August 2026
Welcome from the NLN Certification Board of Commissioners. As there have been record heat adversities across the nation this summer, I hope each of you have kept as cool as possible.
Another record that occurred this summer was the number of nominations received for the Peg E. Daw NLN Certification Star Award. There are two categories of nominations (individual and organization) for this award.
Nominees demonstrate outstanding dedication to nursing education and the advancement of certification as an academic nurse educator. This year’s cohort truly exemplified “the pursuit of excellence and the advancement of certification” (NLN, 2026). I commend all who were nominated for this award.
The awardees will be recognized at the Annual Certified Nurse Educator Reception at the 2026 NLN Education Summit in Washington, DC, on September 23 at 7 p.m. Please come and celebrate with them if you are attending the Summit.
Also, a quick reminder for anyone who is up for renewal in 2026: the renewal deadline for renewal by credit is October 1. Information related to renewing your NLN certification can be found on the NLN Certification website.
Best regards,
Dr. Frank Hicks, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
Chair, Certification Board of Commissioners
Greetings. It is hard to believe that I am halfway through my first year as credentialing director. I enjoy getting to learn the “ins and outs” of the NLN Credentialing Department as well as collaborating with our volunteers.
Right now, the NLN Summit is at the forefront of everything here at the NLN HQ. NLN Certification will be represented at the Summit through the Annual Certified Nurse Educator Reception, an NLN Certification Educational Session, and a booth in the Exhibit Hall.
- Annual Certified Nurse Educator Reception: An opportunity to connect with other NLN certified educators and celebrate the recipients of the Peg E. Daw NLN Certification Star Award.
- NLN Certification Education Session: “NLN Certification: How to Achieve It, Maintain It, and Retire with It” is for anyone who is interested in becoming NLN certified, who needs a refresher on renewing, or who is planning to retire and wishes to keep their certification.
- NLN Credentialing Booth: Come meet the Credentialing Department staff and check out the Certification ‘goodies’ that will be available.
I am excited about my first Summit as director and hope to see you there.
Best regards,
Dr. Erin Killingsworth
Director of Credentialing
A Tradition of Excellence: Celebrating the Value of CNE Certification
By Roseminda Santee, DNP, MA, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF
The Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential affirms nursing education as a specialty area of practice and recognizes faculty expertise in teaching, curriculum, assessment, scholarship, and leadership. At RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing, formerly Trinitas School of Nursing in Elizabeth, New Jersey, CNE certification reflects a longstanding commitment to excellence, professional development, and student success. With locations in Elizabeth and Oceanport, New Jersey, the school continues to advance a culture grounded in educational excellence and faculty achievement.
This commitment dates to the early history of the CNE credential. On September 28, 2005, the dean and associate dean of Trinitas School of Nursing were among the candidates who passed the landmark CNE pilot examination at the NLN Education Summit in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Roseminda Santee, author of this article, was associate dean who took the examination in 2005.
In 2007, all eight full-time faculty members passed the CNE examination, making Trinitas the first nursing school faculty to achieve 100% CNE certification. This milestone strengthened the school’s pursuit of excellence and contributed to its application for and subsequent recognition as an NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education from 2008 through 2024, with redesignation in 2025 for the next five-year cycle. In 2019, with permission from NLN and Wolters Kluwer, the School of Nursing revised the position description of full-time faculty using the competencies of the nurse educator (Halstead, 2019).
The value of certification has continued through mentorship, role modeling, and shared professional commitment. CNE-certified faculty encouraged new faculty, including adjunct clinical faculty, to pursue the certification for which they qualify: Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl), Certified Nurse Educator Novice (CNEn), or CNE. This reinforces best practices in teaching and learning and strengthens the school’s collective commitment to faculty development. In 2021, at the NLN Summit, this tradition was further recognized when Trinitas School of Nursing received the NLN Certification Star Award.
Today, CNE certification remains a powerful symbol of credibility, accountability, and commitment to preparing competent, compassionate, and practice-ready nurses. As experienced CNE certified faculty choose retirement, the CNEn credential provides emerging educators with an important pathway to certification, professional growth, and continued excellence in nursing education.
Roseminda Santee retired from her position as dean of RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing in June 2026.
Reference
The Journey to the Certification Board of Commissioners
By Adrian Stamps, PhD, RN, CNE
I have worked in nursing education for the past 10 years. Along the way, I discovered a passion for item writing and improving the quality of faculty-written exams. At the school of nursing where I work, I have led initiatives, including an exam review task force, to develop resources that help faculty create stronger, more effective assessments.
After earning the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification, I began exploring volunteer opportunities with the NLN. I hoped to use my growing skillset to serve the nursing education profession on a broader scale. When I learned about avenues to contribute to the NLN Certification Division, I knew I had found a role that aligned with my interests. I remained patient and persistent, hoping an opportunity would arise.
In 2022, I was invited to join one of the NLN's Item Writing Committees for the Academic Novice Nurse Educator Certification (CNEn) exam. I was excited to contribute. For the next three years, I wrote exam items and frequently exceeded my assigned number of questions to help ensure the committee met its goals. More importantly, I learned from experienced colleagues, gained a deeper appreciation for the rigor behind the NLN Certification Division, and built relationships that opened new opportunities to serve.
In 2025, I joined the NLN CNEn Test Development Committee, where I continued to expand my understanding of the certification process. During that time, someone who had observed my contributions encouraged me to consider nominating myself for an open position on the NLN Certification Board of Commissioners. Serving on the board had not been on my radar, but their encouragement prompted me to put my name forward. I am grateful I did.
Since being elected, serving on the board has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of chairing the Certification Awards Committee while also serving on the Renewal Committee. I am especially looking forward to attending the NLN Education Summit this September for the first time as a commissioner. If you see me there, please stop and introduce yourself. I would love to meet you.
Looking back, my journey was not the result of a carefully crafted plan. Rather, it was built one opportunity at a time. I followed an interest, volunteered where I could, learned from talented colleagues, and remained open to new possibilities. Before I knew it, those experiences had prepared me to serve on the NLN Certification Board of Commissioners.
I hope sharing my journey inspires you to follow your interests and serve in a way that is rewarding for you.