As the APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager, I want to congratulate all of our recent graduates. Earning your degree is a remarkable achievement that reflects years of dedication, rigorous coursework, clinical training, countless hours of studying, and personal sacrifice, all of which have prepared you to join a distinguished community of healthcare professionals committed to advancing patient-centered care through leadership, clinical excellence, and evidence-based practice.

Tonya L. Page, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, LSSGB, FCCS-C
APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager
certificationoutreach@ana.org

As an experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), one of my greatest joys each year is welcoming the next generation of APRNs into practice. This is your moment to celebrate all that you have accomplished. Congratulations on reaching this important milestone, and best wishes as you begin the next chapter of your nursing journey. Please know that I am here to support you throughout your career and genuinely care about your success. I encourage you to take advantage of the resources below, which are designed to help you grow and thrive in your profession.

Take the Next Step with Certification

Now that you have graduated, earning board certification is one of the first steps in demonstrating your commitment to advanced practice nursing. Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) validates your knowledge and expertise in your specialty while signaling to patients, employers, colleagues, and policymakers that you have met rigorous national standards and are prepared to provide high-quality care. View all of our active certifications below: 

Renewing Your ANCC Certification

ANCC certification is more than a credential—it reflects your commitment to lifelong learning, professional accountability, and clinical excellence. It marks the beginning of your professional journey as an APRN, not the end. As healthcare continues to evolve, maintaining your ANCC certification demonstrates your ongoing dedication to professional growth and continuing competence.  ANCC certification is renewed every five years to help nurses strengthen their knowledge, adopt emerging practices, and stay current with advances in healthcare, ensuring they continue to provide the highest standard of care throughout their careers. Review our renewal requirements below:

Leading Through Clinical Excellence & Advocacy as an APRN

My team and I are committed to supporting APRNs beyond certification by providing resources, education, and opportunities that enhance leadership and advocacy skills. Through our monthly APRN webinar series, we deliver meaningful, APRN-focused content designed to keep nurses informed, support professional development, and encourage deeper engagement in advancing the profession. Several sessions of our series highlight practical strategies for advocacy and ways APRNs can create meaningful impact at the local, state, and national levels. APRNs are uniquely positioned to lead at the point of care while advocating for the patients, communities, and healthcare systems they serve. Through every patient encounter, quality improvement initiative, educational opportunity, and policy discussion, you as an APRN will play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare. With this privilege comes responsibility: 

•  🩺 Provide evidence-based, high-quality patient care.
• ⚖️ Advocate for equitable access to healthcare services.
• 🌱 Mentor and support future nurses and APRNs.
• 🔬 Advance nursing science and innovation.
• 🏛️ Serve as a voice for the profession in policy and legislative discussions.

• 🚀 Champion full utilization of nursing expertise in addressing healthcare challenges.

Sean DeGarmo, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-BC
Director of Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach
&
Tonya L. Page, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, LSSGB, FCCS-C
APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager

The Value Becoming an ANA Member

As you begin your APRN career, American Nurses Association (ANA) membership provides opportunities to engage with the broader nursing community and contribute to the future of the profession. ANA supports nurses through: 

• 🏛️ National advocacy for nursing and patient care.
•  🌟 Leadership development opportunities.
•  📚 Continuing professional education.
• 🤝 Networking and professional engagement.
• 📈 Resources to support career growth and practice excellence.

• 🗳️ Efforts to advance nursing’s voice in healthcare policy and reform.

• 💰 Providing discounted access to initial ANCC certification and certification renewal.
•  🧾 Providing discounted access to ANA continuing education and publications.

The Future of APRN Success Starts With You

Healthcare continues to evolve, and the demand for APRNs as expert clinicians, educators, researchers, executives, entrepreneurs, and healthcare leaders has never been greater. Patients need skilled clinicians who deliver exceptional, evidence-based care. Communities need advocates who can address health disparities and promote health equity. The profession needs leaders who will advance nursing’s influence and strengthen its impact across healthcare systems. Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment. My team and I are here to support you throughout the process. To learn more about how the Advanced Practice Initiatives & Certification Outreach Team can assist you, please explore the resources offered by each team member:

Lourdes B. Careaga, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Certification Outreach Program Manager

Leads the ANCC Success Pays® program, offering guidance and support to organizations participating in or exploring the program.
📧 successpays@ana.org

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  

Carey Yarbrough, DNP, RN
Operations Manager

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

Tonya L. Page, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, LSSGB, FCCS-C
APRN Educational & Faculty Outreach Program Manager

Leads APRN program initiatives, provides guidance to APRN students and faculty, and manages the APRN Webinar Series.
📧 certificationoutreach@ana.org