Magnet organization, she knows the honor of being recognized by the ANCC and is proud to be certified by a respected organization in nursing.

Having the support of her organization, South Shore Health (SSH), and the ANCC Success Pays program, has made certification possible for her. The leadership at SSH has role modeled the value of certification by providing the opportunity to take certification exams through the Success Pays program. Having a second chance to retake the exam, if needed, removed some of the pressure while preparing and she believes this was the reason why she was successful on the first try!

Interested in Success Pays^®? 

Learn how this Program can Support Your Organization

Lourdes B. Careaga, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC
Senior Certification Outreach Specialist 
successpays@ana.org

nursingworld.org/certification/success-pays/

Meet Lourdes B. Careaga, MSN, RN, CMSRN, 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

Share Your Story with Us! 

Connect with Us if you are Interested in Providing a Testimonial

Meet Katelyn Bern, MA, who manages customer engagement through social media and at ANCC tradeshows. Reach out to her if you would like to share your motivational story with us and what being #ANCCCertified means to you! 

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• ANCC Certification Facebook
• Meet the Team

Katelyn Bern, MA
Certification Outreach Specialist  
certificationoutreach@ana.org