How specialty nursing certifications affect patient care and costs in hospitals

The impact of specialty nursing certification on patient outcomes and costs in acute care: An individual value-added performance analysis

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11090400

This study looks at how having special certifications helps nurses provide better care and possibly lower costs for patients in hospitals, so we can understand if it's worth it for hospitals to support their nurses in getting these certifications.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11090400 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of specialty certifications held by registered nurses on patient outcomes and healthcare costs in acute care settings. By collaborating with a large healthcare system, the study will analyze data linking nurse certifications to patient care performance and overall costs. The goal is to provide robust evidence on whether these certifications lead to better patient care and to inform hospitals about the value of investing in their nursing workforce.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients receiving care in acute settings where certified specialty nurses are employed.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in acute care settings or who are treated by nurses without specialty certifications may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare spending by providing evidence on the value of specialty nursing certifications.

How similar studies have performed: While there is some existing evidence on the impact of nursing certifications, this research aims to provide more definitive insights, making it a novel approach in this area.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.