The Association of Clinical Research Professionals' (ACRP) Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) designation now is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a valid designation toward meeting staffing requirements of the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program.

ANCC recognition of the CCRC designation means nurses holding this designation and working in hospital-based research may be included in hospital staff requirements of the Magnet Recognition Program.

"A Magnet hospital is one that attracts and retains the best nurses by fostering an environment that inspires innovation and supports research," said Brent Ibata, a director of Operations at the Magnet-designated Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. "The number of certified nurses is one of the metrics used to evaluate a hospital's eligibility for Magnet designation, and this recognition by ANCC enhances the value of certification for the thousands of Certified Clinical Research Coordinators (CCRC) who work at hospitals, both large and small."

According to ANCC, the Magnet Recognition Program "recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high-quality nursing.”

The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program requires a certain percentage of hospital staff hold a current certification from an ANCC-recognized program, which now includes ACRP's CCRC designation. Hospitals also may use CCRC-designated nurses as a benchmark toward staffing improvements under the Magnet Recognition Program.

To be recognized by ANCC, certification credentials must be earned from a "national certification" that meets certain criteria; in particular, the program must be developed using a job analysis and must have an exam developed, maintained and analyzed using best practices in test development and psychometrics.

ACRP's CCRC currently is the only clinical research-specific designation both approved by the ANCC under the Magnet Recognition Program and accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. In January, ACRP's CCRC and Certified Physician Investigator (CPI) designations were recognized by TransCelerate Biopharma as evidence of Good Clinical Practice training.