The first week in May is the week of the American Association of Poison Control Center’s national examination for Certified Specialists in Poison Information. As employees of Indiana Poison Center, passing this examination is central to our continued careers – we all must be certified to work at the Center. Certification involves passing the exam the initial time and then re-certifying every 7 years.
Four of my colleagues are taking the exam this year, 2 re-certifying and 2 certifying for the first time. Naturally the anxiety level around the center has been high. People are constantly quizzing each other, researching answers on-line, even digging out textbooks to confirm their conclusions.
While I appreciate the natural nervousness that comes with taking exams, especially exams upon which one’s job is dependent, I am always glad to see exam time come around each year. It does wonders for the level of intellectual stimulation in the center! Instead of approaching days as routine, RNs are starting each day looking for new and different things “that might be on the test.” “Old” topics are reviewed and novel themes are discovered. Fresh approaches to known subjects are suddenly found, resulting in new knowledge.
It would be delightful if we could each find it within ourselves to keep that “study” mindset available year round. If we were always open and ready to learn, actively seeking knowledge, not just waiting for it to be fed to us, think what a difference it would make in our careers and our enjoyment of them!
Gwenn
Gwenn Christianson, MSN, RN, CSPI
Senior Partner and Team Leader
Indiana Poison Center, Methodist Hospital
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Registered Nursing Position Indiana.
Four of my colleagues are taking the exam this year, 2 re-certifying and 2 certifying for the first time. Naturally the anxiety level around the center has been high. People are constantly quizzing each other, researching answers on-line, even digging out textbooks to confirm their conclusions.
While I appreciate the natural nervousness that comes with taking exams, especially exams upon which one’s job is dependent, I am always glad to see exam time come around each year. It does wonders for the level of intellectual stimulation in the center! Instead of approaching days as routine, RNs are starting each day looking for new and different things “that might be on the test.” “Old” topics are reviewed and novel themes are discovered. Fresh approaches to known subjects are suddenly found, resulting in new knowledge.
It would be delightful if we could each find it within ourselves to keep that “study” mindset available year round. If we were always open and ready to learn, actively seeking knowledge, not just waiting for it to be fed to us, think what a difference it would make in our careers and our enjoyment of them!
Gwenn
Gwenn Christianson, MSN, RN, CSPI
Senior Partner and Team Leader
Indiana Poison Center, Methodist Hospital
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Registered Nursing Position Indiana.
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