Strengthening Social Wellness Through Storytelling
A Special Message from Katelyn Bern in Celebration of Social Wellness Month
As the Outreach Engagement Manager & Tradeshow Liaison, my goal is to provide nurses with meaningful, relevant content through social media, articles, newsletters, and by exhibiting at ANCC tradeshows. One way I bring that mission to life is through our monthly Stories of Inspiration series, which celebrates cultural heritage and national awareness observances while showcasing the diverse life events, achievements, and personal journeys of ANCC certified nurses. Through these stories, nurses are given the opportunity to inspire one another.
Katelyn Bern, MA Outreach Engagement Manager & Tradeshow Liaison
In celebration of Social Wellness Month, I recognize the importance of providing nurses with a platform to share their stories. When nurses openly share their successes, challenges, and moments of vulnerability, they help foster a supportive environment where others feel confident to be heard, seek guidance, and build impactful connections. By sharing authentic experiences, we cultivate a culture of belonging and encouragement that is essential to social wellness.
As a bilingual nurse advocate, I am passionate about empowering nurses to reach their full potential, recognizing their accomplishments, and honoring the cultural influences that have shaped their career trajectories. Regardless of where someone is in their academic or professional nursing career, a single story can provide the motivation needed to take the next step, overcome an obstacle, or pursue a path they may not have previously considered. These stories also highlight the value of specialty advancement and lifelong learning that accompany ANCC certification, providing nurses with an opportunity to validate their expertise and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to nursing excellence.
Launched in May 2024, the Stories of Inspiration series has provided more than two years of purposeful insights that have not only highlighted the pathways and milestones of nurses but have also deepened my appreciation for the resilience, dedication, and diversity within the nursing profession. I would also like to take this moment to express my gratitude to our previous Stories of Inspiration contributors. Through their willingness to share their personal stories, I have learned that storytelling:
Reduces isolation and strengthens a sense of belonging by reminding nurses they are not alone while fostering trust and collaboration within the nursing community.
Inspires growth through shared encounters by highlighting stories of challenges and successes that empower others.
Celebrates diverse perspectives by honoring the cultural backgrounds and experiences that shape nursing.
Reinforces professional development by showcasing how ANCC certification validates expertise, commitment, and specialty area.
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Storytelling Through the ANCC Success Pays® Program
Our Stories of Inspiration series extends beyond celebrating individual ANCC certified nurses—it also recognizes the nurse leaders and healthcare organizations that invest in and uplift their nurses by promoting and advocating for their pursuit of ANCC certification. One way nurse leaders can help facilitate their nurses’ certification journey is through the ANCC Success Pays® program, which helps remove barriers, expand access to certification, and create avenues for nurses to strengthen their practice.
Program FAQs:
Launched in 2013
Over 600 Success Pays Partners
Monthly townhalls with Lourdes and Katelyn to stay connected
Program 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.
Katelyn Bern, MA Outreach Engagement Manager & Tradeshow Liaison & Lourdes B. Careaga, MSN, RN, NE-BC Certification Outreach Program Manager
I also have the privilege of sharing the stories of nurses who have benefited from the Success Pays program and how it has guided their advancement in nursing, as well as the perspectives of nurse leaders who have witnessed the program’s impact on their teams, units, and organizations. The Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team sincerely thanks our Success Pays partners for their continued collaboration in supporting this program.
Are you ANCC certified? We invite you to share your story and inspire fellow nurses. Your reflections have the power to enable others to pursue ANCC certification, overcome challenges, and achieve their career goals. Together, we can foster a nursing community rooted in connection, encouragement, and shared learning that helps every nurse thrive. Click on the button below:
Supports APRN faculty by coordinating aggregate data reports and providing data to help programs analyze pass rates and overall success, while also managing team operations to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. 📝 Request Your ANCC APRN Aggregate Data
Katelyn Bern, MA Outreach Engagement Manager & Tradeshow Liaison
Manages customer engagement through social media, articles, and at ANCC tradeshows. Leads our Story of Inspiration series, which celebrates cultural heritage and personal journeys. Share your story with her today! 📝 Share Your Story
Tonya L. Page, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, LSSGB, FCCS-C
APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager
