ANCC's Research Program fosters, supports, and participates in research investigating the relationship between credentialing in nursing and quality outcomes in patient care. Established in November 2004, the Research Program will foster and support credentialing research through a variety of initiatives, including:

• Collaborating with other nursing organizations, universities, and research institutes to identify and design research studies that address critical credentialing-related questions.
• Participating in the credentialing-related research activities of other organizations.
• Funding credentialing-related research.

Advancing the Nursing Profession

Research on credentialing in nursing is needed to address many questions. For example, studies are needed to examine how credentialing standards and credentialing processes link to nursing competence, professional practice, patient satisfaction, patient care and safety, and the overall success of healthcare organizations in meeting their goals for protecting the public. ANCC's Research Program was founded on the belief that, in addition to improving healthcare quality for consumers, a growing body of research evidence on the impact and value of credentialing will underscore the importance of nursing to the public's health.

Evidence-Based Credentialing

Evidence-based credentialing services and practices are the foundation for quality and value in the certification, accreditation, Magnet recognition, and educational programs ANCC offers. In keeping with that commitment, ANCC's Research Program is working to formally establish and maintain the scientific basis of evidence-based credentialing practices and services both within ANCC and by partnering or collaborating with other professional nursing, healthcare, and research groups.