WHAT
IS CERTIFICATION?
The IOMSN endorses the concept of voluntary certification by examination
for nursing professionals providing care in multiple sclerosis. Those
who work or have worked in this specialty and meet eligibility requirements
may be candidates to take this examination. Certification focuses specifically
on the individual and is an indication of knowledge and skills in MS
practice. MS nursing certification provides normal recognition of a
level of knowledge in the field and promotes delivery of safe and effective
practice in the domains of Clinical Practice (disease course and epidemiology
of MS; pathology, diagnosis, pharmacologic therapies, nonpharmacologic
therapies, psychosocial assessment and interventions), Advocacy (ethical
practice, negotiating the healthcare system, empowerment, knowledge
of the community resources, patient rights, consultation expertise);
Education (principles of teaching/learning, health promotion and change
theory, special populations professional development); and Research
(evidence based practice, protection of human subjects, research terminology
and process).