Achieving and maintaining professional certification demonstrates commitment, dedication, and a desire to provide the highest quality nursing care to our patients. As Chair of INCC, I look forward to serving the nursing community by promoting and educating other nurses on the value and benefits of earning the CRNI® credential. I was working for an obstetrician/gynecologist when I decided to pursue nursing as a career.  Being married and the mother of a young child made me believe that higher education was out of my reach. However, I had a boss who relentlessly encouraged me to pursue my dream. After graduation, I wanted be a labor and delivery nurse but was unqualified because I could not start an IV. Instead, I worked in critical care, and the challenges I faced in the intensive care and cardiac care units helped polish my infusion therapy skills. Eleven years later, I accepted a position on a newly created IV/PICC Team. Placing PICCs and administering chemotherapy were skills new to me. I developed a bond with an IV Team partner and nurse mentor who encouraged me. She convinced me that we could and should earn our certification in infusion therapy. We joined our local INS chapter and found a nurse who gave us support and guidance. We passed the CRNI® exam and became the first CRNI®s in our hospital. We were recognized by our peers for our accomplishment, which gave us the confidence we needed to improve infusion therapy for our patients. Today, I am the Director of Clinical Education for Norton Cancer Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare, in Louisville, Kentucky. My position is multifaceted and includes planning educational programs, overseeing skill competencies, and chairing the oncology-IV matrix committee that writes and revises policies and procedures. The nursing supply chain committee depends on my evaluation of evidence in selecting proven IV products. One of my goals was to obtain a Master’s degree in Health Administration, and that goal was completed in March, 2010. During my studies, I became interested in government policies related to health care and nursing. I believe changes in nursing practice are on the horizon, and those nurses who have gained credibility through higher education and professional certification will be prepared to make the high-level decisions that will affect all healthcare professionals.

Pamela Jacobs, MHA, BSN, RN,  CRNI®, OCN®  Chair, INCC Board of Directors *CRNI® is a registered trademark of the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation